Porta San Donato
Day Trips:
Towns near Gualdo Tadino
.
Fossato di Vico
The lovely and quiet old fortress town
of Fossato di Vico
is a step back in time.
Only 9 km. (5 1/2 miles)
from Gualdo Tadino,
it's just a few minutes' drive away.
Bring your camera
and enjoy the wonderful architecture
and views over the valley.
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Fabriano
Fabriano in Le Marche is only 24 km. (15 mi.) away.
Fabriano in Le Marche is only 24 km. (15 mi.) away.
It was one of the earliest places
to make high quality paper on an industrial scale,
starting in the 13th century,
which made it a very prosperous town
in the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
to make high quality paper on an industrial scale,
starting in the 13th century,
which made it a very prosperous town
in the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
.
There are many churches and monuments,
as well as a great deal of medieval architecture
to be discovered by the history buff, and it's fun to stroll through the town center and visit the shops and restaurants.
as well as a great deal of medieval architecture
to be discovered by the history buff, and it's fun to stroll through the town center and visit the shops and restaurants.
.
Gubbio
Beautiful ancient Gubbio is only 16 miles (26 km.) northwest of Gualdo Tadino. You can find a lot going on there
at all times
of the year.
In May check out "The Racing Silk of the Crossbow"
and the "Ceri Race Festival".
Every Tuesday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. enjoy the local market.
Beautiful ancient Gubbio is only 16 miles (26 km.) northwest of Gualdo Tadino. You can find a lot going on there
at all times
of the year.
In May check out "The Racing Silk of the Crossbow"
and the "Ceri Race Festival".
Every Tuesday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. enjoy the local market.
The National Exhibition Market
happens every year
at the end of October and beginning of November,
celebrating local truffles,
exquisite foods, and local handicrafts
(ceramics, wrought steel,
embroidery, wood, leather, stucco.)
happens every year
at the end of October and beginning of November,
celebrating local truffles,
exquisite foods, and local handicrafts
(ceramics, wrought steel,
embroidery, wood, leather, stucco.)
The permanent show of artwork and sacred objects
related to St. Ubaldo,
bishop and patron saint of Gubbio,
is open in the Basilica of St. Ubaldo.
The ceramic works of Aldo Ajò
are on display at the artist's studio home
in Via delle Cattedrale 20
by appointment only from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
related to St. Ubaldo,
bishop and patron saint of Gubbio,
is open in the Basilica of St. Ubaldo.
The ceramic works of Aldo Ajò
are on display at the artist's studio home
in Via delle Cattedrale 20
by appointment only from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
.
Assisi
This beautiful town made famous
by St. Francis
lies only 20 miles
(32 km) southwest
of Gualdo Tadino.
The Basilica of
San Francesco,
one of Italy's foremost monuments, was built between 1228 and 1253 A.D.
This beautiful town made famous
by St. Francis
lies only 20 miles
(32 km) southwest
of Gualdo Tadino.
The Basilica of
San Francesco,
one of Italy's foremost monuments, was built between 1228 and 1253 A.D.
.
The short period of construction, rare for a church of this size, is often explained
as a measure
of the great love that the people
of the time had for
St. Francis.
as a measure
of the great love that the people
of the time had for
St. Francis.
By the mid 1400's
pilgrims were flocking to Assisi
from all parts of Europe
and today the walled medieval town
and its grand basilica
are among the most visited of Christian shrines.
pilgrims were flocking to Assisi
from all parts of Europe
and today the walled medieval town
and its grand basilica
are among the most visited of Christian shrines.
The entire town
and particularly the Basilica
have a definite atmosphere of peacefulness
that awakens and stimulates
that same characteristic
in the human heart.
In this regard it is perhaps more fitting
to call such sacred sites
empowerment places
rather than power places.
One of the most exciting events of the year in Assisi is Calendimaggio,
which takes place
the Thursday through Saturday after May 1.
and particularly the Basilica
have a definite atmosphere of peacefulness
that awakens and stimulates
that same characteristic
in the human heart.
In this regard it is perhaps more fitting
to call such sacred sites
empowerment places
rather than power places.
One of the most exciting events of the year in Assisi is Calendimaggio,
which takes place
the Thursday through Saturday after May 1.
See a Youtube video of Calendimaggio
.
Spello
Often called "The Little Sister of Assisi", charming little Spello is only 37 km
(23 miles) from
Gualdo Tadino.
Often called "The Little Sister of Assisi", charming little Spello is only 37 km
(23 miles) from
Gualdo Tadino.
Not a big tourist town,
it nevertheless offers the visitor
pleasurable discoveries and pleasant walking tours.
it nevertheless offers the visitor
pleasurable discoveries and pleasant walking tours.
Three well preserved Roman stone arches
form entry points to the town:
Porta Venere, Porta Urbica,
and Porta Consolare.
form entry points to the town:
Porta Venere, Porta Urbica,
and Porta Consolare.
Within these arches you can wander
through cobblestone streets and alleys
and visit intriguing little shops,
including a wonderful little shop
that specializes in ceramic lamps and chandeliers.
(One of these chandeliers can be seen
in the photo of the living room
of Porta San Donato.)
through cobblestone streets and alleys
and visit intriguing little shops,
including a wonderful little shop
that specializes in ceramic lamps and chandeliers.
(One of these chandeliers can be seen
in the photo of the living room
of Porta San Donato.)
The biggest event of the year in Spello
is the Infiorata,
the flower festival.
Flower petals are used
to create amazing works of art
in the streets or in abbeys,
an incredibly beautiful sight.
Several different panels are created,
each with a different picture,
but often centered around a theme.
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Perugia
The capital
of the province, Perugia is 29 miles (47 km) southwest of Gualdo Tadino.
The capital
of the province, Perugia is 29 miles (47 km) southwest of Gualdo Tadino.
A major center for the arts,
Perugia is the home
of the famous Umbria Jazz Festival.
Perugia is the home
of the famous Umbria Jazz Festival.
In October, chocoholics go mad for
"Eurochocolate".
Festival goers will find all kinds of chocolate,
including candy, cake, hot chocolate,
beauty products, and aromatherapy.
During the festival,
nightlife in Perugia also features chocolate,
and there are cooking classes
and special exhibits.
Over one million visitors attend the chocolate festival,
so the best time to go
is during the week when it's less crowded.
nightlife in Perugia also features chocolate,
and there are cooking classes
and special exhibits.
Over one million visitors attend the chocolate festival,
so the best time to go
is during the week when it's less crowded.
Perugia boasts museums, grand buildings,
lots of music and other arts,
the University, language courses,
open air markets, great shops,
and much more.
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Spoleto
High above Spoleto is the Rocca, a Papal fortress which was used as a prison until the 1980's.
High above Spoleto is the Rocca, a Papal fortress which was used as a prison until the 1980's.
Guided tours escort visitors around the fortress.
The views are incredible,
and the interiors fascinating.
The views are incredible,
and the interiors fascinating.
Famous for its "Festival of Two Worlds"
every summer,
Spoleto is 37 miles (60 km.)
south of Gualdo Tadino.
Spoleto festival lasts for two weeks
and takes place at the end of June
and beginning of July.
The town is very busy at that time of year
and accommodations are difficult to find,
but you can stay at Porta San Donato in Gualdo Tadino
and drive or take the train to Spoleto!
every summer,
Spoleto is 37 miles (60 km.)
south of Gualdo Tadino.
Spoleto festival lasts for two weeks
and takes place at the end of June
and beginning of July.
The town is very busy at that time of year
and accommodations are difficult to find,
but you can stay at Porta San Donato in Gualdo Tadino
and drive or take the train to Spoleto!
The town's Pinacoteca, or art museum, occupies part of the city hall,
and contains works by Umbrian masters
including Perugino.
Spoleto's Roman ruins include a Roman theater,
just off Piazza della Libertà.
An archeological museum next door
houses statues and artefacts found locally.
There are also two Roman arches visible,
the Arco Romano and the Arco di Druso,
and a Casa Romana or Roman house
- an atmospheric spot with attractive mosaics.
just off Piazza della Libertà.
An archeological museum next door
houses statues and artefacts found locally.
There are also two Roman arches visible,
the Arco Romano and the Arco di Druso,
and a Casa Romana or Roman house
- an atmospheric spot with attractive mosaics.
portasandonato.com