HTT - Hill Towns Tours

Nestled into the slope of Monte Subasio and laying above a rich, splendid expanse of land, Spello is surely one of the most beautiful towns of the Belpaese, also known as Italy. Spello was founded by the Umbrians and later named Hispellum during the Roman Empire. Caesar declared the town a “splendid Julian colony”. The city wall was much larger and greater in the past than the remains that we see and admire today, but they give us an idea of the greatness the town possessed. The same goes for the archaeological remains

surrounding it. However, it is not just the city walls that give evidence of its importance during the age of the Roman Empire. In fact, of the cities in this area, Spello offers the largest quantity of evidence for this period, seen in the theater, amphitheater, thermal baths, and the various gates giving entry into the city. These include the Porta Urbica, the Porta Venere from the Augustan period, and the Porta Consolare, which was already the main entrance even at the time of Roman settlement. The gate opens into the city wall and consists of three doors, topped by three statues from the Roman republic era that were found near the amphitheater. Next to the gate is a Medieval tower with an olive tree planted on top as a sign of peace and also representing the most traditional local product—olive oil.
Upon entering the city, you will find the narrow alleys and streets immediately fascinating. Then, moving your glance upwards, your attention will be grabbed by the majestic tower houses, which were built using the pink and white limestone extracted from Monte Subasio. Climbing upward you will reach the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, already known in the 11th century but completed in 1285. In the 1600’s the church underwent some important constructional changes that transformed its original body. The façade was also substituted but still contains some Roman friezes in its portal. Although the church has this beautiful façade, it really becomes unique when you step inside, where it feels like you are walking into an art gallery. The Baglioni chapel, situated on the left side of the church, stands out the most for its beauty. The frescoes were done in 1501 by Pinturicchio, an Umbrian painter praised for his decorative, joyful, and polite style. The floor was laid in the 16th century using majolica from the city of Deruta. The Palazzo dei Canonici is right next to the church, and continuing along you will come upon the church of Sant’Andrea, which also contains works by Pinturicchio.
The heart of the city is the Piazza della Repubblica, home to the Palazzo Comunale , or town hall. This is obviously where you will find the oldest shops offering traditional products

of the area. From here, as you continue to climb up towards the highest part of town, you will pass by the Terziere Pusterola (the city is divided into three different districts: Mezota, Pusterola, and Porta Chiusa) where you will be immersed in breathtaking views that open up over the valley, charming narrow streets such as Via Fontanello and Borgo del Teatro, and small plazas that offer a spot to kick back and relax. Finally upon reaching the Belvedere up top, you will find large blocks of stone that were used in ancient Roman buildings and that will remind you of the centuries of history that you have just strolled through.
One final note must be made regarding the most famous local product of the area, the extra virgin olive oil, which is among the most prized in Italy. It can be sampled on bruschetta, bread toasted in a wood oven. There is an olive oil festival on the next to last Sunday of Carnival, which celebrates the end of the olive harvest. The olive pickers first have a parade on their tractors, serve the bruschetta with new oil, and follow with a bit of folk music and dancing. The black truffle is another excellent product of the area, gathered in the nearby woods, as well as the millefiori honey known for its wonderful scent and clearness, the Vino Grechetto, Merlot and Sangiovese.

HTT - Hill Towns Tours HTT - Hill Towns Tours HTT - Hill Towns Tours