Looking for a holiday rental in Umbria? Use the bar below to search for suitable holiday accommodation in Umbria. Spoleto, a 'must-see' city in the South of Umbria. Here we have gathered some pictures of Spoleto. You can find information and pictures of the area around Spoleto also on the South East Umbria 1 and South East Umbria 2 pages. The pictures of Spoleto in this page have been made by Silvio Sorcini and he has kindly given us the permission to use them here. Back to Information about Umbria page (with map of Umbria) Some historic background of Spoleto Spoleto, an important Umbrian centre, in the 3th century began to come in the Roman orbit, until it became a colony, called Spoletium, in 241 B.C. The town remained always loyal to Rome, especially during the war between Hannibal and the Romans, when it repelled the enemy. In about 100 B.C. it was, according to what Cicerone says, one of the richest and most beautiful colonies in Central Italy, and in 90 B.C. it became Municipio optime jure, belonging to the Horatia tribe; it was also Caio Melisso's native city. Then the town followed the vicissitudes of the Roman Empire: it was converted to Christianity, and was invaded by barbarian tribes – passed there Teodorico, Belisario, Totila and Narsete. Later Spoleto was occupied by the Longobards and became the capital of the important Duchy of Spoleto, which began in 569 with Faroaldo I. On the fall of the Longobard dominion the Duchy passed under the rule of the Franks, and when their empire was dismembered, the dukes of Spoleto aspired to the imperial crown itself: the plan could not be realised because of the German intervention led by Frederick Barbarossa who, come to Italy to meet the Pope, destroyed the town in 1155. Contended between Empire and Papal State, Spoleto was finally subjected to the latter from 1247. After long years of struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines the town was pacified by Cardinal Albornoz and became a very important centre: among its governors there was also the famous Lucrezia Borgia, in 1499. Spoleto passed through centuries of history in the ultra-conservatism of the Papal State, alternating periods of greater or lesser splendour, without any shocks until the French occupation: in that period the town became chief town of the Trasimeno District, surpassing in importance Perugia itself. After the Restoration Spoleto was a seat of the Papal Delegation: the papal rule lasted until 17 September 1860, when the town was incorporated in the Kingdom of Italy.   Roman remains in Spoleto The Roman Bridge The so-called Ponte Sanguinario was built in the 1st century BC, in the period when the Via Flaminia was improved by order of Augusto: formed from large blocks of travertine, it is 24 metres long, 4,5 metres wide and 8 metres high, divided into three arches; now it is in part subterranean. According to what some history scholars say, the name "sanguinario" derives from the fact that many Christian martyrs were murdered in this zone. The bridge was abandoned because the stream Tessino changed its course. Discovered in 1817, it was placed underground so that people could pass through Leonina Gate. The Roman Theatre Built in the 1st century AD, with a diameter 70 metres long, the structure was long buried underground and not easily identifiable because of the various medieval buildings that had arisen around it; it was totally restored only in 1954. One can admire part of the old flooring and other remains. Important cultural events are held in it each year. Triumphal Arch of Druso Erected in the 1st century AD by order of the Senato to honour Druso, Tiberio's son, and Germanico, it formed the entrance to the ancient Foro. Although partly hemmed in by more recent buildings, the arch still retains all its original beauty and classical balance. Arch of Momtarone This construction dates back to the 3rd century BC and its remains still reveal the massive architectural structure. Roman Temple Its ruins can be seen under the church of S. Ansano, near the crypt of S. Isacco. Amphitheatre There are only a few remains; built in the 2nd century outside the walls, it was transformed by Totila into fortress, then it was dismantled by order of Cardinale Albornoz to obtain stones. Walls The oldest ones can be admired along Cecili street; erected between the 5th and the 1st centuries BC, they show three different techniques of building: with polygonal, square and rectangular blocks.     Events in Spoleto Prose Season Spoleto - October - end of March Spoleto Summer Festival 2008 - July - August 2008 Noel's Market - December and First week of January Spoleto opera season - whole year  Spoleto festival - First two weeks of July   Car rental

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