5 things to do in Todi, Umbria

Dec 6, 2019 | Things to do in Umbria | 0 comments

A while ago, we visited Todi in Umbria during the Archery tournament that takes place each spring. In this blog, we again take you to this quaint medieval town in Umbria and suggest ‘5 things to do in Todi’.

Todi

Todi (ancient Tuder) is a small elegant hilltop town that dominates the Tiber valley. It has retained three sets of walls dating from the Etruscan, Roman and Medieval period. Todi also is a pleasant town to visit with a variety of restaurants, boutiques and coffee shops, as well as many interesting historical sights.

View of Todi

Chiesa San Fortunato

At the Piazza Umberto I is the church San Fortunato. Todi is the birthplace of the Franciscan poet Jacopone. The tomb of Jacopone is located in this church. Its facade was designed by Lorenzo Maitani who also was the designer of the cathedral in Orvieto. 

Chiesa San Fortunato, Todi

Chiesa San Fortunato, Todi

Around the Piazza del Popolo

The palaces and buildings around the main square are all in Gothic and Renaissance style. The square is called the Piazza del Popolo, ‘square of the people’, and is in fact the place where locals meet. 

There are three important buildings here: Palazzo del Popolo (oldest communal buildings in Italy), Palazzo del Capitano and the Palazzo dei Priori.

Piazza del Popolo, Todi

Palazzo del Popolo

The ground floor of the Palazzo del Popolo features a beautiful colonnade. This building is connected with the Palazzo del Capitano, where the Pinacoteca and the Museo Civico are located.

The Palazzo dei Priori with the bronze eagle at the top of the building is right in front of the cathedral. It is the symbol of Todi.

Civic museum and Pinacoteca

At the Piazza del Popolo on the second floor of the 13th century Palazzo del Capitano is the civic museum and the Pinacoteca. It is a small museum that showcases the history of Todi from Etruscan to Renaissance period. In some small rooms you can even admire archaeological finds such as coins, fabrics, ceramics and paintings.

Tickets for the museum are available at the info point in Todi. The entrance fee is 5 Euro per person.

Civic museum and Pinacoteca, Todi

Circuito Museale Todi

The painting of Giovanni di Pietro alias Lo Spagna

One of the most interesting masterpieces in the Pinacoteca is the painting “Coronation of the Virgin” by Giovanni di Pietro also called Lo Spagna. The altarpiece “Coronation of the Virgin” was completed in 1511.

Lo Spagna was a protagonist of Umbrian pictorial art between the VI and XVI centuries. For many years the church Montesanto in Todi represented this paining behind the altar.

Pinacoteca, Todi, Coronation of the Virgin or Lo Spagno, Giovanni di Pietro

Duomo

The Duomo is prominently standing to one side of the Piazza del Popolo and dates back to the  12th century. It has been renovated over the centuries. The pink and white marble façade decorated with rosette windows from 1515 are certainly worth a visit.

The interior is beautiful. You’ll find two paintings from Lo Spagna and at the back is a 16th century fresco: The Last Judgment of Farraù di Faenza.

Duomo of Todi

Piazza Garibaldi

The Piazza Garibaldi square is immediately next to the Piazza del Popolo and has a breathtaking view of the beautiful Umbrian landscape.

View from Piazza Garibaldi in Todi

Santa Maria della Consolazione

Outside the town walls is the 16th century church Santa Maria delle Consolozione. This church is a symbol of Renaissance style architecture. The design of the church is attributed to Bramante and has a Greek-cross plan with an impressive dome on top. It was completed in 1607. Santa Maria della Consolazione is surrounded by green fields, in a scenic valley, a real eye catcher in Todi.

Santa Maria della Consolazione

Market in Todi

Every Saturday in Todi from 8 am to 1 pm is the weekly market in Via Pozzo Beccaro, a small street heading to the Santa Maria della Consolazione church. At the market are mainly stalls where you can buy clothes, shoes and kitchen utensils. I have seen at least three porchetta trucks at the local market. The porchetta sandwiches in Todi are really outstanding.

If you are in Todi in Autumn the yearly San Martino market also is worth a visit.

Porchetta at the weekly market in Todi

Holiday rentals near Todi

Do you want to explore Todi and visit Umbria? Here are some places to stay in the surrounding area. 

La Camilla private villa with pool near Todi

La Camilla private villa with pool near Todi, 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms

Todi House private villa for large groups in Umbria

Todi House private villa for large groups

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