Location: Spoleto
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What to do and see in Spoleto, Italy: The Best Places and Tips
A wonderful mix of remnants from its Roman and medieval pasts, Spoleto’s history actually goes back further to Bronze Age Umbria. Today, it’s best known for its annual summer Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of Two Worlds or Spoleto Festival), honoring music, opera, theater and dance. Among the city’s many excellent historic sights are its first-century Roman amphitheatre, the 12th-century Duomo, 13th-century Ponte delle Torri aqueduct and the 14th-century hilltop fortress, Rocca Albornoziana.
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1. Duomo di Spoleto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By lollygal - New York City, New York
The Cathedral is a beautiful Romanesque church with frescoes and interior flair. We spent some time quietly viewing the art and taking time to reflect inside this beautiful historic building.
2. Giro dei Condotti
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By Catgirl8 - New England
You will not be disappointed walking this hike along Spoleto's beautiful hillside. It is easy to hike/walk because a majority of it is level. Some people run the trail, too. From the entrance to Ponte delle Torri, walk across the bridge southbound. When you come to the end of the bridge, turn to the right and you will see a sign up ahead on the left for the trail. The initial climb upwards to the trail is rocky and uneven so wear appropriate footwear. You will then arrive on the trail that heads eastward into the forest at times, while offering spectacular scenery the whole way. You will see the famous landmarks of Spoleto in all their glory -- La Rocca (the fortress) stands proudly atop of Spoleto with the Ponte delle Torri below. It is a view that offers a beautiful perspective from the other side of Spoleto's central area and shouldn't be missed.
Take your camera because you will have plenty of opportunities to take fantastic photos from the hillside toward Spoleto. I have done this walk during the day and at sunset, and sunset is the most beautiful. Watching the sun go down over this landscape is amazing. La Rocca and the bridge are lit up at night, which adds a majestic touch. You can follow the trail for quite a while and eventually it leads toward the church of San Salvatore. In certain seasons there are lovely flowering trees and wildflowers along the trail, as well. It is so serene up there, it is magical at times.
One other way to reach the trail is to take the road up toward Monteluco by foot (or more easily by car). There is a very small parking area where you can stop and enter the trail from the west side. Here you can also admire the views without having to hike the trail. So for those with physical limitations, I advise this entrance because it is much easier to access.
I can't say enough good things about this tranquil nature trail - a heavenly path that takes you through one of Umbria's prettiest areas. Magnificent!
3. Piazza del Duomo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 616 reviews
Reviewed By ValerieJo18 - Chicago, Illinois
Have been here 4 times, always something going on, such as weddings, or setting up or dismantling for concert venue, even saw TV show being filmed here once. Wonderful setting, and lovely, cool place to sit and reflect for a few minutes.
4. The Tower's Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Built in 1350 AD to create an easy access road to Montelucco, this stately bridge is 264 feet high and 760 feet long, and features nine tall pylons that separate its narrow graceful arches.
Reviewed By VadimM67 - Murmansk, Russia
You can get here by foot or by escalator. Tower bridge is 800 metres to the East of piazza del Mercato). It is built over a mountain gorge through which the river Tessino flows. 9-arch`structure connects St`Elia hill and mount Montelucco. Two fortresses la Rocca Albornoziana and Fortilizio dei Mulini located on both sides of the bridge. Its the height of the bridge is about 80 meters, Its length is about 230 meters. 9 arches supporting the bridge are built of blocks of local limestone. There`re niches in the Central piers. Earlier, apparently, they were used for patrol purposes. The arches are of different lengths, so we can suggest that they were built at different times. It is not known exactly when the bridge was built. Maybe the bridge was constructed as an aqueduct during the time of ancient Rome. Maybe it happened in the later middle ages after 1363. In any case, there`s nothing of ancient in the bridge now. We are unable to pass the bridge, it was closed.
5. Basilica di San Salvatore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By Embrace_Life_Now - Old Orchard Beach, Maine
The Basilica of San Salvatore is just a 6-minute walk from the bottom of the set of escalators that lead down from Spoleto's Duomo and Ponzianina areas. Considered to be one of Italy's oldest churches, it was built using Roman salvaged remains. This is apparent when you view the inside because there is not the usual continuity with its architecture and decorative elements. It is rather simple inside yet it's a stunning example of early Christian thinking. Located below the basilica is a lovely cemetery whose tombs and gravestones are art in themselves. Take time to meander through the rows of tombs adoringly embellished with fresh flowers, statues, and photographs of the deceased. From here you can also catch some nice views of Spoleto's hilltop to the southwest. The church is free to enter and during the high season it is open late.
6. Museo Archeologico Nazionale
Overall Ratings
4 based on 144 reviews
Reviewed By Mike R - Colchester, UK
Having eventually found the entrance to the Roman Theatre hidden down a side street, we were delighted to discover the associated archeological museum, which is on two floors but easily accessible. The exhibits are well laid out and the whole place is airy, comfortable and visitor-friendly. Best value deal is to buy a Spoleto Card or 'Red Card' valid for 7 days which allows entrance to all the town's main museums.
7. Teatro Romano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By John4One - Weybridge, United Kingdom
As Roman theatres go, this doesn't rate that highly, although certainly one of the main site in this lovely town. The entrance fee is only a Euro, although the best views looking down upon the theatre from the Piazza dela Libertà are free.
8. La Rocca
Overall Ratings
4 based on 564 reviews
Reviewed By VadimM67 - Murmansk, Russia
The fortress is named after the Spanish cardinal Albornoz - initiator of the construction. It was built in 1363-1367 year as the residence of the Pope. These were the years of the return of the popes in Italy after the so-called "Avignon captivity", when the Holy see was in the French Avignon. The power of the fortress was to support the tottering authority of the Catholic Church. However, it was not supposed to be just a fortress, but a comfortable residence. Architect Matteo Gattaponi solved this dual task is simply dividing the fortress into two parts: the courtyard of arms and the court of honor. Pope Nicholas V fled here from the Roman plague. Famous Lucrezia Borgia have been here. She was the sister of Cesare Borgia, used as the prototype of "the Prince" Nicolo Machiavelli. If some historians are right, it was an incestuous relationship between brother and sister spread their father, the Pope of Alexander VI Borgia. Who knows, maybe passions were running high in the alcoves of the fortress Albornoz? By the way, Lucrezia was pregnant that time. However, this could be only in that part of the castle, which costs 7.5 euros. You can reach the fortress on the escalator or on foot. We are not looking for easy life and took off through the city. Reading the reviews about the fortress, I don't think I will see something extraordinary. I was sorry to pay 7.5 euros. The types of Spoleto and Umbria do not differ fundamentally from the walls or bottom. You can enter the inner courtyard of the fortress for free. This is the court of arms. To get into the courtyard of honour and the Museum of the Duchy of Spoleto is possible just for money. The Museum operates since 2007. The castle was a prison for 100 years before that. Until 1982.
9. Chiesa di San Ponziano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By WelshToro - Birmingham, United Kingdom
San Ponziano was the last place my wife and I visited on our trip to Spoleto a couple of years ago. We were pretty worn out following a hard day's cultural slog but it turned out to be a highlight. I'm astonished that this is the first review for this place written in English.
Getting here involves a walk outside the city walls but it's a small distance to the church of San Salvatore, which is not to be missed, so definitely worth it. The exterior is 12th century Romanesque and promises much. The inside, however, is disappointing as it resembles a small town church in the Baroque style. In the far corner is the entry to the crypt which is not always guaranteed to be open. We were extremely fortunate as a local guide was passing by to lock up and took us into the crypt for a viewing. The crypt has Roman columns and is decorated with medieval frescos. Our host thought the authorities had botched the restoration but we all agreed that it remained special and it seemed like a very spiritual space.
If you visit Spoleto I would strongly recommend a visit to the Roman church of San Salvatore. Once you've done that you should come to San Ponziano. Whatever you do don't forget the crypt.
10. Casa Romana di Vespaia Polla
Overall Ratings
4 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By happytraveller575 - Birmingham, United Kingdom
Fascinating, though a little confusing in places. This is the remains of a Roman house from 1st century. I find many Roman museums repetitive, but this one is well worth a visit.
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