Introduction
1957 was a turning point in Spoleto’s pace of life, when Gian Carlo Menotti, the Italian- American composer started the worldwide famed Spoleto festival. From then on Spoleto turned a tourist destination that has many wonders to offer all year long such as museums, beautiful views, Roman vestiges and streets to stroll around. The festival becomes a celebration for drama, music, opera and dance lovers who attend this must visit and the city overflows with tourists and accommodation is hard to be found, therefore, if you have not made reservations three months in advance, it is recommendable to stay in a neighbouring town and come to Spoleto for the performances.
To get to the old area of town, take the orange A,B,C bus which calls at Piazza della Libertà in the centre with Piazza del Mercato in spitting distance and in the very heart of the old part of town. Near Piazza della Libertà is the tourist information office and a Roman theatre. This is the area where most monuments and nice shops are.
Con Spoleto on Piazza della libertà is run by its owners and offers reserving lodging. The tourist office is also on Piazza della Libertà.
History
In the Antiquity Umbria was under the power of the Etruscans and the Umbrians until Rome took power.After Rome ‘s fall the Byzantines took the east of the Tiber and the Lombards controlled the land to its west. Spoleto become the Lombardy Duchy’s capital and gave the Holy Roman Empire an emperor. In the Umbra Valley , which was once called the Vale di Spoleto, agriculture has used creative techniques to take advantage of the land by means of a draining.
What to See and Do
Religious buildings , Museums and more outings , Celebrations
Where to Eat
Spoleto has mastered the art of preparing dishes with truffle as other towns in Umbria. Pasta dishes are frequently served with tartufo nero over it.
Pizzeria Zeppelin offers well priced meaty pizza and snacks.
Osteria dell’Enoteca occupies the space where a 12th century tavern was. The ceiling is high and made of stone and the walls are lined with rows of bottles of wine which diners pick from their wood benches. Traditional dishes are served at reasonable prices.
Taverna La Lanterna is situated in downtown. Its dishes are Umbrian pasta and vegetarian dishes at affordable prices.
Osteria del Trivio is a comfortable and pleasant restaurant with a family like atmosphere. The most recommendable dishes are strangozzi alla spoletina, antipasti and filled artichokes.
L’Angolo Antico this off the beaten restaurant and pizza parlour has good strangozzi alla spoletina and pork in lemon sauce.
Ristorante degli Abeti is the paradise of food lovers for its great menu of pasta and meat. Pasta with wild boar and truffles and ham with wild boar are particularly recommendable.
Ristorante Apollinaire outstanding culinary delights, its 12th century walls, wooden beams and shimmering candles make a wondrous place offering vegetarian, truffle, traditional and nouvelle dishes which change according to season. Its desserts are delectable.
How to Get to/away
BY BUS: travelling by bus is not so common as the train is so efficient; however they are necessary to travel to Norcia and Valnerina (length: 1hour, services: 6 a day), to Monteluco (length:15 minutes, services: ever hour in the summer). Buses leave from off the railway station. Buses A, B, C with a placard readingCcentro leave from the railway station to the centre.
BY TRAIN: to Rome (length: 1 ½ , services: every hour), to Perugia (length: 1 hour, services: 9 a day), to Assisi (length: 40minutes, services: every hour).
