This medieval Umbrian town has a 12th-century cathedral and a well-preserved historic center. Its central square comes alive at night with local restaurants and bars.
Foligno sits on the flat plains of central Umbria, unlike most Italian hill towns. In the main square, you'll find medieval palaces where the first Italian edition of Dante's Divine Comedy was printed in 1472. The city's streets follow the ancient Roman grid pattern, leading you to frescoed halls, centuries-old churches, and busy cafes. Just outside town, oak forests surround the stone walls of Sassovivo Abbey.
Walking Routes in the Center
The ancient Roman grid system shapes Foligno's streets, with Piazza della Repubblica as your starting point. Walk along the main streets to discover medieval buildings, local shops, and cafes. You can walk across the center in about 20 minutes, following clear signs to the main landmarks.
Piazza della Repubblica's Architecture
The 13th-century Palazzo Comunale rises above the square with its original bell tower and an 1830s neoclassical façade. Next door, the Palazzo Orfini's 1507 façade includes a plaque marking where Johann Neumeister printed Dante's Divine Comedy in 1472 - the first book printed in Italian.
Churches and Sacred Art
The 12th-century Cathedral of San Feliciano underwent renovations by architect Luigi Vanvitelli in the 18th century. Inside, you'll see a replica of Bernini's St. Peter's baldachin and Vespasiano Strada's 16th-century frescoes in the chapel. Santa Maria Infraportas dates from the 11th century, with medieval frescoes by artists Nelli and Mezzastris decorating its walls.
Museums in the Trinci Palace
Walk through several floors of exhibits at the Trinci Palace museum complex. The archaeological section contains Roman coins, pottery, and burial items found around Foligno. In the picture gallery, you'll find works by Umbrian painters from the 14th to 17th centuries. The palace walls hold rare secular frescoes from 1411-1412.
Giostra della Quintana Events
Watch the Quintana tournament on a Saturday night in June or a Sunday in September. Ten riders represent Foligno's districts, racing through a figure-eight course while trying to spear rings with their lances. Before the competition, hundreds of locals walk through the streets wearing detailed period costumes from the 1600s.
Visiting the Abbey of Sassovivo
Drive 15 minutes from Foligno's center to reach the Abbey of Sassovivo on Mount Aguzzo. The 1229 cloister contains 128 pairs of small columns supporting rounded arches, with white marble and pink stone creating geometric patterns in the stonework.
Train Connections
Take trains from Foligno to Rome (2.5 hours), Ancona (2 hours), or Perugia (40 minutes). Trains run throughout the day, and you can walk from the station to the city center. Buy tickets at the station office, open daily from 6:00 to 21:00.
