This Umbrian mountain town has medieval streets, Renaissance palaces, and a well-known summer arts festival. Local markets and cafes fill its historic squares.
Spoleto rises above the Umbrian valley, where Roman ruins emerge between medieval buildings and quiet squares. You'll find a 1st-century theater with intact stone seating, a 14th-century fortress with six towers, and a 230-meter-long bridge spanning across a deep gorge. The city comes alive each summer during the Festival dei Due Mondi, when musicians, actors, and dancers perform in venues across town, from ancient theaters to medieval churches.
Getting to Spoleto
You can reach Spoleto by train from Rome in 1.5 hours or from Florence in 2.5 hours. The train station sits in the modern part of town, with the medieval center visible on the hill above. While you can walk up to the old town in 30 minutes, a series of covered escalators takes you directly to the center.
The Medieval Center
Stone streets wind through the historical center, connecting small squares and centuries-old buildings. Moving between sites is easy thanks to a network of escalators and moving walkways that handle the steep terrain. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta dominates the main square, its 12th-century Romanesque facade decorated with eight rose windows and golden mosaics. Step inside to see Fra Filippo Lippi's frescoes depicting the Life of the Virgin, which cover the apse walls.
Roman Heritage and Archaeological Sites
Visit the Roman Theater near Piazza della Libertà to see the original stone seating and stage area from the 1st century BC. Medieval buildings now incorporate parts of the theater's structure. The Archaeological Museum occupies a former Benedictine convent, where you can examine Roman inscriptions, coins, and everyday objects excavated from the area.
The Fortress and the Bridge
The Rocca Albornoziana, built between 1359 and 1370, contains six towers and two distinct courtyards. One courtyard served the troops, while the governor used the other. Walk across the nearby Ponte delle Torri, a 13th-century bridge and aqueduct that rises 80 meters above the gorge. From the bridge's 230-meter span, you can see the Umbrian hills and valleys stretching into the distance.
Festival dei Due Mondi
This three-week festival transforms Spoleto from late June to early July. Since 1958, performances have filled the city's theaters, churches, and squares. You can watch opera at the Roman Theater, orchestral concerts in the Cathedral, and modern dance in the fortress courtyards. Book tickets early, as popular performances often sell out months in advance.
Local Food and Wine
In the medieval center's restaurants, you'll find strangozzi pasta with black truffle shavings, grilled pork seasoned with local herbs, and hand-cut prosciutto from nearby farms. Try the strong, full-bodied Sagrantino wines from the Montefalco vineyards, particularly with meat dishes. Many restaurants serve seasonal mushrooms, particularly porcini in autumn.
