Todi, Italy

The town of Todi, Italy is alive with the kind of medieval ambiance that brings vacationers in droves. The narrow, cobblestone streets reach out in a web-like pattern, emanating from the city's center. They plunge haphazardly down towards the valley below, revealing churches, museums, squares, and restaurants working together in creating a perfect hill country postcard. If you aren't careful, you will imagine yourself having stepped back in time to the Middle Ages. A rough estimate has Todi dating back to 2700 B.C., and the city once served as the capital of an Umbrian empire. If you are looking for a picturesque town in the heart of Umbria, Todi will not disappoint.

Todi, like most of the Umbria and Tuscany hill towns, has a central square from which everything else is accessible. The Piazza del Popolo, located in the heart of Todi, serves as both a meeting place for people watchers, and is the main area for Todi's commerce. On one side of the piazza sit the twin Gothic buildings, Palazzo del Popolo and Palazzo del Capitano. They are linked by a massive medieval staircase that would make the perfect setting for a swashbuckling sword fight in a Hollywood movie. The Pinacoteca Museum resides in the Palazzo del Popolo and houses a small collection of 16th and 17th century Italian art works.

Those who love history and architecture will want to visit the Church of St. Fortunato, located off of the Piazza del Popolo. Construction on this Franciscan edifice began in 1291 and was finally completed in 1459. The word "completed" here is used loosely, as the front façade was never finished. As you approach the church, you can see, on the massive central marble doorway, the carvings that were to adorn the front of the church were completed. There are statues near the entrance that have been attributed to Jacopo della Quercia. Inside, the walls are lined with 14th and 15th century frescoes. Visitors can also visit the grave of Todi's famous Franciscan monk, Jacopone di Todi.

For history buffs, a day at the National Museum of Archaeology in nearby Orvieto may be just the ticket. The museum is housed in the Pontifical Palace, which was built in the 13th century. It houses an impressive collection of archeological finds from around the Orvieto area, as well as frescoes from two Etruscan tombs. Most of the museum's bounty was discovered during an 18th century excavation that yielded very important finds. Of particular note is the Sperandio sarcophagus, as well as a set of bronze pieces from Castel San Mariano.

A vacation in Todi is a trip back in time. Immerse yourself in the local cuisine as you gaze out over the valley below. Walk the streets and watch street performers as you taste a local gelato. Todi is also perfectly positioned if you want to enjoy some of the other delights available in both Umbria and nearby Tuscany. Pop into nearby Orvieto for some of the best white wine anywhere. Amble on down to Spoleto if your vacation coincides with the world famous Spoleto Arts Festival, an event so popular that similar "Spoleto festivals" take place around the globe. Shop for top-quality ceramics in Deruta. Head to Assisi and see the famous church of St. Francis. Todi is a quintessential Italian hill town, waiting with open arms to welcome you!

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