Inside Umbria

Umbertide

You may not have heard of Umbertide in north Umbria, but you have certainly heard of Gubbio, Perugia, Sansepolcro, Cortona and Lake Trasimeno, all less than 40 km from the town.

So Umbertide might make a good family holday base to see them all.

The town lies on the left bank of the Tiber and must have been on the important river trade routes. 

Archaeological finds suggest it was referred to as Forum Bremitii or Forum Julii, clearly a commercial hub.

Its alternative ancient names of 'Pitulum' and 'Fracta' give nothing away, at least to us.

The first may just be a reference to a Roman or Carthaginian settlement from the time of the Battle of Trasimeno, which was subsequently razed to the ground by the Goths.

The second may be the new settlement built in the 8th century.

What is for sure is that 'Fratta dei Figliuoli di Uberto' soon became part of the administration of Perugia only becoming Umbertide after the unfication of Italy in 1860.

What was see today was pretty much built after a terrible bombardment in April 1944 which killed 74 townsfolk.

The symbol of defiance and renewal is the unmissable La Rocca tower which dominates the old town.

It was built in the 14th century and is 31 meters high and was amazingly used as a prison until as recenlty as 1923.

The squat turret below the tower was built as a covered access way to the market place and Piazza Fortebracci.

Today, the whole fortified complex is a contemporary art center.

Where to eat in Umbertide