The Upper Chiascio

The area, which is situated in the north east of the region, lying in the Apennines, is custodian of a grand inheritance: its thousand-year-old history and its noble traditions. The natural world and surroundings, bearing some of the more significant features of this part of Umbria, is characterized by sweeping panoramas and is rich in sites of great historical and architectural interest. An area of considerable environmental value is the Parco del Monte Cucco, dominated by imposing woods and geological phenomena. Art, culture and tradition come to life in the abundant evidence at hand as in the handicrafts above all ceramics, the constant pride of Gubbio and Gualdo Tadino.

Some history worth knowing: Gubbio was founded by the Umbrians on two terraced plains on Mount Ingino. The seven bronze slabs known as the Eugubine Tablets document agreements made with the Etruscans: discovered in 1400 in the passages under the Roman theatre or, as some say, in the region of Scheggia, and they define the territories pertinent to the two populations. In 295 B.C. the Romans here fought against the Umbrians, Etruscans and Gauls, although Gubbio itself did not participate in the battle. For this reason it was accorded special favourable treatment and become Romanised. During the Greco-Goth war it was destroyed by Totila; rebuilt thanks to Justinian, invaded by the Lombards, reconquered by the Byzantines, invaded again by the Lombards in the 8th century and finally by the Franks who ceded it to the Church. In the year 1000 it became a free city, although still embroiled in battles against Perugia. With which it was forced to sign an unfavourable treaty in 1183.This in turn was cancelled by the emperor who wanted a stronghold on the route. After the battle of Montaperti, Gubbio aligned itself with the Guelphs and continued to hold the territories in Marche toward the Furlo Pass. The Ghibellines attempted to retake Gubbio but failed and in 1338 a citizens' charter was created. The city was consigned to Cardinal Albornoz after its enemies renounced on trying to take the Signoria by force. Still it had no peace, being under the dominion of Urbino and the Montefeltro family for two centuries, then becoming a Papal state again just before 1600. In 1831 the pontifical legation was expelled and a revolutionary self-government was set up. With unification in the 1860's, Gubbio had already installed a liberal form of government. More recent history that won't be forgotten was the episode of the 40 martyrs shot by the Germans while retreating in 1944. Gubbio is a medieval town with winding narrow street constructed largely with the grey limestone which gives an austere effect. Between the Romanesque style there are also Gothic and Renaissance buildings. The piazze seem like terraces offering views of the plain below. Traces of iridium have recently been found in the nearby Gola del Bottaccione.

Palazzo dei Consoli o del Popolo

This is where the art gallery and museum are and where one can find the Eugubine Tablets.
The Palace dates from the 1300's, maybe by the Eugubine architect, Gattapone, this large, square building is actually very uplifting due to the wall mass. Even the tower on the left looks light and bright with the arched windows under the merlots.

Piazza Grande o della Signoria

Facing the valley and flanked by three other famous buildings, it was the product of an integrated urban plan, the only of its kind.

Palazzo dei Podestà o Pretorio (o dei Priori)

Gothic, built by Gattapone in the mid-1300's and the seat of local government . The ideal architectural complement to the Palazzo dei Consoli , its original outlay involves a central axis which acts as a pivot for the rooms which feature cross vaults.

Palazzo Ranghiasci - Brancaleoni

Neatly inserted between the Consoli building and the Podestà one, it is a brilliant example of neo-classic style.

Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo

Perhaps the home of the noble family the Gabrielli’s, but unproven by documents. Now it houses the museum of instruments of torture.

Chiesa di San Francesco

From the 1200's simple Gothic style, rose window and door also, with un octagonal bell tower which is foreign to the local style. Inside there are three naves and the only one of its kind in Gubbio. The cloister has been recently restored and is sometimes used for theatre or other shows.

Loggia dei Tiratori

On the square of the 40 martyrs this rough-stoned building was the hospital in the 1300's. In the 1600's the ground floor was elevated and filled out with the large portico which was used to work wool. The walls are steep and plain. Alongside is the church of Santa Maria dei Laici, and with the confraternita dei Bianchi. The fresco in the central part of the portico represents the Madonna with the saints Peter and Paul.

Basilica di S. Ubaldo

Almost at the top of Mt Ingino at 827 metres is this basilica from the 1500's, built by Duchess Elisabetta and Eleonora delle Rovere, on the site where a small church held the remains of the saint. The five naves inside are lit up by large windows that recount the life of the saint. The altar is marble and in a glass coffin, you can see the saint. This is where the famous candles from the Corsa dei Ceri are kept. Advisable to arrive using the funicular railway.

Duomo

At the and of 1400's, the Duke Frederick of Montefeltro built it entrusting the engineer Luciano Laurana, who already designed the Palace of Urbino.

Palazzo Ducale

Built at the end of the 1100's when the borough was enlarged higher up the mountain.

Chiesa dei Muratori o di S. Francesco della Pace

Built on the site where it is said that the wolf placated by s. Francesco resided. It was constructed by a community of master builders at the beginning of the century.

Chiesa di S. Marziale

It was perhaps built on the ruins of a Roman temple, in Romanesque style with sail-like vaults.

Porto Vehia

Made of large square blocks of stone, called Porta Janea by the Romans and now known as Porta or Arco di San Marziale. It was built perhaps in the 3rd or 4th century B.C.

Teatro Romano

In an excavation of 70 metres in diameter, this well-preserved theatre with proscenium , orchestral pit and covered with ashlar is still used today for classical concerts in the Summertime.

Chiesa di S. Maria Nuova

Built on a pagan temple in the 1200's , sober temple and severe lines.

Chiesa di S. Agostino

It has a single nave, 13th century church made from brick, the façade was renovated last century.

Chiesa di S. Pietro

From 1098 and has had several retouches. Alongside is the convent the of the Olivetabi.

Chiesa dello Vittorina

Probably the name comes from the place that Umbrians and Etruscans called Vehia Turena.

Chiesa di S. Domenico

Rich paintings, lovely supporting towers, dating from the 1300's.

Palazzo del Bargello

1200, seat of the magistrate. The fountain nearby said to cause madness.

Casa di S. Ubaldo

Appears to be a gentleman's residence from the 1300, but not referring to Saint Ubaldo.

Chiesa di S. Secondo

An ancient church , probably from the 6th century , linked to the Ravenna church which was the religious authority in the region.

Mausoleo

Is a tomb of a Roman nobleman attributed to the king of Illyria, who, defeated, would have been held captive by the citizens of Gubbio.

Chiesa della Madonna del Prato

Is a rare example of a baroque church in Gubbio.

In the area...

FONTE AVELLANA ABBEY

A few kilometres from Gubbio in the middle of unspoilt Apennine scenery there is an ancient Benedictine abbey still inhabited today by a religious order. The name of t hemonastery, Fonte Avellana, tells the story of its foundations in those very mountains: the first monks found water here, hence ‘fonte’, and food, ‘avellana’ is a kind of chestnut. This marvellous abbey, open to the public at pre-determined times, still owns the almost intact original 'scriptorium', the place where Amanuensis copied the antique codex. The work carried out throughout Europe in places like these saved classical culture and formed the basis of our civilization.

MONTE CUCCO

Is a famous centre for those who love the great outdoors, one con climb up near the Appennines and there is a cave for speleologists, the karst type cave is more than 900m deep and is accessed at 1390m via a funnel type opening.