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Umbria is the “green” heart of Italy and Todi is the heart of Umbria, being the ideal place of departure for visiting the entire Region. Principal cities of art, tiny and suggestive medieval towns and earth’s natural treasures are all found at a medium distance of just 30-40 kilometers.
Every corner of Umbria reigns a halo of history, art, antique traditions, spirituality and untainted natural wonders and Todi represents one of the Region’s finest examples of this, castled on its hilltop, surrounded by medieval walls which enclose spectacular monuments and immersed in a landscape of a million and one green hues, broken but a glorious instant by the peaceful flow of the Tevere River in the lower valley.
Todi’s origins lie deep in the chronicles of history: a legend
tells of a majestic eagle which delivers a drape to the Veii Umbri population
to transport them to the peak of a hill, where the same Veii decided
to found the city which was given the name “Tutere”, whose
origin is unknown but likely means “confine”.
From this was born the city emblem: an eagle with spread wings clinching
a drape between its talons.
From the Umbran-Etruscan and then Roman periods remain some traces
of the first and second city walls. However as a “free state” it
was mostly in its Medieval period that Todi saw its greatest territorial
expansion, during which the city was enriched with spectacular architectural
works of art which today characterise and dominate the City landscape,
making Piazza del Popolo one of the most beautiful squares in all of
Italy: here are clearly marked the ongoing worldly struggle between the
sacred powers - represented by the 12th century Cathedral – and
temporal powers, as seen by the Palazzo del Popolo (1213), Palazzo del
Capitano (1292) and the Palazzo dei Priori (14th century).
In the 13th century a third circular wall was built, the very same which today can be admired and which enclosed - practically unaltered up until the 1970’s, when Todi saw its first urban expansion outside its protective city walls - the whole medieval city which had sprung within its embrace. Today along the walls can still be admired the great city gates of Porta Romana, Porta Fratta or Amerina, Porta Orvietana and Porta Perugina.
Along with the magnificent Piazza del Popolo can be seen other beautiful monuments such as the gothic Church of San Fortunato (1400), whose cript buries one of Todi’s most famous historical figures: Jacopone da Todi (1230-1306. Also to be discovered the hidden and majestic Church of Santa Maria della Consolazione (16th century) attributed to the works of Bramante, as well as the “ Temple of the Crucifix”, found on the opposite side of the city.
To discover the traquil and relaxing beauty of Todi visitors musn’t
forget to walk into the lanes and alleys found in the antique heart
of the city, rich with history and enchanting inlets along which
are still intact tiny churches of various Monastic Orders and the
antique doorways of artisan shops, where today craftsmen still create
blacksmith, carpentry and ceramic works and restorations using traditional
methods. To learn more about this important history the City of Todi
Cultural Society (Parco Culturale della Citta di Todi) organises
tours of set itineraries to restored areas of the city which are
normally unaccessible to the general public (for information call
0039 75 8944148).
E-mail: villaluisa@villaluisa.it