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History

Spello, of ancient Umbrian origins, it becomes important during the Roman period (confirmed by recent discovery of polychrome mosaics of the Roman villa and the already known rescript of Constantine): first Municipium Hispellum, then Splendidissima Colonia Iulia and finally with Constantine the colony Flavia Constans. In the Middle Ages it was a castrum under the administration of the Duchy of Spoleto. In 1360 it endows itself with municipal statutes, from 1389 to 1583 it was under regime of the Baglioni of Perugis, then part of the Papal States until the unification of Italy. Since 1829, after having been chartered, it follows the Italian historical events. Today Spello is characterized by the high attention for the landscape and its cutltural heritage.

Culture

The city of Pintoricchio’s ”Cappella Bella” hosts several hotspots of cultural production: the Civic Diocesan Art Gallery, the Subasio Communal Theatre, the church of Our Ladey of Consolation in Prato (Seat of the ”European Center for Medieval Music Studies”, CESAB), the Public Library ‘Giacomo Prampolini” with its Ancient Fund, the Municipal Historical Archives, and the Flower-Festival-Museum. Discover the traces of the great names of the twentieth century: the versatility of Benvenuto Crispoldi, the Permanent Collection ”Emilio Greco”, the Norberto Museum, the medieval tower with the works of Sinisca, the mixed media art of Orlando di Tisato and the Marchionni Art workshop.

Nature

The serendipitous location of Spello at the foot of Mount Subasio makes its landscape one of the primary values of the area: urban planning and architectural layout, fruits of its ancient origin, are combined with the agricultural plot of the valley, with the remains of the Roman settlement in the plain of Prato and the valley of the Chiona stream with the olive groves following the natural topography of Mount Subasio. The two mountain castles of ancient medieval origins, Collepino and San Giovanni, are characterized by the care of the urban interconnections. There are numerous trails in the Mount Subasio Park and the Roman aqueduct path is unique.

Food & Wine

Among the typical products outstands the extra virgin olive oil of protected origin (DOP), which is recognized as one of the most prestigious in Italy thanks to its organoleptic qualities. Note the excellent white wine made from Grechetto grapes and an equally outstanding red wine made of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet grapes. Also excellent are the black truffles harvested in the woods of Mount Subasio and the legumes that find their perfect combination with the local olive oil: lentil and chickpea, grass pea and the risina bean of Spello, roveja (an ancient sort of pea) and beans (like Gnocchetto, Purgatory and White Coconut). Excellent is the Chianina beef and the wild herbs gathered on the Mount Subasio and its surroundings.

Site web: www.comune.spello.pg.it