The green heart of the country, as the locals call Umbria, is located in the center of Italy. This territory includes the provinces of Terni and Perugia, the latter is also considered the capital of the region. Umbria features a hilly landscape, dense forests, olive groves and vineyards.
General information
The population of Umbria reaches almost 900 thousand inhabitants, while in Terni (Italy) live no more than 200 thousand. The province has been part of the region relatively recently, since 1927. There are no large industrial complexes on its territory, 95% of the companies registered here are small, with an average number of employees of 10-15 people. At the same time, Umbria has the lowest unemployment rate in Italy, at about 5.2%.
It is important to note that domestic tourism plays a large role in Umbria's income, while external tourism is less developed. Tuscany, which borders this region, attracts a significant influx of visiting tourists who are willing to spend large sums to relax there for a couple of weeks. Perhaps that is why Italians prefer to relax in Umbria, where there is no such flow of tourists, prices are lower,rest is no better. There are many objects for attention, including the sights of Terni (Italy).
The region is dominated by a continental climate with warm summers (average temperature is 20-22 °С) and not very cold winters (+2 °С in January). In mountainous areas - a little colder with a predominance of precipitation. For example, in the municipality of Norcia, located at an altitude of more than 60 m above sea level, the average temperature in the year does not exceed 11 degrees. heat.
Favorable climate contributes to the development of agriculture. Cereals, grapes, olives, and tobacco are grown in the region. In Italy, Umbria is known as the main supplier of rare black truffles. Among other things, tourism and the food industry are well developed here, and numerous handicraft enterprises operate.
How to get to the region
You must first apply for an Italian visa. There is no direct flight from Russia to Umbria. Some budget airlines arrive at the airport, located in the suburbs of Sant'Egidio: Ryanair, Wizzair, Albawings, Mistral Air. The best way to get there is to fly to Rome and from there take a bus, train or rental car.
You can get from the capital of Italy to the city of Terni by train from Roma Termini station. The whole journey will take about an hour, the distance is 95 km. On weekends, you can save up to 50% on your ticket.
Several times a day, comfortable Flixbus buses run from Rome Airport to Terni. Distance - about 75 km, without transfers. Travel time will be about one and a halfhours. You can also take the Rome bus from Roma Tiburtina station, distance - 103 km, travel time - about an hour and a half.
Renting a car from Rome to Terni (Italy) can be reached in less than an hour and a half, the distance is 103 km.
Gastronomic tourism
Besides the mentioned truffles, Umbria is known for its sausages and various types of smoked meats. Certain types of locally produced pork delicacies are protected by geographical name and cannot be produced elsewhere.
The local cuisine has a lot of poultry and game dishes - pheasants, pigeons, ducks, geese, hares. One of the favorite local dishes is gnocchi - a goose stew with potato dumplings, and a traditional dessert - a bagel-shaped muffin with raisins, pine nuts and anise.
Chocolate is in great demand among the inhabitants of the region. It has been produced here since the beginning of the last century. Since 1994, in the last ten days of October, the Eurochocolate festival has been held here, focused on the sweet tooth.
It is impossible to ignore local wines, among which white varieties are very popular. Winemaking is developing here quite recently, it is no more than 30 years old and, despite small volumes, the products are of high quality.
Cathedral
There is no exact data on its construction, however, according to legend, Bishop Anastasius ordered the construction of a temple on the ruins of the pagan altar of Jupiter in the sixth century. The reliability of the data is confirmed by scientists who have studied the foundation and details of the outer masonry of the structure. The Cathedral is locatedTerni on Cathedral Square in the historical part of the city.
The altar with the relics of the bishop has not survived to our time, but graves belonging to Christian martyrs were found in the cellars of the cathedral. According to experts, the building was originally intended for burials. However, it is not possible to state this unequivocally, since little has been preserved from the past.
In the XII century, the cathedral began to expand, which took about 300 years. In the twelfth century, the first and central portal was erected, and the last was completed only in the 15th century. Later, in the 17th century, the interior of the cathedral was also redesigned - a font, a dome and side chapels were erected.
The main planning detail of the cathedral is the Latin cross. The carved wooden choir stalls, the font and the fresco “Saint patrons of the city and angels” of the 16th-17th centuries are well preserved. There is an organ in the cathedral, and in the crypt you can see the tombstone of St. Anastassy.
Church of Saint Francis
It is another historical landmark of Terni. During his lifetime, this saint preached in these places and, with the permission of the local bishop, a site was allocated for the construction of a church that his followers could visit.
Initially it was a one-nave building, and only by the beginning of the 15th century the church of St. Francis became three-nave. In the XVIII century, after the earthquake, it was rebuilt and restored, changing the externaldecoration. During the Second World War, as a result of the bombing, the building was badly damaged, and the earthquake of 2009 did not pass without a trace.
Despite all the events, the facade of the temple has largely retained its appearance - a tympanum, a large round window, a portal in the center and arcades in the Romanesque style. Of particular interest is the decoration of the bell tower with multi-colored majolica, quadrifora and bifora in the Gothic style.
Inside the church is decorated with numerous frescoes from different times, partially preserved to this day. Here you can also see the sacristy of the 16th century with paintings and stucco by the Mannerist artist Sebastiano Flori da Arezzo.
The main shrine of the church is a piece of the cross. According to legend, Christ was crucified on it. The relic is considered miraculous and attracts pilgrims from all over the world.
Spade Palace
The structure was built in the 16th century for Count Michelangelo Spada. Built of powerful stones, it looks more like a fortress than a palace. The rough facade is slightly lightened by a portal consisting of three arches. The side parts of the building are raised in the form of towers. Initially, they did not exist, the terraces were built on only in the 18th century, later they were walled up, and they began to look like towers.
Inside the Palazzo Spada, frescoes of the 16th century have been preserved, in some places covered with paintings by masters of the 18th-19th centuries. Many of the stories depicted on them are taken from ancient mythology. Their author is considered to be the famous Mannerist artist of the time, Van Munder.
City of Spoleto
40 kilometers from Terni (Italy) is the city of Spoleto, recognized by contemporaries of that time as one of the most beautiful colonies of Ancient Rome. A 200-meter aqueduct and an arch have survived to our times, the construction of which dates back to 23 BC. Walking around the city, you can see the buildings of the 5th century and later, erected in the 10th-11th centuries. Among them is the Cathedral of Spoleto, founded in 1175 and named after the Ascension of the Virgin.
The tallest building in the city is the Albornociana Fortress built in the 14th century. For some time it was the residence of local dukes. Since 1817 it has been used as a prison, and today it houses a historical museum.
What else to do in and around the city
In February, the city celebrates St. Valentine's Day, who was born in Terni, and the chocolate festival, where you can participate in competitions and master classes. In March, Norcia hosts a truffle fair with tasting dishes from these mushrooms.
In the spring, the nearest cities to Terni (Italy) host a kite festival, costume processions to mark the arrival of spring and a candlelight festival in honor of St. Ubalda.
In the summer in Perugia, it is worth visiting the jazz festival, which takes place in July. In autumn, a historical military festival is held in Terni, where military bands perform, equestrian tournaments, costume processions, etc. are held. Every year, at the end of autumn, a fair is organized in Gubbio -truffle exhibition.
Reviews
The opinions of those who were lucky enough to rest in Italy and visit Terni speak of this time with admiration. People are surprised by the rich nature, emerald greenery and natural landscapes.
Travelers are also pleased that the process of obtaining an Italian visa is quite simple and does not overshadow the preparation for the holiday.
Absolutely everyone loves historical sites, friendly people and Italian food.
