Perugia | Terni | Assisi | Gubbio | Foligno | Spoleto | Orvieto | Amelia | Todi | Trasimeno | Norcia-Cascia | C. Castello
 Versione Italiana |
Historical outline of Todi Seen from a distance, high on a hilltop, and in winter swathed in mists rising from the Tiber below, Todi seems to personify the romantic image of a medieval Italian hilltown. Closer inspection confirms this impression. The central piazza, with its romanesque cathedral and three magnificent palazzi, all dating from the thirteenth century - the golden age of Umbrian architecture - is believed by many to be among the finest in Italy. The origins of this little city go back much further however: founded by the Umbrians, it was later settled by Etruscans, who gave it the name of `Tutere', meaning border, probably because it served them as a defensive outpost.  The Romans conquered it in 340 BC, changed its name to `Colonia Julia fida Tuder', . turned it into a legionary camp and enlisted its support in the fight against Hannibal. Perhaps it was the inheritance of this military tradition that bred in its people a fierce fighting spirit and allowed Todi to hold its own iagainst Totila and other barbarian aggressors. In the twelfth century it became a free commune, but life here as elsewhere was dominated by political infighting and struggles for power between Guelphs and Ghibellines. Having lost its independence in 1328, it fell into decline and power was seized by a succession of noble families with mercenary armies. In 1500 it was annexed to the papal states and was ruled by pontifical governors, including the influential Atti dynasty, until Italy's unification in 1860.
What to see at Todi - Cathedral (early twelfth century) - Palazzo del Popolo and Palazzo del Capitano - Museum and Pinacoteca (early thirteenth century) - Palazzo dei Priori (1293-1337) - Church of San Fortunato (thirteenth-fifteenth century) - Church of Sant'Ilario (early eleventh century) - Castle ruins and public gardens - Fonte Scarnabecco - Roman niches: Piazza del Mercato Vecchio - Church of Santa Maria della Consolazione Feasts and festivals in Todi - Good Friday:`Pianto della Madonna' (celebration of religious poetry of Jacopone da Todi, born in Todi 1230) - March-April: Antiques fair - June-July: `Design-Experimenta' - August-September: Todi Festival and Craft Fair - 14 October: Feast of patron saint, San Fortunato - 8 November: Feast of the Madonna della Consolazione - 11 November: Fair of San Martino How to Get There By car - Autostrada A1,Florence-Rome, exit Valdichiana, follow N75 bis to Perugia and E45 Perugia-Terni road to Todi - Autostrada A1, exit Orvieto, follow SS448 to Todi - Autostrada Adriatica A14, exit Cesena, follow E45 Perugia-Todi By train - Rome-Florence line to Orvieto, follow SS448 to Todi. - Perugia-Terni line to Todi By air - International flights to Rome or Florence - Internal flights to Perugia. |
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Perugia | Terni | Assisi | Gubbio | Foligno | Spoleto | Orvieto | Amelia | Todi | Trasimeno | Norcia-Cascia | C. Castello
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