Between charm and magical sites in Umbria

Mystery, charm, magic: Umbria is all of this, a land that will enchant and surprise you with unique, unusual and delightful attractions. We have chosen six, taking you along an itinerary through the region from north to south, discovering art, architecture, nature and landscape.

 

Campo del Sole (Sun Field) at Tuoro sul Trasimeno

On the banks of the Trasimeno lake, immersed in the greenery, you may think you are seeing a small Stonehenge. The Campo del Sole is an open-air museum featuring 27 sculptures created by important contemporary Italian and foreign artists between 1985 and 1989. All made from serena stone – a sandstone extracted from local quarries – these creations are arranged in a spiral around the central work which represents a sort of sun dial.

 

Parco delle Sculture (Sculpture Park) in Torgiano

In Brufa, in the area of Torgiano, there is another open-air contemporary art museum. The Parco delle Sculture (Sculpture Park), created through the “Scultori a Brufa”. La Strada del Vino e dell’Arte (Sculptors of Brufa. The Wine and Art Road)” project: every year since 1987 a sculptor donates one of their works and the result, in continuous evolution, is a unique and amazing combination of nature, landscape and contemporary art.

 

The Ideal City at Montegabbione

Immersed in the woods, in the hamlet of Scarzuola (Montegabbione), you will find The Ideal City of Tomaso Buzzi, designed and built by the Milanese architect between 1958 and 1978. It is a maze-like structure teeming with symbols, meanings and quotations and distinguished by surreal constructions and sculptures, pools and stairs made of tuff, archways and doors, statues and bas-relief that create a fantastical and mysterious complex, a truly magical place.

 

Concordia Theatre

Its charm and magic are owed mostly to its size. In fact the  Concordia Theatre of Monte Castello di Vibio is considered the smallest theatre in the world. With an area of just 200 square metres, it offers visitors a unique atmosphere: 37 seats in the arena and 62 in the balconies, offering a maximum audience capacity of 99. The Concordia features all of the elements of Typical Italian theatre design and is in the centre of a small and characteristic medieval hamlet just a short distance from Todi. 

 

Carsulae

An ancient Roman city characterised by monuments and buildings and numerous inscriptions that tell the story of a rich and politically active town. The archaeological area of Carsulae is the result of extensive excavation work that brought to light, and not only, the forum, the great arch known as Saint Damian’s Arch, monumental tombs, temples and places of worship, the theatre, the amphitheatre and a hot springs facility.

 

Fonti del Clitunno – Clitumnus River Spring

A body of water known for being incredibly clear and emerald in colour. The Clitumnus River Springs represent the source of the Clitumnus river and are also famous for the lush vegetation – especially willows, poplars and moss – and for the population of swans and aquatic birds. With a perimeter of just over 400 metres and a surface area of almost ten-thousand square meters, this small lake offers a unique atmosphere that inspired poets such as Propertius, Pliny, Virgil, Byron and Carducci.