History of Fossato di Vico The presents of human beings on the territory of Fossato di Vico is very antique and it presumably goes

back to l millennium b.C.. It is in this area that the Umbrians, the Picenis and other populations around the

mountain side of the Appennines, used to meet and exchange their products. Thereafter, in the century

b.C. the Romans colonised the area and renamed it Helvillum. The construction of Via Flaminia (in 220 b.C.

engineered by Gaio Flaminio) was the principal route of the entire region (and of the salt commerce), this

meant that Hely/ilium was the main route and organised settlement for the antique station of the roman

post. Via Flaminia, antique road going back to pre-roman time, is the result of a long planning work and was

in antique times the main link from the capital to the Adriatic coast, where each stage coincide with the

roman conquest of Umbria. After the fall of the Roman Empire, with the battle of Tagina (today's Quaid()

Tadino) in 552 (a long Goto-Byzantine war), the village was probably destroyed and a new settlement was

developed for the strategic importance of the area even if placed on a dominant position.

This time with a Byzantine name Fossaton (fortification), while the "di Vico" was added later on to

symbolize the Count Vico, a noble from Fossato. The Byzantines were probably the founders of the castle of

Fossato, and what remains of it is now called "Roccaccio". in 996, Fossato became stronghold of Lupo 'Vico

di Monaldo" Count of Nocera who, in X century, received it from Emperor Ottone Ill. In the XII century after

the Vico, Fossato got passed on to the Counts of Marsciano, in 1208 to Perugia, to Gubbio in 1257 and

finally back to Perugia. In 1386 Fossato became a Commune proclaiming the "Statuta" which guaranteed

the autonomy, statues which they were able to maintain during the Papal State dominance. In 1540,

Umbria and as a consequence even Fossato di Vico passed under Papal State until the constitution of the

Italian Reign in 7860 (except for the Napoleonic period where Fossato became border land between the

Italian and the French Reign this is the reason why Osteria del Gatto found the custom house). Today as in

the past, Fossato di Vico is still the border land and route between two realities 'Umbria and Marche".

Fossato di Vico, town located under the hillside of the Appennines chains in the southern area of the

Regional Park of Monte Cucco, (protected natural area since 1995) sheltered as it is, it still preserves its

antique town nucleus maintaining its characteristic medieval village: the walls, the towers, the roads. As

you cover the steep road (on the way of Via Flaminia) which takes you to the town center of Fossato, one

comes accross the small Church of San Benedetto (XIV century). Now days national monument, it is a gothic

structure with fresco painting remains, of the eugubina school, internally a portrait of Urbano V by Matteo

da Gualdo can be admired. As you reach the crenellated Tower which overlooks the main entrance door to

the town and the Palazzo Comunale one can say to be in the actual medieval town of Fossato di Vico. There

are many proofs from thepast that can be admired starting from the old Palazzo Comunale, the Torre

dell'Orologio built by the Gricci brothers, the Cappella della Piaggiola, the Camaldolese Church of San

Cristoforo (XIII century), the San Sebastian Church, the Monastero di Santa Maria del Fonte (X111 century),

the Church of San Pietro dig into the rock, the Antiquarium Comunale, the museum centre of the peasantry

civilization where over 2500 pieces are gathered together.

Rughe These narrow streets which are partly covered by semi-circular stone vaulting are a remarkable

example of the medieval castle architecture which were part of the defensive system of the castle. This

system solved the defensive and viability problems along the internal perimeter of the defensive walls.

Piaggiola The Church of Santa Maria delle Piagge, also known as "la Piaggiola", is a small building from the

XIII century (antique site of Monte di Pieta). It is set up by a unique room covered by a barrel vault entirely

covered by fresco painting. Some of these frescos, are attributed to be by Ottaviano Nelli, a known

eugubino artist, who worked in Umbria during the XV century. His artwork can be seen in some of the

churches in the region; in Assisi, Foligno, Perugia and in a particular way in the Chiesa di San Francesco in

Gubbio but also in Urbino and Fano.

Torre dell'Orologio It goes back to XVII century and it dominates the central piazza of the town. It's clock in

perfect working condition, oeuvre by the Gricci brothers (a family from Fossato), until the sixties when it

was replaced (for a better conservation). Together with the church bell, the clock was used to mark the

passing of the day. The Tower built with semi-circulate vaults, positioned in the centre of the castle had

also an important defensive role during medieval time. In fact from that height it was possible to see far

away and coordinate the militia.

Monastero di Santa Maria del Fonte It is an antique monastic building of the benedettine cloister nuns

built during the XII century. Internally, an important vellum archives and antique documents are preciously

kept including the bill of the foundation of the actual monastery and of the foundation of the Monastero di

Santa Caterina.

Antiquarium Comunale The Antiquarium Comunale was the municipal quarters from XIII century until the

unity of Italy. Now days, on the top floor, it hosts a collection of documentation of sites and manufactured

products found in this area. It is all set up in two rooms: the first introduces the history of the territory with

the precious help of antique geographic maps and reproduction of sites (from XVI to XIX century) and a

selection of objects from roman to modern times. The second room displays in a chronologic sequence

antique and recent findings which witnesses the life in an area which centrality is due to the commercial

exchanges, from prehistory to modern times.

Sigillo The expanssion of Sigillo goes back to roman times, as the bridge on the Scirca stream evidences. Therefore

Sigillo binds its history and its expansion through commerce, which took place on this important

communication access, which connected Rome with the Adriatic. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it

underwent many destructions and reconstructions until the XV century when it became part of the Papal

State until the Unity of Italy.

In the heart of the village one can visit, the church of Sant Agostino, where an Annunciation executed by

Ippolito Borghesi in 1617 can be admired internally, in the cemetery othe church of ant'Anna some rescos

from the Giotto period can be seen, then the antique oratory with votive frescos by Matteo da Gualdo. The

Palazzo Comunale from the XII century with its neoclassical stile facade reconstructed in 1802. Since 1996,

Sigillo is the headquarter and the entrance point of the natural regional park of Monte Cucco. It hosts

exhibitions of historic-naturalistic findings and art collections tied to the territory.

Monte Cucco Park

Authentic naturalistic gem set on the north-east area of the province of Perugia (in the communes of:

Sigillo; Scheggia and Pascelupo; Fossato di Vico; Costacciaro) on the borderline with the Marche with

10.480 hectares surface, protected area of Monte Cucco (1566 meters a.s.1). The entire highland complex

is constituted by chalky stratification from marine sedimentary rock, it is rich of paleozoic era findings. The

environmental and naturalistic heritage of Monte Cucco Park has a remarkable biodiversity not only thanks

to its vegetation, as it has a widespread beech tree wood on the higher altitude but also with its fauna. In

fact, as well as the normal animals that one may find in the entire area of the central Appennines, there is

the presence of rare species such as the wolf the golden eagle and the eagle owl. In the higher parts of the

water streams, river prawns and fario trout can be found. Moreover, the park offers, to its visitors, many

sports among which: hiking, with about 120 kilometres trails (all of the park is covered by the Sentiero

Italia); mounting bike; horseback riding; sports fishing; rafting; free flying and cross country ski.

Costacciaro Costacciaro, located along the Via Flaminia, has kept its

original medieval village structure, despite its

development in the last decades. Costacciaro, unlike the

neighbouring villages which are mostly from Roman

origins, was built in 1250 by the citizens of Gubbio as a

fortified centre for the defence of their Eastern territory.

Of remarkable importance the rose window and the portal

which embellish the facade of the church of San

Francesco, which was built in XIV century and expanded in

XVIII century. Internally, some frescos by Matteo da

Gualdo can be admired. The Palazzo dell'Universita, the

Rivellino and the antique oil mill are noteworthy. The city

centre hosts, the "museo laboratorio del Parco del Monte

Cucco", unique in its kind, where it shows what happens

to the chalky masses of Monte Cucco and of the Umbrian-

Marchigian Appenninies. Revealing the pathways that the

rain water follow in the bowels of the earth of the

mountains prior to come to light, nourishing the source

and the layers of the plain. It is mostly conceived for children and youngsters, where the discovery and the

acquisition of knowledge is

taught through manual machines, instruments and three-dimensional models which are activated by the

visitors. Together with the Laboratory-Museum there is the documentation centre which fuses the

exhibition of antique texts and of topographic documents, all are linked to the theme of the exploration of

the caves in the Umbrian-Marchigian Appennines starting from the past centuries to recent explorations.

Grotta di Monte Cucco Underground complex, 923 metres deep and about 30 Km long, which constitutes

beyond its incredible beauty, also a natural and a remarkable place to practice spelaeology. The main

entrance to the cave is on the North-East mountain-side. After achieving a 27 meter deep well, many

rooms, which each have been named, depending on the visual image it evocated by its stalactyc and

stalagmitic formation, can be reached. Moreover, many tunnels, corridors, deep wells, huge galleries

passed by underground rivers and natural deposits can be reached by these rooms.

The origin of the caves complex is due to the action of the waters on the chalky rock which started on

thousands of years ago. One of these is the "Galleria delle Ossa" which ends in a big room which is a

deposit of antique animal bones. In this gallery bone remains of rhinoceros, bears, steinbocks, martens,

deers and bovines, all animals who lived in the area when the climate was much colder as it was 20.000

years ago during the last glacial period. The Grotta Bianca and the Grotta delle Fate, unique in their kind as

they contain great concretions of bacterial matrix.

Scheggia e Pascelupo Scheggia and Pascelupo are two small villages, the first one of Roman origins and the second is of medieval

origins. Since 1878, they became a unique commune (as the coat of arms of the commune proves). They

are located in the intersection of the Flaminia with the Eugubina and Arceviese state roads close by Monte

Cucco. From Scheggia and Pascelupo it is possible to enter Monte Cucco Park to explore the northern area,

which is rich of Benedictine abbeys. In a particular way, Sant'Emiliano at Isola Fossata and the Eremo di San

Girolamo at Pascelupo . The 'Sentiero Italia" goes through this area. Pacselupo, the "Castello Murato" was

founded in XIII century b.C. as a defence to the territory, at first of Gubbio then to Urbino. Fro-m 1396,

ceased the domination of Gubbio, the "Castello Murato", of circular plan, went under the influence of the

Counts of Montefeltro. From the XV century it went under the jurisdiction of Papal State, finally it was then

annexed to the Italian State in 1860.

Scheggia rises in an important road knot of the Via Flaminia (an antique posta station) in a borderline area

between Umbria and Marche. During the war between Goths and the Byzantines in 552 a. C. the village was

destroyed but then rebuilt by the Byzantines to try to end the Longobard incursions. The Luceoli castle was

built at the beginning of the XI century, where the antique postal station was. In the following centuries,

Scheggia became part of the territories of Gubbio and it therefore followed its political events, becoming at

first part of the Ducato di Urbino then to the Italian Reign. The interesting areas are the Torre Civica built in

XIV century, the only remaining door of the antique castle still maintained today. The church of

Sant'Antonio Abate, built in 1665, the church dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo which fosters works by Benedetto

Nucci and the church of Monte Calvario built in XVII century dedicated to the Madonna Addolorata, which

dominates the whole village.

Santa Maria di Sitria It is an Abbey from Xl century, built in the territory of the natural park of Monte

Cucco, in a Valley included between the Artino ditch and the slopes of Monte Catria along the road that

links Scheggia to Isola Fossara. The building is in the shape of a Latin Cross with a unique nave. The church

was entirely built with square shape stones. In the apse there are traces of frescos from the XVIII century

and internally there is a travertine altar from the third century. There was also an antique hermitage, but

no trace of it is left, it was composed by small cells in stone and wood. According to the historian lacobili,

the abbey was founded in 1017 by San Romualdo who lived the last years of his life in total seclusion.

Gualdo Tadino Located in an uncontaminated and striking context, which makes it "must" destination. Gualdo Tadino is

situated at the brims of the Mount Serrasanta by the Via Flaminia, between the Valleys of Chiascio and

Topino. It was an Umbrian village called "Tarsina", then placed under the control of Rome which renamed it

Tadinurn. In 217 b.C., it was completely destroyed by Annibale (after the Battle of Trasimeno), then in 49

b.C. by Giulio Cesare and in 410 by the Visigoths. Even Gualdo Tadino was involved in the battle of Tagina

(552) during which Narsete (Byzantine general) defeated the Totila army. Destroyed by Emperor Ottone III

(996) and subsequently by a fire. It was rebuilt in 1237 on the present Colle di Sant'Angelo when it found

the liberal communal institution under the protection of Federico II. Later on it was placed under the

domination of Perugia thereafter it went under the Church domination in 1458. A big earthquake on 27th

July 1751, destroyed most parts of the medieval characteristics of the town. Only in 1833 with Pope

Gregorio XVI the town took the name of Gualdo (Waldurn) Tadino (Tadinum) and in 1860 became part of

the Italian Reign. In the centre of Gualdo Tadino, in the Piazza Martiri della Liberta, one can admire the

Cathedral of San Benedetto and the church of San Francesco, built by the Franciscans between the Xl11 and

the XIV century.

Rocca Flea The antique Rocca Flea is located on the top of the colle which is called "Flebea" for its closeness

to the river Flebeo. The Rocca is a massive structure surrounded by a strong wall belt and it is one of the

most important examples of defensive military architecture in Umbria. Founded around the X century,

initially it was owned by the Atti, Sirs of Foligno, it then passed on to lnnocenzo ill in 1198. In 1240 Federico

Ii restored it and enlarged it, creating the big wall belt around the town with seventeen towers and four

doors. This is the final structure which will then become the benchmark of all the following governesses

which will come after him in Gualdo Tadino. At the beginning of the '90's the restoration to consolidate the

Rocca started, during which, the Cappella of Sant'Angelo de Flea with its wonderful frescos from the

fourteenth and fifteenth century was discovered. Inside, the Pinacoteca can be visited, the collection of

historic ceramics, and in the old church, the Antiquarium which has archaeological findings that come from

the prehistoric period to the high medieval time. Gualdo Tadino, also called "citta della ceramica" (the

ceramic town) famous around the world for its extraordinary and antique artistic ceramic production, in

particular for its production with secret treatment procedure "al riflesso". It is also the site of the Mostra

Concorso Internazionale della Ceramica.

Gubbio Located at the bottom of mount Ingino, the first settlements in the eugubino territory seem to go back to

the prehistoric period. It was an important political and religious area of Umbria, as the Tavole Eugubine,

the historical epigraphic documents preserved in the Palazzo dei Consoli testifies. This document has a

huge value as it is of Italian pre-roman time, it is composed by seven engraved bronze plates from Ii century

b.0 , written in Umbrian alphabet and in Latin which describe the religious rites, the uses and the social-

political structure of the time. Roman ruins, the church of San Giovanni Battista set in the most antique

area of town, Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo typical eugubina construction from XIII century are all to be

seen.

Palazzo dei Consoli The Palazzo dei Consoli was built in XIV century by the government of the town and it is

one of the most important and striking architecture in Italy. It is a gothic style building, sixty meters high, it

faces the Piazza Grande, vital centre of town in the XIV century, its fan-shaped staircase takes to the main

entrance door. It was built from 1332 to 1349, and engineered by Angelo da Orvieto. The beautiful Sala

dell'Arengo, magnificent room which takes the entire surface of the building, where popular meetings used

to take place in the XIV century. It is now, the Muse() Civico where Umbrian antique archaeological

findings, a numismatic collection and a picture gallery are exposed.

Perugia The first known settlement goes back to XI and X century b. C.. It was an Etruscan town and with the battle

of Sentino (295 b.C.) it becomes part of Rome, even though maintaining its language and to some extent

some autonomy. Thriving Roman Municipality with the name of "Augusta Perusia". With the victory of the

Byzantines over the Ostrogoths the town became of Byzantine dominance, and one of the strategic towns

against the Ducato Longobardo of Spoleto. Perugia remained Byzantine until the VIII century. In the year

1000 it became a free Commune. In 1531 with Pope Paolo III, the church took over its control, the

construction of the Rocca Paolina is a tangible sign of it. In 1860, Perugia takes part of the birth of the

Italian Reign.

To be seen: The Arco Etrusco; the Rocca Paolina, (fortress built by Pope Paolo Ill in 1540); the Pozzo

Etrusco. The Fontana Maggiore is dated 1275 —1278 by Fra Bevignate da Perugia, it is one of the main

monuments of the city and one of the principal medieval sculptures. It is built in two polygonal and

concentric shape baths with above it a bronze bath. The two marble baths are decorated with bas-reliefs

with scenes of agricultural tradition and representing the pheoble culture by Nicola and Giovanni Pisanu. In

the same square, Palazzo dei Priori is located, it is a gothic building that was the headquarters of the city's

government, it now hosts the Galleria Nazionale dell'Llmbria which contains master-works of Italian culture

by Piero della Francesca, Beato Angelico, Pinturicchio and by II Perugino.

Assisi The origins of Assisi go back to the XIV — VIII century b.C.. The town developed on the borders of the

Etruscan territories, until the Byzantine battle, the Romans imposed their dominance. It was a prosperous

period for Assisi, it became Municipium and it was an important economical and social core of the Roman

Empire. With the fall of the Roman Empire, Assisi got to know the era of the barbaric invasions and of the

Byzantine conquer, until it became a Free commune in the XI century. Francesco was born in Assisi

between 1181 and 1182, the future saint, who with his actions influenced the local and the entire history of

humanity. After this Assisi became part of the Popal State, until 1860 when it took part of the birth of the

Italian Reign.

To be seen: The amphitheater and the Rocca Maggiore; the Piazza del Comune with the Palazzo del

Podesta and the Torre del Popolo; the Eremo delle Carceri on mount Subasio.

The Basilica of san Francesco Tradition wants that Francesco indicated the location of his berial; and it is in

this same place where the Basilica was built. Master architects, artisans and painters were called up for its

construction. The frescos attributed to Giotto are stunning, where the saint's life is represented. The most

famous artists of the time, Giotto, Cimabue and Simone Martini, collaborated on the decoration of the

Basilica. Since then Assisi, becomes for all pilgrims a fundamental trip.

Valfabbrica It is of medieval origins, Gubbio and Assisi battled for its acquisition until it became part of the Church

State. Only parts of the surrounding walls of the town and a Pieve in Roman style with prestigious frescos in

the inside (from the first half of XIV century) remain from the medieval period. Located on the left side

bank of the Chiascio river, on the antique route Gubbio-Assisi, Valfrabrica has its origins and its history tied

to one of the most antique still existing abbeys of Umbria, the Monastero Benedettino di Santa Maria in

Vado Fabricae (820). The abbey is set along the road that connects Assisi to Gubbio, which was run along

many times by San Francesco, where he used to stop to pray.

This important and antique route, today called "sentiero Francescano della Pace" (Franciscan peace route),

is the destination of pelgrims and naturalistic excursions, where it is still possible to relive the religious-

mystical experience of the Saint. The still existent walls and towers of the antique castle from medieval

times is of great interest.

Grotte di Frasassi One of the most striking European complex karst, can be seen 60 klm from Ancona, in the natural Park Cola

Rossa and of Frasassi, just a few kilometres away from Genga. The naturalistic value of this complex is due

to its particular formation and to its extraordinary ecosystem, which was mostly discovered in the most

isolated area. In fact, the endless work of the streams of the rivers Esino and Sentino, had a secondary role

in the formation of the caves, which were primarily due to the action of the mineral sulphureous waters

coming up from the bottom of the earth.

Entirely developed over 30 klm, placed on eight different geological levels, the marchigian caves, internally

reveal a striking world filled up by candid stalagmites and stalactites, emerald blue lakes and shinny

curtains which inlay the vaults of the caverns. The dominant silence of the huge spaces hidden in the

mountain is only broken by the slow distill of the water drops which makes the Grotte di Frasassi a complex

still alive and in constant evolution. Internally, only one vertebrate lives in it: the geo-newt. The tourist

path, which is of easy access, enables an easy visit through the five principal rooms covering 1,5 klm, out of

the 20 already explored up to today, taking about 75 minutes.

Archaeological and Speleological Museum The visit to this very interesti museum, make it easier to clarify

the knowledge about the evolution of the surrounding territory. The museum is located in the cenoby of

the San Vittore delle Chiuse abbey. It hosts precious traces from the bronze era and pre-historical findings

from the Gila di Frasassi and in the necropolis of Pianello di Genga. The most famous finding is the huge

ichthyosaur's fossil going back to the Jurassic age, when the Cola was still covered by sea. It is the best

conserved specimen (of about 4mt x 2,50mt) of the two found in Europe. The third section of the museum,

is dedicated to geology and to fos eleology; it shows the visitor the rmation of the Grotte and of the Cola.

Natural Park of the Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi The natural park of the Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi, is

the "green heart" of the Marche region. Established in September 1997, it is the largest protected area of

the region in fact it covers 9167 hectares including the hypogeum complex of the Gratte di Frasassi. The

park area is the ideal habitat for the preys, such as the kestrel and the golden eagle. The beech tree woods

and the brush woods are the reign of the wolves, foxes, wild boars, badgers, squirrels and porcupines. The

clear waters of the Sentino contain trout, beards, eels, (CAVEDANO) and the rare prawns.

Cantiano The origins of Cantiano go back to the pre-roman period, but it became an important strategic role with the

construction of the Flaminia. After the fall of the Roman Empire and subsequently to barbaric incursions,

the inhabitants started the fortification of the two hills Colmatrano and Cantiano, where they founded

Castrum Canthiani. Cantiano was able to become a free commune after the donation by the eugubini's by

Federico ll in 1244. The control of the territory went from Gubbio to the Count Antonio da Montefeltro and

after that to the Papal State. The current settlement is partly located on a small hill where ruins of

embattled towers dominate which were once part of a fortress. The castle of Cantiano, was the main cause

of argument between the Montefeltro di Urbino and the Malatesta di Rimini in 1393 because of its

strategic position, it was finally yie-Id. to the Montefeltro and until 1631 it will follow the destiny of the

State of Urbino.

To be seen: the church of S. Agostino with its Roman door (XIII century); the collegiate church of S.

Giovanni Battista where a circle by Eusebio da S. Giorgio (XV century); the churches of S. Nicola and S.

Ubaldo,. the Palazzo Comunale in Renaissance style near by the antique Palazzo del Podesta and by the

Palazzo dei Priori. The tight Via Fiorucci with its antique buildings from XII century is of great interest.

The town centre maintains its noble town aspect thanks to its buildings and churches.

A district called "ghetto degli ebrei" with its buildings facing via Fiorucci, is from the medieval period. An

authentic "Savonarola" with the Della Rovere coat of arms and the letters "FM" which seems to have

belonged to the Duca Francesco Maria II, is kept in the town council. In the town library, many antique

works of arts some of which are incunabulum: a precious "De Bello Gallico" from 1480 together with a

collection of parchments about the interests of the community written in the language of the beginning of

XV century.

Cascata delle Marmore The Velino river covers most of the plateau which surrounds Rieti, but the particular geological

configuration of the area brought through the course of the eras the formation of wetland, harmful for

salubrity of the area. This is why in 271 b.C., the roman consul Manlio Curio Dentato ordered the

construction of the canal (the Cavo Curiano) so to make the stagnant waters drain from the plateau which

surrounds Rieti towards the natural jump of Marmore: from there the water went directly in the Nera river.

In the course of centuries, the canal, has always been kept and improved.

The Cascate delle Marmore is therefore an artificial water falls, which is one of the hi hest in Europe, as its

heights difference is of 165mt. It is located at about 7,5 klm from Terni, nearly at the end of the Valnerina,

the long valley dig in the Nera river. Today, the water from the water fall is used for the production of

electricity. This is why the water fall isn't always in use but when it is in full function, it assures a spectacular

effect.