I spoke about our weekend trip to Spoleto in Umbria and I just have so many nice pictures of the city that I have to share more!
Our friends put us up in a local monastery, San Ponziano that was beautiful and set just beyond the city walls, here on the left. In about 3 minutes on foot we were already at one of the main squares of the town. In the middle is the Rocca Albornoziana and to the right is the Duomo di Spoleto. Not a bad view!
Unlike some monasteries, there either wasn’t, or we didn’t respect, a curfew. We came home late one evening to find the lobby open and the keys of various rooms on the counter of the reception desk. Trust!!
Only one caution about staying here…as soon as we entered the lobby of the monastery to check in, the woman behind the counter looked at S, shook her finger in his face, and said, “No, no, Signore! Così non si fa!” (No, no, Mister, you can’t (behave) like this) Since we had never been to the monastery, and not even to Spoleto, we were quite confused. We then found out that she had mistaken him for a guest the night before that had argued loudly and disturbed other guests.
After spending the night in our room there, we’re not quite so sure it was this other man’s fault, either. The walls in our room were paper thin and having an animated conversation passed easily through. But the rooms were nice enough, clean, and cheap!
So Spoleto was sleeping last time we looked. Now it’s starting to wake up. This is a fountain near la Rocca Albornoziana, that is similar to la Bocca della Verità in Rome, don’t you think? This topo volante, or “flying rat” as they are sometimes called in Italy, actually looks valiant for once.
Now the Duomo area is populated, and luckily there are steps and benches for people to sit and take in the sun.
Spoleto is famous for the Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of the Two Worlds) and Andy Garcia (yes, that Andy Garcia from the Untouchables and Godfather III and Ocean’s X”) will be performing a concert in late June in Spoleto! You still have time to get tickets!
Otherwise, next weekend (1-2-3 June) there is another, newer festival called Vini nel Mondo (site in Italian) – Wines of the World! There’s even a Notte Bianca del Vino on Saturday night – Notte Bianca (White Night) is kind of an Italian way to say, music, events and a party all night!! Click here for the Vini nel Mondo’s event program (Italian)!
Another example of the many streets and nooks and crannies of Spoleto. Who knows how old this particular side street is. I can’t talk enough about this town that I can’t wait to go back to for some relaxation and explore it even more. I think it’s on the fast track to become one of my favorite cities in Italy.
Complesso San Ponziano (the monastery) http://www.sanponziano.it/ (site in Italian)
(+39) 0743 22.52.88
info@sanponziano.it
Festival dei Due Mondi – June 29 – July 15
http://www.spoletofestival.it/
Vini nel Mondo – June 1 – 3
http://www.vininelmondo.org/
wow, che bei viaggi.. amo l’italia, e sarebbe meraviglioso tovare dei momenti per andare in giro un po’ più spesso. per ora lavoro… :-) ciao!
bella, bella, bella!
Beautiful photos Sara! You’ve made me want to take a trip there too. We’ve gone to the Spoleto festival in Charleston, SC for the past couple of years – kind of a “sister-city” event!
@erin – yes, I read about the sister city and how I guess they officially “broke off” from the Italian festival a few years go – I’m sure that must have been a fun argument. :)
Beautiful photographs Sara! There was a restaurant in the town I used to live called “Spoleto” – it is nice to actually see pictures of the place it was named for!
Beautiful photos! I am headed to Tuscany next year…Until then I can just come here and visit.
I don’t think I’ve ever been to Spoleto, but seeing as how one of my best friends here in Italy would probably be willing to leave her husband for Andy Garcia… maybe I’ll end up taking her to the concert… and I will not be held responsible for any marital discord that may result.
Each year, there’s a Spoleto festival in Charleston, South Carolina, but let’s just say your Spoleto ranks a little bit higher. :) Your photos are fantastic!
I was actually in Spoleto Saturday afternoon, being taunted by all the Notte Bianca and Vini Nel Mondo signage. Unfortunately, I was very short on time and had to leave within an hour or so to catch the last train back to Lombardia from Orte, which meant a criminally short speed walk through Spoleto had to suffice for now.
Oh well, that just means I’ll have to go back, right?
I just received confirmation from San Ponziano monastery for next October. Can you suggest restaurants, bicycling, unknown places etc in the area? We can’t wait to go!