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From the Medieval Castle in Umbria you can easily reach the most famous places of Umbria: Perugia (27 km), Gubbio (14 km), Assisi (25 km), Spoleto (70 km) and Lake Trasimeno (45 km). Here are some fascinating itineraries that are way off the beaten track!
ITINERARY NO. 1
Between Umbria and the Marche on the tracks of the Duke of Montefeltro. The castle - Gubbio – ancient
Roman Flaminia Road.
Drive
on the Flaminia Road, following the ancient Roman road to the monastery of FONTE DELL’AVELLANA (1,200
mt above sea level). In former times this had many relationships with the castle (a beautiful view; if it
is nice weather you can see as far as San Marino).
Before arriving at Urbino you reach the small towns of Cagli, Acqualagna and Fossombrone. The area is known
for its white truffles, especially Acqualagna.
URBINO is one of the most important art cities in Italy, with the Palazzo Ducale where Duke Federico da Montefeltro
lived (he was born in our castle!).
The trip from the castle to Urbino is about 95 km long, the most part of it on the Superstrada.
To make the itinerary shorter, after Avellana take the way back to the castle on the Flaminia Road and pass
at SIGILLO and GUALDO TADINO, a well knovn city of ceramic handicrafts.
ITINERARY NO. 2
Starting from the castle you can visit two important places of culture and art: the Castle of Gradara
which is very well preserved and known through the legend of Paolo and Francesca, whose story is narrated
by Dante Alighieri, and the Republic of San Marino, one of the oldest cities in Europe which has preserved
its independence up today.
ITINERARY NO.3
Eastwards from the castle: Gubbio - Branca, direction of Gualdo Tadino - strada Flaminia, direction
of Fabbriano.
CAVES OF FRASASSI, a fascinating phenomenon of Nature, unique in its kind, consisting of a series of
halls of stalagtites and stalagmits, almost cathedrals of Nature.
FABRIANO, an ancient town with an interesting paper
museum.
The whole itinerary is about 60 km from the castle to Fabriano.
As an alternative, you can go back to the Caves of Frasassi , driving on the Flaminia Road and can also visit
SIGILLO and the MONTE CUCCO, a target for hang-gliders ,and GUALDO TADINO a city of artistic ceramic.
ITINERARY NO. 4 -
The Benedictinian places and the Nationai Park of the Sibilini Mountains: Bosco - E 45 - Foligno - Spoleto
(about 70 km).
From Spoleto you drive on a winding road alongside the Valnerina and reach NORCIA, a small town going
back to the 13th century (about 40 km) which is the place of Saint Benedict.
Long the road you can find SCHEGGINO, an old small town sets up in the hill.
From Norcia the road goes uphill in direction of the National Park of the Sibilines until you reach PIANI
DI CASTELLUCCIO where you have one of the most beautiful views (about 30 km).
CASCIA (Basilic of S. Rita) and VISSO in the Marche Region are very close to Norcia.
You can drive back to Sellano, Case Nove, Foligno, enter the Autostrada E 45, exit at Bosco until the castle
(about 105 km). In the whole area one can find the famous black truffles.
ITINERARY NO. 5 -
In the heart of Umbria: the castle - Bosco - E 45 - in direction of Rome.
About
40 km distance from the castle you reach the town of DERUTA, one of the most important centers for artistic
ceramic . You can visit several exhibitions and factories, and the Museum of the Ceramic (Museo della Ceramica).
Driving back in direction of Perugia on the E 45 you come to the town of TORGIANO (5 km), a small medieval
town with a unique wine museum (Museo del Vino).
If you drive along the old road, you reach BETTONA (5 km), then BEVAGNA (15 km) and MONTEFALCO (8 km); this
is the area where the Sagrantino wine is grown. In Montefalco you can see paintings by Benozzo Gozzoli and
other medieval artists.
You can drive back through Foligno; close the small, medieval town of TREVI, immersed in the olive trees (see
the Musem of the Olive Oil)
From Foligno, over to the Autostrada in direction of Perugia, exit at Bosco to the castle. In this case it
is also possible to visit SPELLO (in the Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore, one can see three splendid 16th-century
frescos by Pinturicchio).
ITINERARY NO. 6 -
In the South of Umbria: Bosco - E 45 - Todi. Visit to TODI, a quite famous town (about 60 km).
Driving on the E 45, exit Todi-Orvieto, you reach the splendid city of ORVIETO (Km 30) ; visit the Duomo
(Signorelli’s frescos), the well of Saint Patrick, museums and Etruscan tombs. Orvieto is famous in
the word for its wine (visit the “Enoteca Barberani”).
Continuing on the E 45, after 25 km you come to the exit of Montecastrilli. Take the direction of San Gemini,
then you reach CARSULAE, an archeological place with Roman ruins.
Visit to the PARCO DELLE TERME of the mineral water San Gemini.
ITINERARY NO. 7 -
Through the Tiber Valley: Bosco - E 45 - in direction of Cesena.
CITTA
DI CASTELLO (about 50 km), an ancient Roman town with important art monuments and museums (paintings by Signorelli,
Raffaello, ceramic works by Della Robbia).The Burri Collection is preserved at two places, Palazzo Albizzini
and “Ex Seccatoi dei Tabacchi” (former tobacco dry houses) and owns numerous works donated to
the city by the artist.
A curiosity of the history. Close S. Sepolcro there is a small village called Cospaia, that for 400 years
has been independent. In the treaty between the Vatican State and the Ducate of Tuscany, after the battle
of Anghiari (1441), by mistake a small edge of land was out of the sovereignty of the two States, and 400
persons lived free till 1826.
If you want to drive on, you can choose among the following possibilities:
SAN SEPOLCRO, important paintings of Piero della Francesca and the Cathedral.
CAPRESE MICHELANGELO (25 km), birth place of the famous Italian artist Michelangelo.
LA VERNA, with its impressive monastery of Franciscan monks (about 35 km).
AREZZO, about 40 km. If you drive from La Verna to Arezzo, you reach the ABBEY OF CAMALDOLI, an impressive
place with century-old forests.
ITINERARY NO. 8 -
The places of Trasimeno Lake; tracks of Etruscan,
Roman and Medieval history: Take E 45, direction of Perugia -
Superstrada to Firenze. After about Km 50 (from the castle), you reach
the Trasimeno Lake.
CASTIGLIONE DEL LAGO, town going back to the 13° century.
CITTÀ DELLA PIEVE, birth place of Piero Vannucci, known as “Perugino.”
PANICALE, you can see the frescos of Perugino, Masolino da Panicale and Caporali.
CHIUSI, one of the most important Etruscan towns in Italy. You can see the National Archaeological Museum
(very important Etruscan artifacts), Etruscan tombs and the Catacombs.