Spello (Hispellum in Latin) is an Italian town of 8 466 inhabitants in the province of Perugia in Umbria. It is part of the circuit of the most beautiful villages in Italy and boasts the Orange Flag tourist-environmental quality mark, awarded by the Italian Touring Club.
Spello is a municipality that occupies the south-eastern sector
of the province of Perugia, in the Umbra Valley. The capital is
located at an altitude of 280 m above sea level.
The surface
of the municipality extends into the mountains, hills and plains.
The municipality rises, together with nearby Assisi, on the western
slopes of the Monte Subasio chain, in the Umbria-Marche Apennines.
It borders to the north with Assisi, to the north-east with
Valtopina, to the south and south-east with Foligno, to the
south-west with Bevagna and to the west with Cannara. It is
approximately 5 km from Foligno, 30 km from Perugia, 12 km from
Assisi and 35 km from Spoleto.
Spello, a charming medieval town in Umbria perched on the slopes of
Mount Subasio, boasts a rich tapestry of Roman, medieval, and
Renaissance heritage. Its well-preserved structures offer glimpses into
ancient history, artistic masterpieces, and architectural evolution.
Below is an expanded overview of key sites, incorporating additional
historical context and details.
Porta Consolare: Serving as the
primary gateway to the ancient Roman city of Hispellum, this impressive
structure dates back to the 1st century B.C. Constructed from local
limestone quarried from Mount Subasio, it features three arched openings
(a central one for chariots and two side ones for pedestrians), a
medieval square tower added later, and three Republican-era marble
statues. These funerary statues, originally from the nearby amphitheater
area, were incorporated in the 16th century. Archaeological layers
beneath the central arch reveal pre-Roman, Roman, and medieval phases,
highlighting the site's enduring significance as Spello's southern
entrance.
Augustan Walls and Porta Urbica: Spanning approximately 2
kilometers, these Augustan-era fortifications (from the time of Emperor
Augustus, around 27 B.C. to 14 A.D.) rank among Italy's most significant
and intact ancient city walls, built on earlier Roman foundations and
later reinforced in the medieval period. The Porta Urbica, a grand gate
with a small watchtower, exemplifies the defensive architecture,
blending Roman engineering with later additions that protected the town
from invasions.
Porta Venere and Towers of Properzio: This harmonious
Augustan gate, named after a nearby ancient temple dedicated to Venus
(the goddess of beauty), features three elegant arched openings and is
flanked by two imposing Romanesque dodecagonal towers known as the
Towers of Properzio. Dating to the 1st century B.C., the structure
reflects classical Roman symmetry and was part of the city's western
defenses, offering stunning views of the surrounding Umbrian valley.
Porta dell'Arce or dei Cappuccini: As the northern Roman entrance to the
city, this gate (also known as the Arch of the Cappuccini) dates to the
ancient era and connects to paths leading up Mount Subasio. It
integrates into the medieval walls and serves as a link to nearby hiking
trails and panoramic viewpoints.
Town Hall (Palazzo Comunale):
Located in Piazza della Repubblica, this 13th-century building houses
Roman inscriptions, two Flavian-era portraits (from the 1st century
A.D.), a prestigious library with Venetian-style furniture, and the
renowned Rescript of Constantine (333-337 A.D.), an imperial decree
granting privileges to Hispellum. Built in 1270 and expanded in the 16th
century, it once overlooked the ancient Roman forum. Outside, a
16th-century fountain bears the emblem of Pope Julius III, adding to its
historical layers.
Palazzo Baglioni: Situated in Piazza della
Repubblica, this palace served as the residence of the powerful Baglioni
family from Perugia, who ruled Spello until 1648. Briefly occupied by
the family, it later housed the apostolic governor from 1583 until 1860,
when Spello rejoined the Italian unification. Over the 16th and 17th
centuries, it functioned as a fortress, governor's home, and even a
prison, reflecting the town's turbulent political history.
Palazzo
Urbani: Also known as Palazzo Cruciani or Acuti, this early 17th-century
structure in Via Garibaldi features a splendid wooden gallery with a
canopy, exemplifying Baroque elegance. Built around 1602 by a noble
family, its loggia with harmonious arches and decorative details
provides a noble perspective on the city, and it once served as the seat
of the commune after 1972.
Tega Chapel (Cappella di Sant’Anna o
Tega): This chapel contains exquisite frescoes by Niccolò di Liberatore
(known as l’Alunno) and the workshop of Pietro di Mazzaforte, dating to
1461. Originally part of a 14th-century hospital run by the St. Anne
Disciplined Fraternity until 1571, the frescoes—covering walls and
vaults—were rediscovered in 1911 under plaster. Though generally closed,
it opens for special events and exhibitions.
Collegiate Church of
Santa Maria Maggiore: Spello's principal church, founded between the
11th and 12th centuries, houses the renowned Baglioni Chapel with
frescoes by Pinturicchio (c. 1500-1501) depicting scenes from Mary's
life and Christ's childhood, alongside a Deruta majolica floor by "Il
Frate" (1566). The main altar's rare ciborium is by Rocco da Vicenza
(1515), while the facade was rebuilt in 1644 over the original
13th-century design. The interior blends Baroque elements, including
altars and a Renaissance pulpit, with works by Perugino.
Church of
Sant'Andrea Apostolo: This 11th-century church, rebuilt in 1253 by
Franciscan Friars Minor, features a Latin cross plan with a single nave
and houses Pinturicchio's altarpiece "Madonna Enthroned with Saints"
(1506-1508), completed by collaborators like Eusebio da San Giorgio. It
includes a 15th-century baptistery chapel and a late 13th-century altar
with relics of Blessed Andrea Caccioli in a gilded urn.
Church of San
Lorenzo Martire: Dating to the 12th century, this church showcases
medieval artworks, Renaissance frescoes depicting biblical stories, a
15th-century tabernacle, and striking 17th-century paintings. Its simple
Romanesque architecture includes a Baroque altar, creating a serene
space for reflection.
Church of San Claudio: Located just outside the
town, this 11th-century Romanesque church may have been constructed over
an ancient temple to Saturn. It features 14th-century frescoes by Cola
Petruccioli da Orvieto and 15th-century works by an unknown artist,
blending Romanesque and Gothic elements with panoramic views of the
Umbrian valley.
Church of San Girolamo: Built starting in 1472 with
funding from Braccio Baglioni, this 15th-century church and convent
complex hosted Observant Friars Minor until suppression. Featuring a
single nave with an apse decorated in Baroque style during the 18th
century, it includes a fresco attributed to Rocco Zoppo. Situated
outside the walls along the road to Collepino, it offers a peaceful
retreat.
Late Roman (Augustan) Villa (Villa dei Mosaici): Discovered
in 2005 in the Sant'Anna area, this imperial villa from the late 1st to
early 4th century A.D. is enclosed in a modern protective structure. It
boasts remarkably preserved mosaics depicting local animals, geometric
patterns, birds, hunting scenes, and mythological figures across 20
rooms, likely a luxurious seasonal residence for a wealthy family.
Villa Costanzi (Villa Fidelia): Better known as Villa Fidelia, this
17th-18th-century estate was originally built in the 16th century by the
Urbani family on the site of an ancient sacred area with a Temple of
Venus, theater, and Roman baths. Enlarged in 1700 by Teresa Pamphili
Grillo, it features a rectangular plan with Baroque and neoclassical
facades, an Italian garden, Baroque garden, and cypress park. Today, it
hosts annual events, concerts, and exhibitions, with the park open
year-round.
Civic and Diocesan Art Gallery (Pinacoteca Civica):
Housed in the 16th-century Palazzo dei Canonici adjacent to Santa Maria
Maggiore, this gallery originated in 1916 with sacred art from local
churches and expanded in 1920. It displays a diverse collection from the
13th to 20th centuries, including paintings, sculptures, textiles, and
furnishings like a 13th-century polychrome wooden Madonna Enthroned, a
Deposed Crucifix, Paolo Vanni’s 1398 processional cross, and
Pinturicchio’s Madonna and Child.
Spello, known in antiquity as Hispellum, has roots tracing back to
the Umbrian people, a pre-Roman Italic tribe that inhabited central
Italy. Archaeological evidence indicates early settlement from the 7th
to 4th centuries BC, with ceramic objects and grave goods discovered
near the church of Sant' Andrea, which later became the site of the
Roman forum. A significant necropolis extended from the Portonaccio gate
along Via Baldini toward the modern railway station, in use from the 7th
to 1st centuries BC, though most tombs date to the 3rd or 2nd centuries
BC. Excavations in the late 1970s revealed undisturbed inhumation tombs
containing items like dice, coins from 217-215 BC, mirrors, perfume
flasks, and Etruscan imports, highlighting trade and cultural exchanges
with neighboring regions. Another necropolis at Santa Luciola, on the
road to Assisi and Perugia, dates to the 5th century BC.
A key
Umbrian sanctuary was located at Villa Fidelia, below the city walls,
where a 5th-4th century BC votive bronze hand was found in 1990 near the
Roman theatre's edge. This site may have been linked to the pan-Umbrian
federation or originally under the control of nearby Mevania (modern
Bevagna) until Roman colonization. Umbrian inscriptions, such as a
votive altar to Jupiter from the 3rd century BC or earlier, and a
perfume flask inscribed around 200 BC, provide glimpses into religious
practices and daily life.
Roman influence began in the late 3rd to
2nd centuries BC, with urban development including terraced retaining
walls in opera quadrata limestone near the forum area. The town's
proximity to the Via Flaminia, constructed in 220 BC and passing just 2
km away, facilitated this growth, following the establishment of a Roman
colony at Spoletium (Spoleto) in 241 BC. During the Second Punic War
(218-201 BC), literary sources mention Hispellum's involvement, such as
an ally at the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC, though this remains
unconfirmed by other records.
Full Roman colonization occurred in 41
BC under the triumvirs (Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus), establishing
Colonia Julia Hispellum as a settlement for veterans. Prior to this,
Spello may have been a vicus (village) dependent on Mevania rather than
an autonomous municipium after the Social Wars around 90 BC. The town
was built on a hill at the foot of Monte Subasio for health reasons,
avoiding the marshy Topino River valley, where veterans reclaimed land
and improved Etruscan canals. Walls were constructed more for landslide
prevention than defense, with a main street running from Porta Consolare
(2nd century BC) at the lowest point to Porta dell'Arce at the highest.
Other notable gates include Porta Venere (associated with a Venus
temple) and the Arch of Augustus (1st century BC to 1st century AD).
During the imperial era, Spello flourished. Under Constantine the Great
(early 4th century AD), it was renamed Flavia Constans, and a grand
Roman temple from this period—marking the empire's transition to
Christianity—was discovered in 2023 beneath a carpark. Remnants of an
amphitheater near San Claudio, traces of centuriation (Roman land
division) in a nearby valley, and a large villa from the Augustan Era
(27 BC to 14 AD) underscore its prosperity.
Medieval History
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD, Spello
was destroyed by the Ostrogoths under Totila and incorporated into the
Longobard (Lombard) Duchy of Spoleto during the Early Middle Ages. This
led to a population decline, with inhabitants retreating to the hilltop,
transforming the town into a castle-like structure.
By the 12th
century, Spello emerged as an independent commune, reflecting the
broader rise of city-states in Italy. Around 1198-1200, it was subdued
by the Papal States, leveraging its proximity to Rome. Population growth
after the year 1000 prompted reoccupation of the full Roman area, with
towers added to gates like Porta Consolare and Porta Venere. In the 14th
century, the town expanded beyond Roman walls, and new fortifications
were built around 1360 during the restoration of papal authority in
Umbria under Cardinal Gil de Albornoz, who placed a small fortress at
the hilltop to curb local self-government.
From 1389, during the
Great Western Schism, Spello was granted to the Baglioni family of
Perugia, who ruled until 1583, valuing its strategic position at the
northern entrance to the Umbrian valley. This era saw artistic
flourishing, with major churches along the main street, such as Santa
Maria Maggiore (documented from 1159, built over a temple to Juno and
Vesta, featuring Pinturicchio frescoes c. 1500 and Perugino works from
1512), Sant'Andrea (from 1025, with 14th-century frescoes and a
Pinturicchio altarpiece), and San Lorenzo (12th century, where San
Bernardino da Siena preached in 1438). Other sites include the Tega
Chapel (14th century, with 15th-century frescoes by Nicolò Alunno) and
San Claudio (11th century or earlier, Romanesque with votive frescoes).
Secular buildings like the Old Town Hall (1270, enlarged 1567-1575),
Palazzo Baglioni (fortified c. 1359, with 16th-century frescoes), and
Palazzo Cruciali (early 17th century) reflect communal governance and
noble influence. Churches featured distinctive white and pink stone
decorations, akin to those in Foligno and Assisi.
Modern History
After the Baglioni rule ended in 1583, Spello came under direct Papal
States dominion, interrupted briefly by Napoleonic control, until
Italian unification in 1860. Today, it is a comune in Perugia province,
Umbria, with a population of about 8,579 (as of 2016) across 61 km². The
town preserves its medieval layout, enclosed by walls on Roman
foundations, and includes a modern borgo served by the Rome-Florence
rail line via Perugia. Recognized as one of "The most beautiful villages
of Italy," Spello hosts cultural events like the Infiorate festival,
where flower carpets are created for Corpus Domini. It has twin towns,
including Alfonsine (since 1974) and a friendship pact with Accadia
(since 2008). Recent archaeological finds, such as the 4th-century
temple, continue to enrich its historical narrative.
Spello is an ancient town located in eastern-central Umbria, Italy, within the province of Perugia. It sits on the lower southern flank of Monte Subasio, a prominent mountain in the Apennine range, at coordinates approximately 42.983°N latitude and 12.667°E longitude. The town is positioned about 6 km north-northwest of Foligno and 10 km south-southeast of Assisi, making it part of a cluster of historic hill towns in the region. The comune (municipality) of Spello covers an area that includes several frazioni (hamlets) such as Collepino, San Giovanni, Limiti, Acquatino, and Capitan Loreto, extending from the hillside into the surrounding plains. Geographically, Spello is nestled in the Umbrian Valley, a fertile plain formed by tectonic activity in the Apennines, which contributes to its strategic position offering panoramic views over the valley toward Perugia.
Spello's topography is characterized by a regularly sloping ridge oriented northwest to southeast, where the medieval walled town is perched, descending gradually to meet the Umbrian plain below. The town's historic core is built on this ridge, providing a commanding elevation that overlooks the surrounding landscape. The area features significant elevation variations: within a 2-mile radius, the terrain changes by up to 1,650 feet, with the town's average elevation around 699 feet (213 meters) above sea level, though the broader municipal area ranges from a minimum of 607 feet (185 meters) in the plains to a maximum of 4,226 feet (1,288 meters) near the peaks of Monte Subasio. This rugged terrain includes hilly slopes, valleys, and mountainous backdrops, with nearby peaks such as Pettino (3,743 feet), Montefiorello (2,664 feet), and Monte Torrone (3,461 feet) dominating the horizon. The lower parts of the town extend into a modern borgo (suburb) on the plain, served by rail lines, while the upper ridges are dotted with olive groves, vineyards, and remnants of Roman centuriation (ancient land division patterns) in eastern valleys. The landscape is predominantly cropland (78% within 2 miles) interspersed with artificial surfaces (15%) and, farther out, trees (30% within 10 miles), reflecting a mix of agricultural and urban influences. Monte Subasio itself, part of the Monte Subasio Regional Park, adds to the dramatic setting with its karstic features, hiking trails, and biodiversity, including forests and pastures.
Geologically, Spello lies within the Umbria-Marche Apennines, a fold-and-thrust belt formed during the Miocene-Pliocene orogeny, characterized by carbonate rock sequences. The area is dominated by limestones and marls, with key formations including Turonian limestones that host deep aquifers and overlying Senonian marls that act as impermeable barriers. Active normal faults, typical of the extensional tectonics in central Italy, dissect the region, creating sub-vertical fault zones that influence groundwater movement and spring emergences. A notable example is the Molinaccio spring, located near Spello, where geophysical surveys (e.g., electrical resistivity tomography and ground penetrating radar) have revealed fault-controlled hydrogeology, with altered rock zones contrasting against undisturbed carbonates. Shallow Quaternary deposits cover parts of the area, and ancient Roman aqueducts, like the one at Molinaccio, interact with these structures by draining spring water. This setup implies seismic risks due to fault activity, potential for groundwater contamination along fault pathways, and a karstic landscape prone to caves and sinkholes on Monte Subasio. The broader Italian context shows that Umbria is about 75% mountainous or hilly, with Spello's position reflecting this tectonic heritage.
Spello enjoys a Mediterranean climate (classified as Csa under the
Köppen system), featuring warm, dry summers and mild, wetter winters,
moderated by its inland position and proximity to the Adriatic Sea
(about 100 km east) and the Tyrrhenian Sea (about 120 km west). Average
temperatures range from 34°F (1°C) to 88°F (31°C) annually, with
extremes rarely below 25°F (-4°C) or above 96°F (36°C). The hot season
lasts about 2.8 months (mid-June to early September), with July highs
averaging 86°F (30°C) and lows of 61°F (16°C). Winters are longer and
cooler, spanning 3.8 months (mid-November to early March), with January
highs at 48°F (9°C) and lows at 34°F (1°C).
Precipitation is
year-round but higher in the wetter period from early September to
mid-June (daily chance >22%), totaling about 3.3 inches (84 mm) in
November over 9 wet days, compared to 1.0 inch (25 mm) in July over 4.5
days. Snow is rare. Humidity is generally comfortable, with a brief
muggy period in summer (June to September, peaking at 2.7 muggy days in
August), based on dew points. Wind speeds vary mildly, windier in
fall/winter (up to 8.4 mph in February) and calmer in summer (6.5 mph in
August), with directions shifting from east (winter) to south
(spring/fall) and west (summer). Cloud cover is more pronounced in
winter (51% overcast in January) versus clearer summers (83% clear in
July), affecting solar energy from 1.6 kWh/m² in December to 7.4 kWh/m²
in July. The growing season runs 8 months (late March to late November),
accumulating 3,568 growing degree days. Topography influences local
microclimates: the elevation and nearby mountains can channel winds,
enhance orographic precipitation on slopes, and provide cooler nights,
while the plain below experiences more uniform conditions. Overall, the
climate supports agriculture like olive and wine production, with
optimal tourism from late May to early October for clear, rainless days.