OCTOBER 2018 : ITALY : VIA DI FRANCESCO : DAY 20 : Spoleto

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A rest day today to explore Spoleto. A wise move. After a tiring walk yesterday we would not have done this heritage city justice.

Initially it looks a very concentrated intense settlement and difficult to navigate.

Today we discovered the upper section, very accessible from our humble hotel, is full of parks, modern buildings as well as fascinating historic churches and public buildings.

An early history...

We made our way up to the Corso via a beautiful public park

Breakfast in an Arts Cafe

Fabric stores

Truffle products - a specialty in this region 

Art galleries

Lots of small piazzas as we climbed to the top of the city

Clock towers

14th century fountain

We climbed to the top to the Albornoz Fortress. 1360.

Gate had solid fortifications for a heavy wooden door and sliding portcullis.

A large forecourt. Used now for concerts.

An aqueduct in the forest. This is where the Via di Francesco emerges on the harder alternative blue route.

Attractive views from the summit

I caught sight of a beautiful property on the edge of the city

Determined to find it, we walked along alley ways and spotted it. It is called Palazzo Veti, a boutique hotel.

Lifts and escalators to the various levels of the city

We found the forecourt of the Duomo. Also used for large concerts and community events.

This present building was completed in the 12th century. It is dedicated to Sant Maria Asunta.

Ancient artefacts in the forecourt 

The highlight were the frescoes. Friar Filippo Lippi’s fresco cycle (1467-1469)

Walking back down the laneways

Lunch time..

In a shady garden setting

Tasty lunch and rosé

A trip to the Archaeological Museum

A Roman theatre in excellent condition

A meal tonight on the Corso.

A very enjoyable and fascinating rest day.

M&M