The Duomo is one of
Spoleto's finest sights. Begun in the twelfth century, the
delicate-looking cathedral is set against a backdrop of hills and
valleys. The Duomo is an amalgam of styles, and boasts an apse frescoed Fra Filippo Lippi, whose tomb lies in the church.
High above the town is the Rocca, a Papal fortress which was used as a
prison until the 1980s. Guided tours (Italian and English) escort
visitors around the fortress. The views are incredible, and the
interiors are also interesting. There are some good surviving frescoes
(sadly most were whitewashed out of existence during the prison era),
including one that portrays Arthurian-type chivalric myth. As well as
original and restored features, you can also see where the former cells
were, if you fancy a twinge of horror (although, given the setting, the
views and the local cuisine, this surely can't have been the worst
prison in which to be incarcerated).
By taking a left
before you reach the Rocca, you find yourself on a panoramic walk which
encircles the summit. The pastoral views are complemented by modern
sculptures to make the stroll more varied. After a few minutes you reach
a steep wooded gorge. A massive bridge spans the chasm, the Ponte delle
Torri. Built in the fourteenth century, and defended by towers (hence
the name), this functioned as both a bridge and aqueduct; apparently a
route led directly up to the Rocca to allow for quick escapes over the
gorge in times of siege. Continuing along the path, some benches and a
bar allow for a refreshment break, before you arrive back where you
started. Alternatively, some a couple of longer walks (signposted) start
from the other side of the bridge.
La casa fu scavata
dall'archeologo spoletino Giuseppe Sordini tra il 1885 e il 1914, si
trova sul terrazzamento immediatamente superiore a quello della piazza
del foro, in una posizione ben visibile dal basso. La proprieta'
dell'edificio fu attribuita al momento della scoperta alla madre
dell'imperatore Vespasiano, Vespasia Polla.
Spoleto's Roman ruins include a
Roman theatre, just off Piazza della Liberta. An archeological
museum next door houses statues and artefacts found locally. There are
also two Roman arches visible, the Arco Romano and the Arco di Druso,
and a Casa Romana or Roman house - an atmospheric spot with
attractive mosaics.
