Lucadea.com - Tag: perugia

28 June 2026

Two works by Perugino at the National Gallery of Umbria

Due opere del Perugino alla Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria a Perugia

Two works by Perugino at the National Gallery of Umbria.
During a holiday in Umbria, in Perugia, I visited the National Gallery of Umbria together with my wife, looking for a deeper sense of what to see in Perugia beyond its historic streets. Inside the quiet museum rooms, we found ourselves standing in front of two works by Perugino that immediately drew our attention.
The paintings were The Adoration of the Magi and the Terzi Altarpiece, two works that clearly show the calm balance and refined composition typical of Renaissance painting. Standing in front of them, you can feel the harmony of forms and the gentle structure that defines Pietro Perugino’s artistic language.
Perugia, Umbria, Italy, felt almost suspended in time within those museum walls. The National Gallery of Umbria is not just a collection of artworks, but a space where paintings seem to speak quietly to each other and to the visitor, without needing explanation. Simply spending a few minutes in front of these works was enough to understand their rhythm.
One interesting detail about Perugino is that he was the teacher of Raphael, and one of the most influential painters of the Italian Renaissance. His style helped shape a visual idea of balance and serenity that can still be seen in many Umbrian artworks from the same period.
I still remember the silence of the room and the way light fell softly across the painted surfaces, revealing details gradually. It wasn’t a rushed visit, but a slow moment of observation that stayed with me long after leaving the museum.
It made me think about how Renaissance art can still communicate so directly today, even without technical knowledge—if you simply take the time to look.

When you visit a museum, do you tend to stay in front of one artwork longer, or move quickly from one to the next? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photos taken with Canon EOS RP camera and Canon RF 24-50 lens. Permission was requested from security staff to take and publish the photos on the website.

The Museum’s official website is: gallerianazionaledellumbria.it.

To see all the photos I took in the museum, click here:

Pietro di Cristoforo Vannucci, known as Pietro Perugino, il Perugino, or the Divine Painter (Città della Pieve, c. 1448 – Fontignano, February 1523), was an Italian painter. Simultaneously running two very active workshops, in Florence and Perugia, he was for a couple of decades the most famous and influential Italian painter of his time, so much so that Agostino Chigi called him “the best master in Italy.” He fused the light and monumentality of Piero della Francesca with the naturalism and linear style of Andrea del Verrocchio, filtering them through the gentle manner of Umbrian painting. He was Raphael’s teacher.
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Two works by Perugino at the National Gallery of Umbria – Deux œuvres du Pérugin à la Galerie nationale de l’Ombrie – Dos obras de Perugino en la Galería Nacional de Umbría – Duas obras de Perugino na Galeria Nacional da Úmbria – Zwei Werke von Perugino in der Nationalgalerie Umbriens – Hai tác phẩm của Perugino tại Phòng trưng bày Quốc gia Umbria – 乌姆布里亚国家美术馆的佩鲁吉诺作品 – ウンブリア国立美術館のペルジーノ作品

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24 June 20267 August 2026

A red Fiat 500 in Spello’s stone alleys

Fiat 500 rossa parcheggiata in un vicolo di Spello in Umbria tra case in pietra del borgo storico

A red Fiat 500 in Spello’s stone alleys.
Among the things to see in Spello, Umbria, Italy, there are not only historic monuments and famous viewpoints, but also the small everyday details that give a village its unique character. Walking through the stone alleys of Spello, I found this red Fiat 500 parked between old houses, a simple element that transformed an ordinary street scene into a photograph with a strong Italian identity.
During my last holiday in Umbria, I visited several of the most beautiful villages in the region, and Spello was certainly one of the places that impressed me the most. I wanted to capture this moment with my camera because the combination of the car, the narrow street and the ancient stone buildings perfectly represented the atmosphere I was experiencing while walking through the village.
The Fiat 500 is more than just a small car. Over time, it has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Italian culture and everyday life. Seeing one parked in a historic alley of Spello creates an interesting contrast between the old stones of the village and an object that belongs to more recent memories. This meeting between history and daily life is often what makes a photograph more personal and memorable.
Spello, located in the province of Perugia, Umbria, Italy, still preserves the charm of a historic center shaped by narrow streets, arches and stone houses. The ancient Roman town of Hispellum left important traces through its walls and monumental gates, while the medieval village remains a place best explored slowly on foot.
A small historical detail about the Fiat 500 is that the modern version was introduced in 1957 and became one of the vehicles that represented Italy’s economic growth after the Second World War. It quickly became a familiar presence in towns and villages throughout the country.
This photograph connects naturally with my other stories about Spello, from the alleys with support arches to Consolare Gate, Urbica Gate and the Baglioni Chapel. Through these images, I have tried to tell not only the famous attractions of the village but also those small details that reveal its everyday personality.
If you are visiting Spello and wondering what to see, remember to look beyond the main landmarks. An old doorway, an architectural detail or even a colorful car can become the most memorable image of your walk.

Have you ever photographed an everyday object that, placed in a historic setting, became the true subject of your picture? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and Canon RF 24-50 lens.

To see all the photos I took in the village, click here:

Here’s where the village is located:

Spello (Hispellum in Latin) is an Italian municipality 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 tourism and environmental quality mark, awarded by the Italian Touring Club. Spello was founded by the Umbrians and later named Hispellum in Roman times; it was later registered with the Lemonia tribe. It was later declared a “Colonia Giulia” by Caesar and a “Splendidissima Colonia Julia” by Augustus, because it supported him in the wars of Perugia. After Augustus’ victory, he himself ceded to Hispellum a large part of the territories governed by Perusia, and the dominion of the city of Spello extended to the sources of the Clitunno River, which had previously been under the control of Mevania. It was later called “Flavia Costante” by Constantine. Ancient Spello was considered one of the most important cities in Roman Umbria.
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24 June 202628 July 2026

The Monumental Fountain in Bevagna main square

Fontana Monumentale in piazza Filippo Silvestri davanti alla chiesa di San Silvestro a Bevagna

The Monumental Fountain in Bevagna main square.
While walking through the historic centre of Bevagna, in Umbria, Italy, I stopped in the town’s main square to photograph the Monumental Fountain in Piazza Filippo Silvestri, one of the most characteristic corners of the village. Standing in front of the Church of San Silvestro, the fountain completes a space where medieval architecture and everyday life still meet.
This photograph comes from my attention to the small urban details that often make Italian villages so special. I did not want to capture only a famous building, but the relationship between the fountain and the square around it, because it is the combination of these elements that creates the real atmosphere of a place.
The Monumental Fountain of Bevagna is located in the heart of the village, inside Piazza Filippo Silvestri, one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Umbria. Several important buildings overlook this space, including the Church of San Silvestro, creating a harmonious architectural setting that immediately attracts visitors.
I took this photograph during my visit to Bevagna because the square caught my attention with its balance and simplicity. The fountain may appear to be just a small detail, but it helps define the character of the square and becomes a natural meeting point for people walking through the historic centre.
One interesting detail about the square is its connection with Bevagna’s medieval identity. The town is famous for the Mercato delle Gaite, a historical event that recreates medieval life through ancient crafts, workshops and traditions, bringing the atmosphere of the past back into the streets.
Bevagna is located in the province of Perugia, in the Umbria region of Italy, and it is one of those small towns where every walk can reveal a new photographic opportunity. The fountain in Piazza Filippo Silvestri is one of these details: not just a decorative object, but a part of the village’s identity.
On my photo blog I have often shared images of squares, churches and historic Italian towns, trying to focus also on less obvious details that make each place unique. Like other photographs dedicated to Umbrian villages, this image comes from the desire to preserve the memory of a place I personally visited.
If you are looking for places to see in Bevagna, a stop at Piazza Filippo Silvestri and its Monumental Fountain is certainly a good way to discover the atmosphere of this medieval village.

Have you ever walked through Bevagna’s main square and seen this fountain? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and Canon RF 24-50 lens.

To see all the photos I took in the village, click here:

Here’s where the fountain is located:

Filippo Silvestri (Bevagna, June 22, 1873 – Portici, June 10, 1949) was an Italian entomologist. His subsequent career developed within this institution, becoming director of the Higher Agricultural Institute of Portici between 1920 and 1930 and bringing it to worldwide fame. The institute’s insect collection, which includes approximately two thousand species collected by Silvestri in over half a century of activity, is still considered among the most important in the world.
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13 June 202613 August 2026

A Narrow Alley in Montefalco, Umbria

Vicolo in pietra nel borgo di Montefalco in Umbria, tra le caratteristiche case del centro storico medievale

A Narrow Alley in Montefalco, Umbria.
Walking through the historic center of Montefalco, among stone streets and houses gathered on the hillside, I stopped in front of this small passage because it seemed to capture something essential about the village. This view of Montefalco is made of only a few elements, yet the street itself says a great deal about the shape and character of the old town.
Montefalco is in the province of Perugia, Umbria, Italy, and its historic center stands on the top of a hill. You notice that position most clearly while walking through the narrow streets. Some roads climb steadily, others follow the shape of the hillside, and many eventually lead towards the central part of the village.
That constant change of perspective is one of the things I enjoy when photographing Montefalco. A few more steps can reveal another facade, a doorway, a short climb or another stretch of stone paving. I do not always look for a particular monument. Quite often, I simply walk and let the streets suggest where I should stop.
I took this photograph myself during my walk through the village. What caught my attention was the simplicity of the scene and the way the surrounding buildings frame the alley. Nothing needs to be added to the image. The road, the houses and the compact structure of the historic center already provide everything needed to describe the place.
If you are wondering what to see in Montefalco, the Town Hall square, churches, historic gates and old buildings naturally come to mind. But I think the smaller alleys deserve attention as well. They connect the better-known places and offer a more direct sense of how the village is actually experienced on foot.
Montefalco’s elevated position also explains its traditional nickname, the “Balcony of Umbria”, referring to the wide views available from the hill across the surrounding countryside. In this photograph, however, I was not looking for the panorama. I turned my camera inward, towards the quieter scale of the historic center.
Montefalco preserves many traces of its medieval past, and the old town still shows a close relationship between streets, houses and historic defensive structures. This makes it particularly rewarding to walk without a strict photographic plan, because small details appear continuously and can become subjects in their own right.
One of the best-known historic places is the former San Francesco complex, now home to the Civic Museum, with important artistic works connected with the history of Montefalco. It provides an interesting glimpse into the cultural importance of the town, but after visiting an important building, I naturally find myself looking again at the surrounding streets.
Those narrow streets often provide the quieter side of the experience. A main square can immediately reveal the history and public importance of a village, while a less prominent alley can show how that historic setting continues to exist as part of everyday life.
Wine is another part of Montefalco’s identity. The surrounding area is particularly associated with Sagrantino, one of Umbria’s best-known local wines. It is a detail that adds another layer to understanding the area, although it was not what I wanted to photograph here. My attention remained on a small fragment of the historic center.
I like to think of this image together with the other photographs of Montefalco that I have shared on the blog. I have already photographed a steep alley and the main square with the Town Hall, and this view can be seen as another part of the same walk. They are not completely separate scenes, but different moments along a route through the village.
What strikes me most when I look at this photograph again is its ordinary quality. It does not necessarily show Montefalco’s most famous landmark. Instead, it shows a street that you might simply encounter while walking around. Those are often the details that make a historic village feel more personal to the photographer.
The alley almost becomes an invitation to continue. The road disappears beyond the frame, leaving the next corner to the imagination. I like that quality in travel photographs: showing enough to establish a place while leaving something outside the frame for the viewer to discover.
For me, Montefalco is largely this combination of slopes, stone, houses and constantly changing perspectives. A photograph of one small alley might seem modest on its own, but within the context of the village it becomes a personal record of a walk through the historic center.
Looking back at this image, I am reminded why I enjoy photographing Italian historic towns. It is not only about preserving memories of monuments. It is also about keeping those unexpected views that appear almost by chance and often become some of the most enjoyable memories after returning home.

Would you stop to photograph a small alley like this while walking through Montefalco? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and Canon RF 24-50 lens.

To see all the photos I took in the village, click here:

Here’s where Montefalco is located:

Montefalco is an Italian municipality in the province of Perugia in Umbria. It is the hub of the wine region where Sagrantino di Montefalco and Montefalco Rosso are produced. According to tradition, the name Montefalco is attributed to Frederick II of Swabia. The emperor, visiting the area in the 13th century, noted the large number of falcons and decided to change the name of the town from Coccorone (Cors Coronae) to its current name.
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9 June 202613 August 2026

A Glimpse of Montefalco in Umbria

Scorcio di Montefalco in Umbria con vicoli in salita e caratteristiche case del borgo medievale

A Glimpse of Montefalco in Umbria.
Walking through the narrow streets of this hill town in the province of Perugia, I once again found myself stopping for the kind of simple view that makes photographing Montefalco so enjoyable. The medieval village streets and their steep climbs immediately reveal the unusual position of the town, built on top of a hill.
This photograph captures one of those small moments. There is no need for a famous monument or a large square to recognize the character of Montefalco. The closely spaced houses, the stone paving and the uphill street are already enough to suggest the shape and atmosphere of the historic center.
Montefalco is the kind of village I prefer to explore without following a completely fixed route. Its layout encourages you to walk, turn a corner and discover what appears a few steps further on. The streets climb and meet one another, creating new perspectives almost continuously. If you are wondering what to see in Montefalco, these passages between the houses are part of the experience as much as the better-known buildings.
I took this photograph myself during my walk, trying to emphasize the shape of the street and the way the buildings guide the route. It is a simple scene, but I think it captures something important about a town built around the natural form of its hill.
Montefalco is in the province of Perugia, Umbria, Italy, and its historic center still preserves an urban structure strongly connected with its medieval origins. The elevated position is therefore more than a feature of the surrounding landscape. It directly influences the way the streets are arranged and experienced.
You only need to walk along one of the inner streets to notice it. The climbs become a natural part of the route, while the narrow lanes seem to lead towards the main public spaces of the town. The Town Hall square is one of the main reference points, but reaching it means passing through precisely the kind of streets that give Montefalco its distinctive appearance.
There is a small curiosity connected with Montefalco’s position. The town is sometimes called the “Balcony of Umbria”, a reference to its elevated setting and the broad views across the surrounding countryside. It is an expression that suits the location very well, although in this photograph I was more interested in looking towards the streets and houses than towards the landscape.
When I photograph a place like this, I am mainly looking for a balance between what is immediately recognizable and what belongs to everyday life. A narrow street may not have the visual impact of a wide panorama, but it can reveal a great deal through its materials, proportions and relationship with the surrounding buildings.
Here, the stone is one of the elements that gives the scene its identity. The surface of the street and the facades create a visual continuity that can be found in many Umbrian hill towns. In Montefalco, however, the slope adds something distinctive: the road does not simply cross the village, it seems to climb through it.
That is the feeling I wanted to preserve in the composition. I wanted the direction of the climb to remain visible while allowing the houses to form the edges of the image. The result is not simply a record of a street, but a memory of the way I encountered it while walking through the village.
This photograph naturally connects with the other Montefalco images I have shared on the blog, including the steep alley and the Town Hall in the main square. Seen together, they almost create a small route through the village, following the streets upwards towards the center.
That continuity is something I like to keep in my travel photography. One photograph can describe a detail, while several views of the same place can convey more of the actual experience of being there. Not only the major landmarks, but also the streets used to reach them.
Looking at this image again, I think it represents Montefalco precisely because it does not try to show everything. It is simply one view of the village, with its uphill street and stone houses, one of those places where I wanted to stop for a moment before continuing the walk.

Would you enjoy exploring Montefalco by following its narrow streets towards the main square? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and Canon RF 24-50 lens.

To see all the photos I took in the village, click here:

Here’s where Montefalco is located:

Montefalco is an Italian municipality in the province of Perugia in Umbria. It is the hub of the wine region where Sagrantino di Montefalco and Montefalco Rosso are produced. According to tradition, the name Montefalco is attributed to Frederick II of Swabia. The emperor, visiting the area in the 13th century, noted the large number of falcons and decided to change the name of the town from Coccorone (Cors Coronae) to its current name.
Continue and learn more at Wikipedia

6 June 20267 August 2026

A glimpse of the historic village of Spello

Uno scorcio del borgo di Spello in Umbria

A glimpse of the historic village of Spello.
Among the things to see in Spello, Umbria, Italy, the small streets and everyday views of the village are some of the best ways to understand its authentic character. This photograph captures one of those quiet moments when walking without a precise destination allows you to discover corners made of stone, narrow passages and old architecture shaped by centuries of history.
When I visited Spello with my wife some time ago, I spent time looking for these less obvious details. I wanted to capture this scene with my camera because it represents the way I experience travel photography: not only through famous monuments, but also through the streets and spaces that reveal the daily life of a place.
Walking through the historic center of Spello means constantly finding new perspectives. Stone houses, streets following the natural shape of the hill and small passages between buildings create different views at every turn. This is what makes photographing a village like Spello so interesting: even a simple street can become a visual story about the connection between people, landscape and architecture.
Spello, located in the province of Perugia, Umbria, Italy, still preserves important traces of its Roman and medieval past. The ancient town of Hispellum was an important Roman settlement, and today the village continues to show this heritage through its walls, monumental gates and historic buildings.
A small historical detail about Spello is its Roman name: Hispellum was known as Splendidissima Colonia Julia, a title that reflected its importance during the imperial period. Today, this ancient history lives together with the medieval appearance of the village, creating a unique combination of different eras.
Besides the quiet views of its streets, Spello offers remarkable places such as Santa Maria Maggiore Church with the Baglioni Chapel decorated by Pinturicchio, Consolare Gate, Venere Gate and the other historic entrances I have photographed in previous stories about the village. Each image adds another piece to the visual journey through this Umbrian town.
One of the most famous events in Spello is the Infiorata festival, when the streets are decorated with flower carpets created for Corpus Christi celebrations. However, this photograph was taken away from that event and shows another side of the village: a quieter atmosphere made of ancient stones, simple streets and everyday beauty.
If you are visiting Spello and wondering what to see, take time to explore the smaller streets as well as the main attractions. Often, the simplest views are the ones that create the strongest memories.

Which Italian village has made you stop most often to photograph small details? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and Canon RF 24-50 lens.

To see all the photos I took in the village, click here:

Here’s where the village is located:

Spello (Hispellum in Latin) is an Italian municipality 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 tourism and environmental quality mark, awarded by the Italian Touring Club. Spello was founded by the Umbrians and later named Hispellum in Roman times; it was later registered with the Lemonia tribe. It was later declared a “Colonia Giulia” by Caesar and a “Splendidissima Colonia Julia” by Augustus, because it supported him in the wars of Perugia. After Augustus’ victory, he himself ceded to Hispellum a large part of the territories governed by Perusia, and the dominion of the city of Spello extended to the sources of the Clitunno River, which had previously been under the control of Mevania. It was later called “Flavia Costante” by Constantine. Ancient Spello was considered one of the most important cities in Roman Umbria.
Continue and learn more on Wikipedia

4 June 202610 August 2026

A glimpse of a quiet alley in Assisi

Scorcio di un vicolo di Assisi in Umbria, tra case in pietra e architettura medievale del centro storico

A glimpse of a quiet alley in Assisi.
Walking through the streets of Assisi in Umbria, Italy, I stopped to photograph this small view between the old stone houses. It is the kind of Assisi alley that makes me slow down and look more carefully at the doors, walls and details along the street rather than simply walking toward the next destination.
I took this photograph because I wanted to preserve a simple moment from a walk through the historic center. Assisi is naturally associated with the Basilica of Saint Francis and its major landmarks, but I often find that the character of a town becomes clearer when I look at its smaller streets. A stone wall, a narrow passage or a doorway can sometimes say as much about a place as a famous building.
There is no major monument in this particular frame. What attracted me was the way the buildings seem to close around the narrow street and create a naturally framed view. The stonework gives the scene a strong sense of continuity and immediately recalls the medieval character of the historic center.
Assisi is in Umbria, in the Province of Perugia, on the slopes of Mount Subasio. Its position is an important part of the way the town feels when walking through it. The historic streets often climb or change direction, and small openings between the buildings can suddenly reveal a different perspective over the town or the surrounding countryside.
If you are visiting Assisi and wondering what to see beyond the Basilica of Saint Francis, the Basilica of Saint Clare and the other famous landmarks, I would also leave some time simply to walk through the older streets. The alleys connect the better-known places, but they are also destinations in their own right, filled with stone buildings, doors, windows and small architectural details.
One interesting detail about Assisi is the way its medieval urban structure follows the slope of Mount Subasio. Unlike a town built on flat ground, the streets constantly respond to the shape of the hillside. This gives even a short walk a changing rhythm, with different levels and perspectives appearing as you move through the center.
That is exactly the kind of detail I like to photograph. I do not always need a wide panorama or a famous subject. Sometimes an ordinary-looking corner has enough character to make me stop. Here, it was the combination of the stone houses and the narrow street that caught my attention.
The photograph was taken by me during the walk, without trying to create a staged scene. I simply came across this view and thought it deserved to be preserved with my camera. It is a small fragment of Assisi, but one that helps bring back the atmosphere of walking through the historic center.
I also like the relationship between the street and the buildings. The houses are not merely a background for the photograph; they shape the path and guide the eye toward whatever lies beyond the passage. This is something that can be found in many historic Italian towns, but in Assisi the combination of local stone and the hillside setting gives it a particularly recognizable character.
The Basilica of Saint Francis remains one of the main reasons people come to Assisi, but reaching it on foot through these streets allows another side of the town to emerge. The route becomes part of the experience, and every turn can reveal a different architectural detail.
This photograph also connects with other posts on my site featuring streets, alleys and small views encountered while walking through Italian towns. I enjoy creating this kind of collection because it allows the more familiar landmarks to sit alongside the ordinary corners that I happen to notice during a journey.
Looking at this image now, what stays with me is its simplicity. A narrow street, a few old stone houses and a perspective opening between the buildings are enough to bring back the character of Assisi.
That may be one of the things I enjoy most about travel photography. I do not always have to search for something spectacular. Sometimes it is enough to recognize a place through a small detail that would otherwise be easy to overlook.
When I think of Assisi, I therefore remember not only its famous churches and monuments, but also these quiet passages and the streets I discovered while walking through the town. They are quieter images, but they are part of the memory of the place just as much as its most celebrated architecture.

Which view or alley in Assisi has stayed with you the most? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and Canon RF 24-50 lens.

To see all the photos of Assisi, click here:

Where is the village located:

3 June 202628 July 2026

Spoleto Cathedral and its beautiful square

Il magnifico Duomo di Spoleto ed il suo sagrato

Spoleto Cathedral and its beautiful square.
Arriving in the upper part of the Umbrian town, I found myself in front of the magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, one of the most recognizable places to photograph in Spoleto and one of the most fascinating religious buildings in Umbria. The square and the wide staircase in front of the cathedral create a special setting where the stone pavement naturally leads the view towards the elegant facade.
This photograph comes from my attention to the relationship between the building and the space around it. I did not want to capture only the cathedral itself, but also the atmosphere of the square, the perspective created by the steps and the way the monument becomes part of everyday city life. Sometimes these surrounding details are what make a photograph feel more authentic.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, also known as Spoleto Cathedral, dominates the historic centre and is the main religious building of the city. Its construction began in the twelfth century, during the Romanesque period, and over the centuries it was enriched with artistic elements that transformed it into one of the most interesting landmarks of Umbria.
The facade is one of the first details that catches the eye when approaching the cathedral. The central rose window, the decorations and the golden mosaic depicting Christ between the Virgin Mary and Saint John create a unique combination of architecture and art. Inside, visitors can admire important masterpieces, including the famous fresco cycle by Filippo Lippi in the apse chapel, one of the greatest artistic treasures of Spoleto.
An interesting detail about the cathedral is its connection with the Festival dei Due Mondi, an important cultural event that takes place every year in Spoleto. During the festival, the cathedral area becomes part of a wider atmosphere where history, music and contemporary performances meet.
I wanted to capture this view with my camera because Spoleto Cathedral is a place where every element contributes to the composition: the staircase, the facade, the square and the surrounding urban landscape. A photograph of the square tells not only the story of a building, but also how that monument lives within the city.
On my blog I have often shared photographs of historic squares, churches and Italian towns, trying to show not only famous landmarks but also the atmosphere that surrounds them. Like other images dedicated to historic places in Umbria, this photograph comes from the desire to preserve the memory of a place I personally visited.
If you are looking for things to see in Spoleto, the cathedral and its square are certainly among the places that best represent the history and beauty of this town.

Have you ever visited Spoleto Cathedral and enjoyed the view from its square? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photos taken with Canon EOS RP camera and Canon RF 24-50 lens.

To see all the photos I took in the city, click here:

Where is the Duomo located:

The cathedral was built between 1151 and 1227 on the site of a pre-existing building; it was part of the Vaita De Domo. It was consecrated by Pope Innocent III in 1198. Inside, in the apse, there is Filippo Lippi’s exquisite fresco cycle, Stories of the Virgin, painted in the artist’s final years, between May 1467 and September 1469.
Continue and learn more at Wikipedia

1 June 202613 August 2026

A glimpse of Montefalco village in Umbria

Stradina in pietra in salita nel borgo di Montefalco, in Umbria, tra le vie del centro storico

A glimpse of Montefalco village in Umbria.
Walking uphill through the stone streets, I came across a view that seemed to capture the quiet character of the village better than a wide panorama could. This glimpse of Montefalco in Umbria drew my attention because of its simple composition: a narrow uphill street, old stone surfaces and the feeling that the historic center was waiting just a little farther ahead.
To reach the main square, you have to walk uphill through some of these charming stone streets. The climb becomes part of the experience rather than simply a way of getting from one place to another. As I walked, I found myself paying attention to the details along the route, and eventually this particular view seemed worth stopping for.
When I think about things to see in Montefalco, I do not necessarily start with the best-known landmarks. In a historic hilltop village, the streets themselves can be just as revealing. Their slope, paving and buildings tell you something about how the settlement developed and how people have moved through it for generations.
Montefalco is in Umbria, in the province of Perugia, central Italy. The village stands on a hill overlooking the surrounding Umbrian landscape and is known for its historic character, artistic heritage and local wine tradition. In this photograph, however, I was not looking for the broad view across the countryside. I wanted to stay close to the village and show what it feels like to walk through its historic streets.
The uphill route changes the pace of the walk. You naturally slow down, notice the uneven surface beneath your feet and start looking ahead to see what appears after the next bend. That sense of movement is difficult to reproduce completely in a still photograph, but it was very much part of the moment when I took this picture.
I photographed this little corner myself because it felt honest and representative of the place I was actually experiencing. There was no need for a spectacular viewpoint. The stone street and the compact architecture were enough to create a strong sense of place. These are often the photographs I value later, because they bring back the experience of walking rather than simply showing a famous landmark.
There is also a small curiosity connected with Montefalco’s name, traditionally associated with the falcon and the elevated position of the settlement. The historic center still follows the compact structure developed around the hilltop, and walking uphill toward the main square makes that medieval layout easier to perceive.
If you are wondering where Montefalco is, the village lies in the Umbrian hills, within easy reach of places such as Foligno and Spoleto. But for me, the best way to understand it is simply to enter the historic center and walk. The most memorable view may appear before you reach the destination you originally had in mind.
The street in this photograph is a small example of why I enjoy photographing Italian villages. The paving stones, walls and changing perspective create an image that would lose much of its character if separated from the experience of walking through it. The road is not merely a background; it is part of the subject.
This way of looking at Montefalco also connects with other photographs I have shared from Umbrian villages and historic towns. In those images, as here, I often find myself more interested in the details encountered along the way than in trying to reproduce the most familiar view of a place.
Looking back at this photograph, what I like most is the suggestion of continuation. The street rises toward the heart of the village, leaving the next view just out of sight. For anyone visiting Montefalco, that is perhaps one of the pleasures of walking through the old town: there is always another corner waiting after the one you have just photographed.

Have you ever visited a village where the walk toward the main square was part of the experience itself? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and Canon RF 24-50 lens.

To see all the photos I took in the village, click here:

Here’s where Montefalco is located:

Montefalco, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, sits atop a hill overlooking the plain of the Topino and Clitunno rivers. Because of this favorable panoramic position, it has been known since 1568 as the “Balcony of Umbria.” From here, on clear days, various lookout points offer a 360° panorama that spans the entire valley between Perugia and Spoleto, from the slopes of the Sub-Apennines to those of the Martani Mountains.
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22 May 2026

An alley in the historic center of Perugia

Walking through the beautiful historic center of the Umbrian town of Perugia, you encounter a maze of streets and alleys that are perfect for photography. The stone walls and streets are spectacular! Like in this photo.

Do you know the beautiful city of Perugia? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and Canon RF 24-50 lens.

To see all the photos of Perugia, click here:

Where is the point, more or less, where I took the shot:

From the main square in the center, the five royal roads branched off, connecting—and still partially connect—the city of Perugia with Cortona (today the Via Cortonese overlaps with the Trasimeno state road), Orvieto (Via Marscianese), Gubbio (Via Eugubina), Città di Castello, and the Via Flaminia (Foligno), which led from Rome to Ariminium (now Romagna).
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An alley in the historic center of Perugia – Une ruelle dans le centre historique de Pérouse – Un callejón en el centro histórico de Perugia – Um beco no centro histórico de Perugia – Eine Gasse im historischen Zentrum von Perugia – Một con hẻm ở trung tâm lịch sử của Perugia