Gubbio - The Moody Medieval Town

ABOUT:  Gubbio, one of the oldest towns in Umbria, is located on the slopes of Monte Igno to the north of region.  The town has a medieval feel with dark grey stone narrow streets and angular gothic architecture.  The historic center of Gubbio is set so far up the hill that the best way to reach it is using the elevators that go up through the middle of the town. Once there, it is rarely flat walking as the streets are hilly.  Just about every alleyway and street contains the quintessential photographic backdrop due to the age of the buildings, the extraordinary cliffs and mountains in the background and the well preserved quaintness that has survived hundreds of years.

 WHAT TO DO:  Passing through several pretty squares and beautiful churches, the network of scenic streets eventually lead to the Piazza Grande and the fortress like Palazzo dei Consoli, built in the 1300’s. The building now houses a museum and gallery. Wandering around the large Piazza, like many other Umbrian hill towns, provides panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.  The most important site is the grand 14th-Century Palazzo dei Consoli, now an interesting museum, which stands on one side of a terrace that offers sweeping views across the countryside.

 Nearby, there are a few interesting churches, including the small Church of St Francis of the Peace on the site where the wolf the saint is said to have tamed is buried.  Take the cable car up to the top of the mountain for incredible views and the chance to visit an old citadel-like basilica, or head to the town’s foothills to see an Ancient Roman theatre.  At an ancient fountain at the center of old town Gubbio, it is customary for guests to run around the fountain just outside. Three circling’s and you become an honorary citizen of Gubbio…or is it that you are certified ‘pazzo’, Italian for crazy.  We still are not quite sure; however this website gives a bit of background on this fun oddity: https://www.umbriasi.it/en/the-madman-license-in-gubbio

 Every May 15th you can witness the ritual that has its roots in a pagan Umbrian Running of the Bulls. In the heated competition, three teams, devoted to St. Ubaldo (the patron saint of Gubbio), St. Giorgio, and St. Antonio, race through enormous crowds from the main square up the hill to the Duomo. Each team carries a statue of their saint mounted on an octagonal wooden prism, or ceri.

WHAT TO EAT:   Gubbio is the home of the most amazing gnocchi stuffed with truffle cheese in a truffle cream sauce, AND, they serve it in a small basket of Parmigiano cheese.  Restaurant recommendation for this town is Picchio Verde. This restaurant is slightly off the tourist track, but is definitely worth it and reservations are definitely required most of the time. This is your typical, family-run place with fabulous local dishes, with specialties including their grilled meats and truffle dishes.

WHERE TO PARK:   There are several parking lots, so if the one we are recommending is full, just check on Google Maps for parking in the area and you are sure to find a space. Here are the directions to Parcheggio Teatro Romano:

Google Maps Parking Info