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Overlooking the lush Tiber River valley, Montecastello di Vibio is a hill towns in the province of Perugia, halfway between Rome and Florence. Preserving over 2000 years of history, the cities and hill towns of Umbria and nearby Tuscany are landmarks of European culture. Many, like Todi, were built over four eras - Etruscan, Roman, Medieval and Renaissance. The surrounding landscape is patterned with vineyards, olive groves and sunflower fields, etched with rows of cypresses and umbrella pines. In this environment, you will paint and sculpt under the same light that spawned the Western world's greatest art. Here is the architecture and countryside that inspired Renaissance artists and later masters like Poussin, Ingres and Corot. One can see why the region still attracts artists from all over the world.
After work hours, students enjoy nearby Todi, 15 minutes from Montecastello
by car. A chic and elegant medieval hilltown, Todi has
many restaurants, shops, caffes, and a magnificent central piazza surrounded
by Gothic palazzi.
Todi, a chic and beautiful medieval hilltown with a magnificent central piazza surrounded by Gothic towers, is 2 hours north of Rome by car. Here are a few things to see and do:
Church of Santa Maria della Consolazione, just outside the city, may have been designed by Bramante or Antonio da Sangallo: it's a beautiful renaissance construction of the 16C based on a sphere and a cube.
Convento di Montesanto, in the oldest part of Todi. There is an ancient linden tree that was planted (some say) in the 14C by San Bernardino. St. Jacopone, the medieval poet was born in Todi. The Etruscan bronze Mars of Todi, now in the Vatican Museum, was found there.
Church of San Fortunato, on the highest part of Todi, has a small fresco by Masolino. But much more interesting are the relief sculptures around the main doorway: Jacopo della Quercia worked here. Built in the 13-15C.
Etruscan arch - The center of the city was first built by the Umbrians, then Etruscans, then Romans, and later expanded in the medieval and Gothic periods.
Piazza del
Popolo (Piazza
Vittorio Emanuele II) - One of the most perfect medieval piazzas in
Italy, built 1213. Originally, like many piazzas in Italy, it was the Roman
forum.
Palazzo dei Priori - a
beautiful 14C building with a trapezoidal tower, facing the Duomo in the piazza.
Palazzo del Capitano -
Palazzo del Popolo - Pinacoteca -
Palazzi Comunali, Piazza del Popolo, 075 8956216. 10.30-13, 14-18. On the upper
floors, the history of the town and its environs: prehistoric, protohistoric,
Umbrian, Etruscan and Roman, coins, textiles, ceramics; paintings: Giovanni
di Pietro (Lo
Spagna), and the Sala del Consiglio Generale and Sala del Capitano del
Popolo, entirely frescoed during the 17-18 C.
For a preview of Todi, see "The Agony and the Ecstasy" starring Charlton Heston and Rex Harrison, 1965. The Rome shots are actually shot in Todi. Todi has many good restaurants (try the tagliatelle al tartufo at Ristorante Umbria in the piazza, tel. 075 8942737, or Sunday brunch by the pool at the Fattoria di Vibio in Doglio, tel. 075 8749607, or fresh fish at Ristorante Sebeto, tel. 075 8944400, or the homemade pasta al forno and local meat at Trattoria Pisello on the road to Orvieto, tel. 0744 958242, to name just a few). There is a theatre, an abstract art gallery (Extra Moenia Arte Contemporanea, Piazza Garibaldi Tel. 075 8944867), and many antique shops and food stores. At the Saturday morning market just outside of town, merchants sell clothes, shoes, housewares and produce. At Lo Studiolo bookstore, near the Etruscan arch, you can buy art books and antiques. Up the street is Pianegiani's, with some of the best gelato in Umbria (if you don't believe us, try the all others and see). The Todi Arte Festival in September brings together musicians and artists from all over the world, July 22-31.
For the ultimate people-watching experience, sit outside the Gran Caffè Duomo in the piazza. All important business takes place in the piazza. Men stroll around together in clumps, flicking cigarettes, adjusting their sleeves and sunglasses, discussing sports and politics, and talking on "telefonini". Boys in cars and mopeds cruise by slowly, stopping in the middle of the street to flirt with girls or chat.
The Tourist Office - Mon-Sat, 9-13 and 16-18.30, tel. 075 8943456 or 075 8942526, under the great stairs in the piazza, has information on public transportation, and on Todi and Umbria, and has metered telephones.
Bank Hours are 8.30-13.20, and 14.30-15.30. Mon - Fri. Bancomat: 24 hours. Your ATM card will work.
Post Office in Piazza Garibaldi is open 8.10-13.25.
Taxis: in Piazza Garibaldi: tel. 075 8942375 and Piazza Jacopone: tel.
075 8942525
Taxi Ursini: tel. 075 894 2130
Taxi Mano tel. 339 1154737
Provenzani, tel. 075 8942041/8987565
Marco DiLernia, tel. 075 894 8781 or 347 7748321.
Autoscuola Agenzia Tuderte, tel. 075 8944745
Tuder Auto, tel. 075 8987307
Trains stop outside of town, at Stazione Todi Ponterio, tel. 075 8942092.
Internet Point, across the street from San Fortunato in Piazza Umberto 1, is open 9.30-13, 16-19.30 and all day Saturday and Sunday. Connection cost is € 1.55 for 15 minutes.
The Program | Our Location | Accommodations | Meals | Classes | Trips | Fees
