City of art, history and nature
The medieval town centre constructed in stone, nestled on a hilltop, is characterized by a close network of roads and alleys. Looming above the town is the ancient Flea Fortress, an example of medieval military architecture from the twelfth century.
Although destroyed and rebuilt time and again, the town has numerous monuments of historic interest such as the elegant eighteenth-century Municipal Hall; the Civic Tower, a military structure from the twellfth century; the Cathedral of St. Benedict (1256) with a facade adorned by a rose window and a double ring of small columns; the church of San Francesco (13th century) with its Gothic style interior, single nave and frescoes from the Umbrian-Sienese Schools; and the church of Santa Maria di Tadino. The city’s Municipal Art Gallery is located near the main square.
The traditional handicraft of ceramics boasts ancient origins as well, and the local artistic workshops are masters in the third firing technique to create iridescent effects.
The Giochi delle Porte festival held during the last week of September features a procession in period costumes dating back to the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, a slingshot challenge, bow and arrow competition and a donkey cart race.