Casal Lorgnano

Views from Todi

by karenincalifornia

Being situated at the top of a hill, Todi offers incredible views. I found the contrast of the golden alfalfa fields, the deep green sunflower fields, the vineyards and the silver green olive groves to be a stunning sight.

The Umbrian fields are a remarkable contrast to the US farms. Most of our farms in the US are owned by massive corporations, and so much of the food is mass produced. In the US, we are used to huge endless fields that mass produce only one crop.

In Umbria, the farm scene is quite different. I loved looking at the little plots of land growing different crops.

Roman Ruins That Nobody Visits . . .

by imcarthur

The ruins of Carsulae are 20 minutes south of Todi toward Terni. Only partially uncovered, there is an amphitheater, a theater & several large arches as well as a medieval church. Sections of the Via Flaminia are visible. Large 30+ acre site. There were only a handful of people the day we visited.

Todi

by BarbieGirl

The church of S. Fortunato
The church of S. Fortunato and the ruins of a medieval fortress (Rocca) lie on the top of the hill where Todi is located, near the main square and with a long flight of steps leading to the complex.
Dedicated to Fortunato, bishop and saint patron of the town, the palaeochristian temple dates back to the 7th century, now only two lion sculpures on the entrance portal remaining; in 1292 it was converted into a new gothic church with a hallroom structure, according to the Franciscan habit, a nave and two aisles. They lead to a portal each, finely adorned with rich decorations with saints, prophets, Good and Evil, symbolized by the vine and the fig in the endless briars. The wooden choir in the apse was realized by Antonio Maffei da Gubbio, probably finished in 1590; Masolino da Panicale is the author of a noteworthy artpiece, the Madonna and Child. The crypt is important as the place housing the tomb of Jacopone da Todi, and the remains of St. Fortunate and other saints.

The Duomo of Todi
Built on the ruins of an ancient Roman temple, the Duomo was dedicated to Saint Annunziata. Religious and political bounds between Todi’s and Ravenna’s episcopates brought about a strong influence of bizantine style in this gothic temple.
The actual façade is adorned with a great rose window dating to 1513; the wooden portal belongs to the same period, realized by Francesco Rinaldi da Orvieto.
The latin cross plant presents 3 naves and the inside is rich of artpieces: the Universal Judgement occupying the counter façade frescoed by Ferraù da Faenza, the 13th century crufixion by the Umbran School, the wooden choir by Bencivenni da Mercatello and son, two sculptures by Giovanni Pisano.