Umbria Local Customs

  Procession of Beata Giacomo
by toonsarah
 
  • Procession of Beata Giacomo
      Procession of Beata Giacomo
    by toonsarah
  • Bevagna, the theatre semicircle, clearly visible
      Bevagna, the theatre semicircle, clearly...
    by Trekki
  •   Local Customs
    by Trekki
  •   Local Customs
    by Trekki
  •   Local Customs
    by Trekki
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Living nativities

by Trekki

As Italy is a very religious country, Christmas is very highly celebrated. And in many Italian cities and villages you will see “living” nativities, where not only puppets are displayed, but real people take over the role of Joseph, Maria and Jesus. I once saw photos of these nativities on Diana’s Vatican page and since then this concept fascinated me. But I haven’t been in Italy during Christmas time so far.In Orvieto I saw photos of their nativity scene in Pozzo della Cava and this one was even more fascinating, as it was set up in the caves with special illumination.Living nativities are called presepe viventi and the website below lists some of the ones for Umbria. But there are more, as the one in Orvieto is not listed.So be prepared, when you are travelling in Umbria during Christmas season, and ask if there is one near your destination(s).

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Architect. recycling, very common since ages

by Trekki

I must admit beforehand that I didn’t notice this “recycling” anywhere else before Umbria, but I wasn’t paying attention to this before or it was not as obvious as in Umbria. So I cannot say if it is a local custom specific to this region. Erecting buildings on top of each other was common, yes. But in Bevagna for example I found it very fascinating to see how old material was reused in “new” buildings like in the one on photo 1 and 2. It must have been a Roman temple of some kind, given the round pillars, which seem to have been covered with “newer” bricks, but on older ones, as it would not make sense to build pillars into a wall like this. The other wall (main photo) was clearly built between straight pillars, just filling the holes. Another case of recycling in Bevagna is the old Roman theatre. Whatever was left of it, it was used to build houses on top of the remains later. It is...

Tip Photo
S. Francesco’s and S. Benedetto’s country

by Trekki

During all the time when I drove or wandered through Umbria, its villages and landscape, I had this special feeling which I even cannot describe properly. There is something in the air, no matter if it was raining or if the sun shone. It is something holy in a way, as if someone would very much watch over this part of the world. Already in my first tip I wrote about the magic moments after rain or when the sun finds a little hole in the clouds and illuminates the landscape or villages and towns. But is more than that. It is almost as if San Francesco is still alive and walks around in Umbria, protects animals, landscape and people and sings the canticle of the sun. I am not a very religious person, but all the time while I was in Umbria I felt that this is a holy country. Almost on every corner you will find signs, plates, little or bigger monuments dedicated to San Francesco or other...

Tip Photo
Signs of the old political systems

by Trekki

It alreay fascinated me in Venezia to see differently designed pinnacles at walls or towers (as in photo 4: pinnacle on Arsenale wall). Obviously, my history lessons didn’t went that deep so I only learned about the terms Guelphs and Ghibellines after my Venezia trip. But as soon as I knew the difference, I almost saw them everywhere in Italy since then.This all is part of the Holy Roman Empire history: Ghibellines were the supporters of the empire while Guelphs were supporting the pope. And it over the time ghibellines’ buildings had the characteristic swallow-tail pinnacles or merlons, while the guelphs had rectangular ones. It wasn’t that easy however, as the swallow-tailed pinnacles are older than the guelph-ghibelline conflicts and often towns had both supporting groups living there. But at least it is a start to understand why there are different shapes existing :-)

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Local Medieval traditions – flag throwers

by Trekki

When I was in Gubbio, walking in the higher parts of town, I sunndely heard drums. Of course I was curious and followed the sound until I found myself on the piazza where obviously a demonstration of Gubbio’s sbandieratori’s (flag throwers) skills was given. I was very much fascinated by this all and didn’t even realised how cold it was (only later when I was in desperate need to fill my stomach with the heat of a perfect café). Flag throwing is quite old and dates back to Medieval times. Flags were colourful and characteristic for the different districts of towns or guilds. The ones in Gubbio seem to be very famous. According to their website, they travel to several international festivals. Their flags have a special characteristic, as some of them are bearing Etruscan letters (this is only partly visible in my 5 photos here, but once I’ve set up my Gubbio account, it will be easier to...

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Abundance of local festivals – don’t miss!

by Trekki

Do you know who is behind Valentine’s Day? Yes, the flower and gift industry nowadays, but did you know that there is actually a person and a story behind this day? San Valentino who was bishop in Terni (southern Umbria) in 3rd century. He was executed for his catholic belief and because he wedded couples. And it is said that he gave flowers to newlyweds. His day of death (said execution) was February 14, 269. So it is most logical that Terni has a big festival to his honour, and of course on Valentine’s Day. And that’s only one of the very many festivals which are celebrated in Umbria today. Most of them have Medieval or even pagan backgrounds, and often these origins are mixed.Maybe the most famous one is Corsa dei Ceri (Gubbio), where 3 groups of different Gubbio districts carry a huge wooden candle (ceri) uphill to a church (see my tip about Gubbio in the to-do section). Another one...

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Local traditions and culture in Umbria

Top 3 Hotels in Umbria

La Terrazza  Assisi

 1 Review and 191 Opinions  Nice quiet hotel. The dinner in the hotel was very nice and so was the breakfast. Very nice, homey... 

 Hotels in Assisi

Palazzo Piccolomini  Orvieto

 2 Reviews and 96 Opinions  This hotel was really neat and very fun to stay in. The staff was very accomodating and the rooms... 

 Hotels in Orvieto

Brufani Palace  Perugia

 1 Review and 189 Opinions  We stayed at hotel "Park", which is four stars hotel on outskirt of the town. Our Umbria Jazz... 

 Hotels in Perugia

532 Hotels in Umbria
 
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Reviews and photos of Umbria attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Umbria sightseeing.

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Local Customs: Cities in Umbria
  1. Orvieto Local Customs
  2. Assisi Local Customs
  3. Perugia Local Customs
  4. Gubbio Local Customs
  5. Todi Local Customs
  6. Spoleto Local Customs
  7. Bevagna Local Customs
  8. San Leo Local Customs
  9. Spello Local Customs

More Cities in Umbria

 

Questions and Answers

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Q:  We are trying to make reservations for the Rezidenza di via Piccardi in Gubbio in Umbria for late September. We have gone to the... 

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A: On their web site where it says Contatti, click and send them an e-mail unless you want to telephone. If you don't speak Italian, write in English and I'm sure they'll... 

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