A municipality in the province of Perugia, located on the slopes of Mount Ingino, in a predominant location over the plain crossed by streams Assino, Saonda and San Donato, the town of Gubbio has typically medieval characteristics, a maze of streets, alleys and staircases and is surrounded by fortified walls. It is a sort of treasure chest, rich in monumental buildings, fortified palaces, watchtowers, churches, staircases, steep and narrow streets, which offer charming views. It is famous for its local art crafts: pottery, wood engraving and iron works.
The first settlement was founded by the Umbrian and in the III century A.D., Gubbio allied with Rome and was proclaimed Municipium, and shared with the Romans, the same historical events. After the fall of the Empire, the town, with no fortifications, was destroyed by Barbarians. Proved to be insecure, the old center was soon abandoned and the inhabitant built new houses in a more secure location, more inland on the slopes of Mount Ingino. At first conquered by the Byzantines, later it became a Lombard possession. In the Middle Ages, proclaimed municipality and granted with a certain autonomy; Gubbio went through a period of great development and prosperity. Under the rule of the Papal States, thanks to the donation to the Church by the Franks, its inhabitants were convinced to support the Guelph faith, after having been for quite a while, on the Ghibelline's side. In the mid XIV century, the fief became a possession of the Gabrielli Family, while later it passed to the Montefeltro, Dukes of Urbino, which throughout their domain, until the XVI century, provided the city with new splendor. A century later, Gubbio became a Della Rovere possession, until 1631, it was annexed to the Papal States.
Attractions:
- the Cathedral, which was built in the XIII century on the remains of an older building. It features decorative elements in Gothic style with a pointed portal and several sculptures. Within it presents a single nave plan and preserves frescoes of the Umbrian school dating from the XVI century. Attached to the Cathedral is the Museum, which houses frescoes and paintings of the XIV and XV centuries;
- the Church of San Francesco, which was built in the XIII century in Gothic style. It features a simple façade, three naves and a series of XV century frescoes depicting the lives of Mary and St. Francis;
- the XIII century Church of San Giovanni Battista, which features an elegant Gothic portal in the façade. Inside preserved in the nave, a famous fresco that represents the Baptism of Jesus, an artwork of the school of the Perugino;
- the XIV century Church of San Domenico, rebuilt several times, features inside remarkable frescoes and paintings of the XV century;
- the XIV century Church of Santa Maria Nuova, which preserves inside the Madonna del Belvedere by the artist Nelli;
- the Church of St. Peter, built in Gothic style on the remains of a previous Romanesque parish church;
- the Church of S. Ubaldo, a medieval basilica rebuilt in the XVI century;
- the XIII century Church of St. Augustine;
- the Church of San Francesco della Pace;
- the XIV century Palazzo dei Consoli, which features a watchtower, embellished with turrets, mullioned windows and a portal, designed by Angelo da Orvieto. The façade is divided by pilasters. The building houses the Municipal Museum and Civic Art Gallery with its permanent exhibition of statues, inscriptions and medieval and Roman sarcophagi, the Eugubine Tables and an important collection of artworks by local artists;
- Palazzo Ducale, an early medieval building remodeled in the late XV century, which features an elegant courtyard and a portico with slender columns;
- the XIV century Praetorian Palace, today seat of the Town Hall;
- the XIII century Palazzo del Bargello, in Gothic style;
- Palazzo Della Porta with its beautiful portal in Renaissance style;
- Palazzo Ranghiasci-Brancaleoni in Neoclassical style;
- the Arcade of the Tiratori dell'Arte della Lana (wool manufactures);
- the Mausoleum of Pomponio Graecina.
- the Roman Theatre.