Spoleto

Spoleto, Umbria Region, Italy

Spoleto, an ancient town in east central Umbria, on a foothill of the Apennines. In 1958, because Spoleto was a small town, at the time relatively inexpensive, yet fairly close to Rome with good rail connections, it was chosen by Gian-Carlo Menotti as the venue for an arts festival. The Spoleto Festival dei Due Mondi, usually held in July, has developed into the most important cultural event in Umbria, with a three-week schedule of music, theater and dance performances.

spazio
spazio
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Info

View of Spoleto Altitude: 385 m a.s.l -- Population: about 38,000 inhabitants -- Zip/postal code: 06049 -- Phone Area Code: 0743

History

The ancient Spoletium was situated on a branch of the Via Flaminia, and after the battle of Trasimenus (217 BC) was attacked by Hannibal, who was repulsed by the inhabitants. During the Second Punic War the city was a useful ally to Rome. It suffered greatly during the civil wars of Marius and Sulla. The latter, after his victory over Crassus, confiscated the territory of Spoletium (82 BC). From this time forth it was a municipium.
The foundation of the episcopal see dates from the 4th century. Owing to its elevated position Spoleto was an important stronghold during the Vandal and Gothic wars; its walls were dismantled by Totila.
Under the Lombards, Spoleto became the capital of an independent duchy (from 570), and its dukes ruled a considerable part of central Italy. Together with other fiefs, it was bequeathed to Pope Gregory VII by the empress Matilda. In 1155 it was destroyed by Frederick Barbarossa. In 1213 it was definitively occupied by Pope Gregory IX. During the absence of the papal court in Avignon, it was prey to the struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines, until in 1354 Cardinal Albornoz brought it once more under the authority of the Papal States.
In 1809 it became capital of the short-lived French department of Trasimène, returning to the Papal State within five years. In 1860, after a gallant defence, Spoleto was taken by the troops fighting for the unification of Italy.