Located on the slopes of Mount Subasio, this town in the province of Perugia has preserved its medieval and Roman charm intact.
What to see in Spello
Perched on Mount Subasio, this TCI Orange Flag town welcomes visitors with its pastel hues and meticulous attention to floral detail, making it unique in Italy. The first thing to see is the Porta Consolare: the ancient main entrance to the town, featuring statues and an adjacent medieval tower.
As you climb toward the heart of the town center, you’ll come across two pillars of Spella’s identity: Porta Venere and San Lorenzo. Porta Venere, framed by the imposing Towers of Propertius, is perhaps the most photographed view. Its three-arched structure is a masterpiece of Roman engineering that seems to defy the centuries.
Not far away, the Collegiate Church of San Lorenzo is a mosaic of styles. Finally, in the Church of Sant’Andrea, the austere atmosphere of the exterior gives way to priceless treasures, such as frescoes by Pinturicchio and the wooden crucifix.
Also worth seeing is the Villa dei Mosaici, an ancient Roman villa with splendid, perfectly preserved mosaic floors.
Why is it the town of flowers? The connection to flowers runs deep and is primarily expressed through two occasions.
The Infiorate of Corpus Domini
Every year, during the Corpus Christi festival, the streets of the historic center are covered with beautiful carpets and paintings made entirely of flower petals. This year, the event takes place on June 6 and 7.
People work through the night to create these floral carpets , which form a path about 1.5 km long. It is a unique artistic and religious event that attracts thousands of visitors.
The “Flowered Windows, Balconies, and Alleys” Contest
Throughout the year, the residents of Spello compete to decorate their alleys and balconies with cascades of colorful flowers. Strolling through the town center means immersing yourself in an explosion of scents and colors amidst the pink stone walls of Mount Subasio. The award ceremony is usually held in August; this event has even wonthe International Floral Displays Award.
