The best traffic-free bike rides around Massa Martana

Even under a grey sky, the outing filled my eyes with its beautiful varied landscapes (hilltop towns, fortified castles, abbeys, towers, vineyards, sunflower fields, yew trees, etc.) And above all, a cycle path away from vehicles!

Bevagna / Region – Umbria / Province – Perugia (PG) The town, surrounded by a city wall with towers and gates, has an intact medieval structure (12th-13th centuries). In the upper part of the town, numerous Roman remains can still be seen: the ruins of a temple, the theater, and a thermal bath complex, of which a frigidarium with a magnificent black and white floor mosaic depicting marine figures from the 2nd century AD survives. The medieval town structure, with its squares and noble houses, developed over the Romanesque foundations: The magnificent Piazza Silvestri is home to the Palazzo dei Consoli (1270), which houses the Torti Theater, the Romanesque churches of San Silvestro and San Michele Arcangelo, both from the late 12th century, and the church of San Domenico e Giacomo (1291). Worth seeing is the Palazzo Comunale (late 18th century), which houses the historical archives, the library, and the art gallery. The Baroque churches of the Monastery of Santa Margherita and San Filippo are also very interesting. At the highest point in the town stands the Church of San Francesco (late 13th century). Next to the altar, one can see the stone on which St. Francis knelt when he preached to the flock of birds at Pian d'Arca. The 18th-century Palazzo Lepri houses the Museum of Bevagna, with works that tell the story of the town from pre-Roman times to the 18th century: archaeological finds from the ancient city of Mevania, medieval documents, and paintings by Dono Doni, Fantino, and Corrado Giaquinto. In the surrounding area, the Sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie (late 16th century), the Sanctuary of Madonna della Valle, and the Monastery of Annunziata (11th century), formerly a defensive castle, rise up against the hillsides. Text / Source: Umbria Tourism.it contatti@umbriatourism.it https://www.umbriatourism.it/de/bevagna

This church in Bevegna has a patronal name that is truly on everyone's lips, but only a few will know the person behind it: San SILVESTRO's feast day is December 31st. He lived at the end of the third and beginning of the fourth century and was Bishop of Rome when Emperor Constantine recognized Christianity as a religion with the Edict of Milan - known as the "Edict of Toleration" - and thus ended (at least temporarily) the period of bloody persecution of Christians.

Great place for lunch. Some of the best wines in umbria

This church was featured on one of the old lira banknotes and was visited by Prince Charles after the 1997 earthquake. It is beautiful in its simplicity with its tower on the front and side. The interior with the crypt is very interesting. The best photos of the church are from the steps of the theater opposite.

Here, during the Festival dei due Mondi, I exhibited my works... I returned to cycling after 44 years...

Piazza and Palazzo del Popolo

The People's Palace with its bell tower dominates the highest point of the city, the "platea rotunda", the square of the municipality, the heart of the civil and religious power of the city of Montefalco. In the Piazza del Comune, the Palazzo Comunale stands out mightily, formerly called Palazzo del Popolo, with its round arches that outline its façade. Built in 1270 with very small dimensions, it was subsequently enlarged on the entire left side during the 15th century, when the loggia with octagonal pillars was added, finished with capitals with large acanthus leaves, above which is placed the large terrace which stands out on the square. It is precisely from this terrace that every year, on the occasion of the Renaissance re-enactment of the "Fuga del Bove", the winner of the coveted Golden Falcon is announced as a prize for the competitions held in the four historic districts of Sant'Agostino, San Bartolomeo, San Fortunato and San Francesco. The event which since 1972 has been recalling the Renaissance splendor of this municipality, drawing inspiration from the historical period between 1400 and 1500.