The best road cycling routes around Deruta

Prodo Castle dominates the small village of the same name, a hamlet of Orvieto (TR). Built in 1222 by the Prodenzani family as a trapezoidal defensive stronghold with tuff walls, square and round towers, arrow slits, and a fortified gate, it was strengthened between the 13th and 15th centuries to control the Umbrian valleys. Garibaldi's refuge in 1849, it is now privately owned. Although the interior cannot be visited, the exterior offers panoramic views of the Fosso Campione, making it ideal for excursions near the Forello Gorges.

For the first time, Todi has been recognized as a virtuous municipality in terms of environmental sustainability and quality of life, having been awarded the 2020 "Spighe Verdi" (Green Ears of Wheat) flag by the FEE Italia Foundation for Environmental Education and Confagricoltura. Numerous indicators were taken into consideration, including education for sustainable development; sustainability and innovation in agriculture; the quality of tourism; the enhancement of natural areas and landscape; the maintenance of urban furnishings; and accessibility for all.

Deruta from above is a gem

Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli The small chapel of Santa Maria degli Angeli alla Porziuncola, still completely preserved inside the basilica, was, according to tradition, built by four soldiers returning from the Holy War in the wooded plain below Assisi, known as the Cerretto della Porziuncola. They brought a piece of the Madonna's tombstone with them. There, on certain autumn days, the strong wind that blew every cloud from the sky and through the leaves seemed similar to the song of angels. The chapel was administered by the Benedictine monks of the monastery of Santa Benedetto al Subasio since the 10th century. This place would probably have been completely forgotten if the paths of Francis and Clare had not led there. Thanks to them, we find the Porziuncola intact today, just as it was a good 1,000 years ago. But instead of the noisy thicket, there is now a large basilica, built between the 16th and 17th centuries, which envelops and protects the chapel like a caring mother. This view from within the building makes the chapel seem even smaller, almost impossibly small. The church was given to the poor saint by the aforementioned Benedictine monks to establish the headquarters of the newly founded Franciscan order. When Francis first came here, the church was in disrepair, and according to his saintly legend, he dedicated the third year after his conversion exclusively to the renovation of the small chapel. It was here, while reading the Gospel, that he realized that his mission was not to restore dilapidated religious buildings, but to rebuild and preach the entire Kingdom of God by living in poverty, penance, and simplicity. From here, Francis and his confreres set out to spread his message throughout Italy, and here they returned again and again. One night in 1211, a desperate and frightened Chiara d'Offreduccio, who had fled her home and her aristocratic family, knocked on the doors of Porciuncola. Text / Source: Exploring-Umbria.com https://www.exploring-umbria.com/de/entdecke-assisi/sehenswuerdigkeiten-in-assisi/basilica-santa-maria-degli-angeli-in-porziuncolabasilika-zu-unserer-lieben-frau-von-den-engeln/

The peak of Monte Peglia is over 800 meters high and is located in the municipality of San Venanzo. The roads to access it are all quite challenging, but all in all rideable, from any side the climb is generally long (even over 15 km). The peak is easily recognizable by the presence of the RAI antenna. The Monte Peglia nature reserve, in addition to the presence of fauna and flora, is also characterized by the presence of prehistoric fossil deposits and by the three volcanoes, now extinct, near the town of San Venanzo. It's cool in the summer

Deruta, the ceramic village in the green heart of Umbria

The town of Todi in the province of Perugia in Umbria is known for its beautiful medieval town center. There are numerous historical buildings lined up around the central Piazza del Popolo. Antique and medieval finds prove that the hilltop town was founded in the 8th century BC by the Indo-European-Italian Umbrian tribe.

The Basilica of San Francesco, which did not exist during the lifetime of Saint Francis of Assisi (1181/82 to 1226), is nevertheless one of the great "original shrines" of the Franciscan religious family, and a "must" for every Assisi resident. Visitors. As the church of the order's founder, it is of course very important spiritually - which is expressed, among other things, by the rare title of "Basilica major" (papal basilica); but then also in terms of art history, especially because of the great frescoes in the lower and upper churches (in the latter in particular the cycle with 28 pictures from the life of Saint Francis by Giotto Bondone). This important place of worship is therefore quite rightly on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Saint Francis (canonized in 1228, just two years after his death) became a role model for many people, they joined him, and the "Order of the Friars Minor" (Ordo Fratrum Minorum) of Francis of Assisi was created. Today there are three male branches in the broad Franciscan religious family: the Franciscans, the Minorites and the Capuchins; as well as two female ones: the Franciscan Sisters and the Poor Clares. In addition, there is the “Third” or “Secular” Order, which can be joined by women and men who do not take the classic religious vows (poverty, chastity and obedience) and continue to live in their family and their profession.