Umbria History

Umbria's history is a curious paradox. On the one side it is renowned for its peaceful green hills and countryside, and for its numerous Saints. On the other side it has been the location of many furious battles and seen more than its fair share of bloodshed. Perhaps it is that very beauty of the landscape and its critical access in the north/south crossroads that has brought a stream of invasions?

Evidence of the original inhabitants of Umbria, the Etruscans, is found in Perugia and Orvieto from the 8th to the 5th centuries BC. Rome than became dominant over the Etruscan areas by the 3rd century BC. Lake Trasimeno saw the curshing of Roman legions by Hannibal in 217 BC.

Saint Benedict, the founder of Western Monasticism was born in Norci in 480 AD. Later in 546 AD Totila invaded the area and there was a breakdown of urban organization.

The 11th and 12th centuries saw the Romanesque period with great buildings constructed such as the Assisi Duomo, San Pietro and Sant'Eufemia in Spoleto. St Francis of Assisi lived from 1181 to 1226 and the Basilica of San Francesco was constructed from 1228 to 1230. In 1223 the Franciscan order was created and during this century the great town halls were built in Perugia, Todi, Gubbio and Fontana Maggiore.

In the 14th century Umbria became very prosperous and there was the Rise of the Guilds. Also Orvieto Cathedral was built. During the middle of this century Cardinal Albornoz conquered Umbria for the Papacy during the Guelph and Ghibelline feuds.

Later, in 1535, Paul III conquered Perugia during the religious revival.

Finally in 1860 Umbria joined a united Italy with many other regions.

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