Medieval splendor in Gubbio

It’s been years that I’ve wanted to visit the town of Gubbio – in Italy’s Umbria region.

I have travelled all throughout the pretty region of Umbria, but Gubbio is on its far eastern side, and I never managed to get there. That’s why I was so happy to visit during the Christmas break.

It was a perfect time to visit, with the town all illuminated by Christmas decorations.

The center is a medieval jewel, perfectly preserved.

Gubbio dates back to the Bronze Age, but grew as the Roman settlement of Iguvium. The Roman theatre still exists, and is the second largest surviving Roman theatre.

Gubbio reached its full potential during the Middle Ages. The town sent 1000 soldiers to fight in the Crusades, and a local noble family – the Gabrielli – led the town through the 1300s. however, their decline led to Gubbio being incorporated into the territories of the House of Montefeltro, with its center in Urbino.

Later, in 1631, Gubbio was incorporated into the Papal state.

There is plenty of impressive medieval architecture here – starting with the Palazzo dei Consoli. Visible throughout the town is the elegant outline of the Palazzo dei Consoli, initiated in 1332.

The Palazzo Ducale was built in the late 1400s by Federico Montefeltro. It was built as a copy of the family palace in Urbino.

A popular tourist spot is the Fontana dei matti. Medieval legend had it that if you circled around this fountain three times, you would become crazy. Judging from all the tourists doing just that, there’s bound to be an outbreak soon.

It may have taken me years to finally get to Gubbio, but the wait was well worth it to see this medieval gem. Don’t miss out on visiting Gubbio when you’re next in Umbria.