Todi’s beautiful Palazzo del Popolo

Todi is a picturesque medieval hilltown in Umbria – and its central square, Pizza del Popolo, is wonderfully picturesque.

It’s a great place to sit and watch life pass you by. I was here recently on a lovely autumn day, and, when I got tired of walking up and down the steep hills, I enjoyed sitting in this lovely spot and catching up on my book.

Todi’s cathedral has boasted pride of place on this beautiful square since its construction in the fifteenth century. In 1438, other constructions began, and a wall with four main gates were added in 1487.

But there were early buildings to grace this town center, too.

The Palazzo del  Capitano and the Palazzo dei Priori round out this gorgesous square. The Palazzo del Capitano predates the cathedral. Built in 1293 in the gothic style, it currently hosts the civic museum. The museum contains many of the finds discovered during local excavations.

The Palazzo dei Priori was also built in the gothic style and completed in 1347. Renaissance additions were added in the arly 1500s.

The square is also populated by cafés and restaurants that take advantage of this pleasant location to enjoy watching life pass by – as it has for centuries in this town.

It’s such a perfect example of a medieval square that you’re bund to want to dedicate some time here while you’re visiting Todi.

Slow down, enjoy the slower pace of life here in Todi – and spend lots of time out on Piazza del Popolo.