History of Umbria Italy
The first two major tribes to share Umbria were the Umbri and the Etruscans. Although the Etruscans have received more press, the Umbri settled the region first, as far back as 1000 BC. The river Tiber (Tevere in Italian) mostly divided the two: Umbri on the east, Etruscan on the west. The Umbri tribe flourished early on in eastern towns such as Spoleto, Gubbio, Città di Castello and Assisi. Etruscans established towns we know today as Perugia, Orvieto and Città della Pieve, eventually creating 12 powerful city-states. Traces of this past can still be seen in the excellent Museo Archeologico Nazionale dell’Umbria in Perugia.
Things seriously changed in Umbria around 300 BC. Soldiers from a little upstart village to the south called Romecame knocking. In 295 BC, Rome conquered the Etruscans, and their lands – including Umbria – fell under Roman rule.
Despite the legendary Roman plundering and pillaging, things weren’t totally bad. The Romans initiated public works that are still visible to this day. Emperor Gaius Flaminius built the Via Flaminia in 220 BC, a road which connected Rome to Ancona and the Adriatic Sea, and passed through towns such as Narni, Terni, Spoleto and Foligno, all of which are still littered with Roman ruins. A spur ran to Perugia, whose prominence as the capital of Umbria was growing. In 90 BC, Umbrians were granted full Roman citizenship and, for a handful of centuries, the region thrived.
After Rome fell, invasions by Saracens, Goths, Lombards, Byzantines and a whole host of barbarians led to an economic and cultural decline. Starvation and disease were rampant. Umbrians retreated to fortified medieval hill towns such as Gubbio and Todi. Conditions were perfect for the new Roman cult of Christianity to flourish. The church of Sant’Angelo in Perugia, built over a former pagan temple around the 5th and 6th centuries AD, is one of Italy’s oldest extant churches outside of Rome.
The political-power gap during the Middle Ages was quickly filled by the Lombard Duchy of Spoleto from the 6th to the 13th centuries, until Umbria became a papal territory. Prominent Umbrian families tended to favour rule by either the pope or the Holy Roman Empire, creating a split between Guelphs (papal supporters) and Ghibellines (champions of the emperors).
Spoleto and Todi became Ghibelline cities while Perugia and Orvieto, which both benefited initially from Papal rule, became Guelph cities. The remnants of the conflict still dot Umbria today in the form of the rocca, or Papal fortress, examples of which can be seen in Perugia, Assisiand Narni.
Note: I have Guelph and Ghibelline ancestors from the Correggio and Borromeo families shown below.
Many important saints (Benedict of Norcia for one, who became the patron of Europe) had put Umbria on the mystical map, but it was in the 13th century when Umbria’s most famous son, born in one of its most famous towns – St Francis of Assisi– cemented Umbria’s reputation as a centre for spirituality, which continues to this day.
Historians of Umbrian culture like to say that time stopped in 1540. The pope installed a salt tax, resulting in a Salt War that led to a standstill in Umbrian culture, which means the Renaissance didn’t flourish here like it did in neighbouring Tuscany, but it also preserved the medieval hearts of most Umbrian towns. To this day, Umbria still retains much of its ancient history, and time seems to move a little slower, even for visitors.
From the Lonely Planet
A Brief History of Umbria
Posted on 15 November 2018in Italy, Umbria
A region which has become increasingly popular amongst tourists year-on-year, Umbria, known as the ‘green heart of Italy’, is a location that captures the true essence of Italian life. Made up of rolling countryside and historic towns and villages, in addition to authentic food and lively culture, it is no surprise that tourists are searching for Umbria villasto explore and learn more about this intriguing region.
The Umbrian Tribe
Located in central Italy, Umbria gained its name from the Umbri, an ancient tribe of people who settled in the area around the 6thcentury BC. However, this is not the earliest civilisation to settle here, with archaeological proof dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. The Umbri tribe flourished early in Italian history, building civilised towns to the east of the region, including Spoleto, Gubbio, Città di Castello and the world-renowned Assisi.
Warring Civilisations
Whilst the Umbri resided to the east of the river Tevere building up their empire, their rivals the Etruscans to the west established towns such as Perugia and Orvieto and created powerful city-states. The two conflicting tribes came to loggerheads when the Umbri land was invaded by the Etruscan people, forcing the Umbrians from their homes. However, the two opposing tribes joined forces in 295BC in an unsuccessful bid to drive away the powerful Roman Empire who sought to take their lands. The battle was to no prevail, with the citizens of Umbria becoming citizens of Rome in 90BC, although it began a long period of peace in the land that was only disturbed when thriving Roman civilisation was invaded by the Barbarians. The Barbarians brought with them suffering, famine and disease, as well as the economic and cultural decline that spread across the region. This dark time in Umbrian history only came to an end through the introduction of Christianity that had begun to infiltrate every aspect of the culture and improving the quality of life.
The Lombard and Papal Era
The political power-gap of the Middle Ages was satisfied by the Lombards who created the Duchy of Spoleto from the 6thcentury up until the 13thcentury when Umbria became part of the Papal State. The region was later divided into independent city-states, each thriving and prospering through their business and art, and supportive of their separate rules by either the Pope or the Holy Roman Empire.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Many important figures and developments have allowed Umbria to be recognised as one of the most important areas of Italy, but perhaps the most famous figure is St Francis of Assisi, who cemented Umbria’s reputation as the core of Italy’s connection to spirituality, something that is still apparent to this day. San Francesco d’Assisi is one of the most venerated religious characters in history, and thousands of pilgrims venture to the majestic town of Assisi to visit the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi and Saint Clare churches.
A Hub of Knowledge
Umbria is also known for being a hub of knowledge, being the home of one of the oldest universities in the world. Founded in 1308, the University of Perugia is a small university with impressive alumni, including multiple popes and, more recently, the actress Monica Bellucci.
The Salt Wars
The medieval feel that has been persevered in Umbria is somewhat thanks to the salt tax. While the ceasing salt trade is well documented in neighbouring Tuscany’s culture – often cited as the region local bread does not have salt in it – the issue came to a head in Perugia during 1540. Up to then, the city had enjoyed a certain autonomy, much to the distaste of successive popes following its inclusion into the Papal States. One of the luxuries afforded to the city was tax-free salt, an important product in food preservation. However, a disastrous harvest for the city was followed by the sudden introduction of a salt tax by Pope Paul III, one that defied treaties signed by his predecessors. When the people rebelled the Pope sent troops into the city, forcing a surrender. This effectively ended the autonomy of the city permanently, signalled by the building of the Pauline Fortress, an imposing wall built around the community of which a few ruins can still be seen today.
Thankfully, peace and beauty now reside in the sleepy region of Umbria, a stark contrast to its turbulent history. Complete serenity is evident in the quintessential villages, rich history and breathtaking scenery that makes it an incredibly desirable holiday destination to visit.
Want to learn more about the region? Discover 10 interesting facts about Umbria!
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