GUBBIO

This is actually one of the most-visited hill top towns in Umbria. We went there initially as it is known for its ceramics.

Although quite the tourist destination, there is more to see than ceramics. There is a well-preserved roman amphitheater date dates back to 1 AD. You will enjoy the sights and feeling of the town. Many of the old buildings date back to the 13th Century. The Palazzo dei Consoil dates from the 14th Century is the beautiful town hall.

Gubbio is about 40 km north of Perugia. In the 1st century BC Gubbio became a Roman municipality and all seemed well. But with the fall of the Roman Empire, it was attacked and destroyed by the Goths. then later the Byzantines and then the Longobards took over the city.

With all of this, there is some greater heritage and Gubbio is described as being a compact masterpiece of medieval civilization. It sometimes is referred to as one of the most beautiful medieval cities of Europe. We are always a little leary of the "most beautiful designation" as sometimes we have driven out of way to a particular town and not been as impressed as we thought we would be.

In Gubbio, all the homes has a medieval origin and the city itself is protected by prefectly conserved medieval wall.