This small but beautiful city is located in the central part of the country.
Every tourist who wants to enjoy the picturesque views of Europe and admire the ancient architecture goes to Rome. However, there are so many tourists in the legendary city that the trip is more like a struggle for impressions than a full-fledged vacation. For those who are tired of the crowds of tourists, there is an alternative – the beautiful and little-known town of Gubbio in the central part of Italy.
What is Gubbio Famous For – Attractions
Tourists who can already be called sophisticated will definitely be surprised by Gubbio – the sights in the small town will not leave anyone indifferent. The commune has about 30 thousand people, there are practically no tourists there, so everyone who wishes can walk around the city slowly and enjoy the local views.
There is indeed a lot to see in Gubbio – the town is located at the very foot of Monte Ingino, so the views from the highest point of the town are incredible.Video of the dayPlay Video
Gubbio is an ancient city that became part of the Roman Empire in 295 BC, and as you walk through its gray, narrow streets in the embrace of the fog, you can feel this especially strongly. To fully close the door on your time machine, climb the steps to Gubbio’s main square, Piazza Grande. It is considered the largest “hanging” square in the world, supported by 16th-century columns and appearing as if it were floating in the air. Up there, on the observation deck, you can look down on the city, shrouded in thick fog, and appreciate the grandeur of bygone eras.
Palazzo dei Consoli, a 14th-century medieval palace, is located near the exit from the square.
There is also an elevator that takes you to the highest point of the city, the Cathedral. It is located in an olive orchard on a mountain, and even if you arrive during the siesta hours and cannot enter the cathedral, you can always have a picnic and explore Gubbio again. In the vicinity of the orchard, there is a funicular that takes tourists to the Basilica di Sant’Ubaldo. This is the most revered church in the city, and it houses the relics of the patron saint of Gubbio.
Not far from the cathedral, there is a huge wine barrel, another local landmark. It holds twenty thousand liters of wine. Locals say it was made in memory of the record-breaking harvest of that year. The barrel is now located in a 13th-century cellar and is considered the largest in Europe.
After going downstairs by elevator or stairs and walking through the alleys, tourists will be able to find another attraction – Fontana del Bargello. This place is sometimes called the “Fountain of the Madmen” because of a city tradition. The tradition is that every tourist must run around the fountain three times, and then one of the locals must throw water on them. After this, the brave person is given the title of “Madman of Gubbio.”quot; and he will even be able to get written confirmation from a local organization. The process of becoming a madman must be witnessed by a native of Gubbio, and the document will not be issued without a witness.
After passing the fountain and reaching the slope of Monte Ingino, tourists find themselves in the huge English park Il Parco Ranghiasci. In search of this very park, many visitors remained perplexed, because they could not find a classic fence space with trees, flowerbeds and benches. In fact, the Gubbio Park is a huge part of the open area, where maple, chestnut and linden trees grow. And although the park has paths, it looks like a forest.
How to get to Gubbio, Italy
After you’ve realized that there’s a lot to see in Gubbio, you’ll need to plan a good route. The fact is that there are no trains to the city, only buses and cars. The easiest way to get there is through Rome, where you can take a train from Termini Station to Fossato di Vico and then take a bus to Gubbio.
