GUBBIO

Gubbio is one of the oldest Umbrian cities. Here you can breathe history from every stone and many are the traces of its glorious past: the Roman Theater of the first century AD, the Basilica of Sant'Ubaldo which overlooks the city and houses the remains of the saint, patron of Gubbio, the Gothic cathedral , the Church of Santa Maria Nuova which houses the fresco "The Madonna of the Belvedere" by Ottaviano Nelli, master painter and miniaturist who owes his birth to Gubbio. In the Palazzo dei Consoli, home of the Civic Art Gallery, we find the "Tavole Eugubine", seven bronze tablets bearing inscriptions in Umbrian characters of the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC and Latin characters of the II and I centuries BC, very important documents for the history of the Italic peoples.

The history of Gubbio is also deeply connected to that of St. Francis. According to what is narrated in the XXI chapter of "The Little Flowers of Saint Francis", it is here, near the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria (called "Chiesa della Vittorina"), that the saint miraculously managed to tame a ferocious wolf that had long terrified the inhabitants of Gubbio.

Hopefully you've also heard of the Chistmas Tree of Gubbio which is actually the biggest Christmas tree in the world. The tree, annually installed on the slopes of the Mount Ingino, it's 650 meters high and 350 meters wide and counts more than 8.000 multi-coloured lights, with a huge come star on top.  In 1991 the Guinness Book of Records named it "The World's Largest Christmas Tree". The lightning ceremony take place every year on the eve of the feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 7) and stays lit up until the Epiphany (January 6)...you don't want to miss this!

GUBBIO, MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL

September

Gubbio medieval festival is not exactly a historical re-enactment, but a real international cultural event that involves, in addition to enthusiasts, also historians, essayists, writers, directors, architects and qualified journalists, to illustrate ten centuries of history, from the fall of the Roman Empire to the discovery of America, with cultural events, exhibitions, markets, street performances and shows.

GUBBIO, the CORSA DEI CERI 

May 15

The Corsa dei Ceri is one of the most spectacular secular festivals in Umbria. The event takes place every year in Gubbio on May 15, in honor of St. Ubaldo, patron saint of the city. The event commits the participants, in an exciting race from the historic center to the Basilica of Sant'Ubaldo on Mount Ingino, where the three districts of Gubbio challenge each other carrying along the entire path the three candles, imposing wooden structures from weight of about four quintals each. An event with a strong involvement not only for the inhabitants of Gubbio, but also for all visitors who love Umbria and its folklore.

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