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Monday, April 11, 2016

Spoleto

Spoleto, yet another "vertical" hill town in the Umbria Region, is an hour's train ride south of Perugia. We spent 2 days there, mostly rambling in the hilly surrounds.

Spoleto has 3 "people movers", moving folks from the lower part town to the upper and vise versa; and intended to reduce automobile traffic in the city center. This one, #3, has the most WOW!!! in my opinion.


Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Of course the Cathedral is impressive; and with Islamic-styled mosaics.
Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

And there are views to the narrow valley below...
Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

...which is spanned by a very old arched bridge.
Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

View from the bridge to the Castello which was a prison until 1982.

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

The Giro (Tour) dei Condotti offers a panoramic view back to Spoleto and the old bridge.
Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Our "apartment" had a kitchenette so, after a stop at a local supermarket, Sun-Ling cooked up some green veggies and pasta.
Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

On our one "full" day we set out on the Spoleto-Norica Rail Trail for a hike, completing about 10 kilometers of the 51 kilometers trail before heading back to town via Monteluco. A gorgeous Spring day on the trail; we were able to walk about 15 kms without sweating and sit in the sun without cooking.
Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

And forage for wild asparagus.
Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

The old "2 kilometer" marker of the railroad.
Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

As the railway goes slowly up, up, up through the hills with a tunnel then a viaduct (bridge), then a few kms later a 480 degree curve to a bridge. Very cool.
Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

The start of the last 360 degrees of the curve where one can see the bridge above.
Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

And on top for a lunch break.
Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Done with the rail trail, we followed some MTB (mountain bike) trails back to town via Monteluco and St Pietro Church.
Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Steep!!
Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

This guy was headed up.
Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

San Pietro.
Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Not to mention Spoleto's Ancient Roman Theater (with a church in the middle) and Piazza in city center.
Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

4 comments:

Kathy said...

Love the people mover! Isn't it nice to do your own cooking occasionally?

Crash Eddy said...

Yes, WOW on the people mover, how splendid! Sorta outdoes the one at RDU. Lovely rail-to-trail with bridge, loop, and trail signs. What does the solar array cover?

Liz said...

What were all the solar panels used for?

john said...

The solar panels cover an outbuilding on a small farm with rooms for rent and an olive grove. Just above and behind me is a balcony with room for a wheelchair. I told SL to bring me here when I can't walk - haha.

Ed, I thought you would enjoy finding that railtrail on GM. Note that if you follow the trail to the east, there is a 2 km straight tunnel, then later, at least a 360 tunnel.

Kathy, SL cooked again last night in Ferrara - the best!

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