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Holidays in Gubbio
Located in the Umbria region, Gubbio is famously known as the "City of Stone." It is one of Italy’s oldest and best-preserved medieval towns, rising dramatically on the slopes of Mount Ingino.
History & Description
Gubbio’s roots go back to the ancient Umbrian civilization, long before the Romans. Its most important historical artifact is the Eugubine Tablets (3rd–1st century BC), seven bronze tablets written in the Umbrian language, now housed in the Palazzo dei Consoli.
The Stone City: The town is a labyrinth of steep, narrow alleys and limestone buildings. A unique architectural feature is the "Dead Man’s Door" (Porta del Morto)—extra-narrow doors found next to the main entrances of many medieval houses, which legend says were used only for carrying out the coffins of the deceased.
Piazza Grande: This is one of the most remarkable medieval squares in Italy. It is a "hanging square," built like a giant terrace projecting over the valley below, flanked by the Gothic Palazzo dei Consoli and the Palazzo Pretorio.
Typical Foods
Gubbio is a major gastronomic hub in Umbria, focusing on simple, hearty "mountain" flavors:
Truffles: Gubbio is famous for both white and black truffles, often served over strangozzi (thick, handmade pasta).
Crescia al Panaro: A traditional flatbread cooked on a hot stone disc (testo), typically filled with local prosciutto, sausage, or wild greens.
Friccò all’eugubina: A rich, slow-cooked meat stew (usually chicken, lamb, or rabbit) with tomatoes, garlic, and aromatic herbs.
Baccalà alla Ceraiola: Salt cod soaked in milk and cooked with tomatoes and rosemary—a traditional dish during the Ceri festival.
Ganascioni: A typical sweet made by the nuns of Santa Lucia, often enjoyed with Barcarola (barley coffee with anise liqueur).
Activities & Shops
Funivia Colle Eletto: A thrilling (and slightly terrifying) open-air "birdcage" cable car that carries you from the city center up to the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo.
Fontana dei Matti (Fountain of the Madmen): Located in front of the Palazzo del Bargello. According to tradition, if you run around it three times and are "baptized" with its water by a local, you can receive an official "Madman’s License."
Ceramics Shops: Gubbio is world-renowned for its majolica ceramics, particularly those with a unique ruby-red luster. You can find many workshops in the historic center.
Leather and Wrought Iron: The town also has a long tradition of high-quality leather goods and intricate ironwork.
Festivals
Festa dei Ceri (May 15): One of Italy's oldest and most intense festivals. Three teams carry massive, 15-foot-tall wooden pillars (ceri) topped with statues of saints in a frantic race through the steep streets up to the mountaintop.
Palio della Balestra (Last Sunday of May): A medieval crossbow competition between the archers of Gubbio and their rivals from Sansepolcro, accompanied by flag-tossing and historical costumes.
The World’s Largest Christmas Tree: Every December, more than 800 lights are arranged on the slopes of Mount Ingino to form the shape of a giant Christmas tree that can be seen from miles away.
Nature
Mount Ingino: The mountain overlooking the city offers numerous hiking trails with panoramic views of the Apennines.
Gola del Bottaccione: A nearby limestone gorge of immense scientific importance; it was here that scientists found evidence of the iridium layer that helped prove the asteroid theory of dinosaur extinction.
Monte Cucco Regional Park: Just 40 minutes away, this park is a haven for hiking, paragliding, and exploring vast karst cave systems.
The Franciscan Trail: A spiritual hiking path that connects Gubbio to Assisi, retracing the steps of St. Francis of Assisi.
History & Description
Gubbio’s roots go back to the ancient Umbrian civilization, long before the Romans. Its most important historical artifact is the Eugubine Tablets (3rd–1st century BC), seven bronze tablets written in the Umbrian language, now housed in the Palazzo dei Consoli.
The Stone City: The town is a labyrinth of steep, narrow alleys and limestone buildings. A unique architectural feature is the "Dead Man’s Door" (Porta del Morto)—extra-narrow doors found next to the main entrances of many medieval houses, which legend says were used only for carrying out the coffins of the deceased.
Piazza Grande: This is one of the most remarkable medieval squares in Italy. It is a "hanging square," built like a giant terrace projecting over the valley below, flanked by the Gothic Palazzo dei Consoli and the Palazzo Pretorio.
Typical Foods
Gubbio is a major gastronomic hub in Umbria, focusing on simple, hearty "mountain" flavors:
Truffles: Gubbio is famous for both white and black truffles, often served over strangozzi (thick, handmade pasta).
Crescia al Panaro: A traditional flatbread cooked on a hot stone disc (testo), typically filled with local prosciutto, sausage, or wild greens.
Friccò all’eugubina: A rich, slow-cooked meat stew (usually chicken, lamb, or rabbit) with tomatoes, garlic, and aromatic herbs.
Baccalà alla Ceraiola: Salt cod soaked in milk and cooked with tomatoes and rosemary—a traditional dish during the Ceri festival.
Ganascioni: A typical sweet made by the nuns of Santa Lucia, often enjoyed with Barcarola (barley coffee with anise liqueur).
Activities & Shops
Funivia Colle Eletto: A thrilling (and slightly terrifying) open-air "birdcage" cable car that carries you from the city center up to the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo.
Fontana dei Matti (Fountain of the Madmen): Located in front of the Palazzo del Bargello. According to tradition, if you run around it three times and are "baptized" with its water by a local, you can receive an official "Madman’s License."
Ceramics Shops: Gubbio is world-renowned for its majolica ceramics, particularly those with a unique ruby-red luster. You can find many workshops in the historic center.
Leather and Wrought Iron: The town also has a long tradition of high-quality leather goods and intricate ironwork.
Festivals
Festa dei Ceri (May 15): One of Italy's oldest and most intense festivals. Three teams carry massive, 15-foot-tall wooden pillars (ceri) topped with statues of saints in a frantic race through the steep streets up to the mountaintop.
Palio della Balestra (Last Sunday of May): A medieval crossbow competition between the archers of Gubbio and their rivals from Sansepolcro, accompanied by flag-tossing and historical costumes.
The World’s Largest Christmas Tree: Every December, more than 800 lights are arranged on the slopes of Mount Ingino to form the shape of a giant Christmas tree that can be seen from miles away.
Nature
Mount Ingino: The mountain overlooking the city offers numerous hiking trails with panoramic views of the Apennines.
Gola del Bottaccione: A nearby limestone gorge of immense scientific importance; it was here that scientists found evidence of the iridium layer that helped prove the asteroid theory of dinosaur extinction.
Monte Cucco Regional Park: Just 40 minutes away, this park is a haven for hiking, paragliding, and exploring vast karst cave systems.
The Franciscan Trail: A spiritual hiking path that connects Gubbio to Assisi, retracing the steps of St. Francis of Assisi.
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