RogerDodger and FancyNancy Circle the Globe: Spoleto...

The streak continues...another interesting, fun and beautiful day. Since today is All Souls Day (whatever that is), we decided to skip Assisi because it is one of the most religious places we’ll visit, and go to a less religious community (if that’s possible in Italy). We decided Spoleto is today’s choice, its a large city about an hour SE of Alviano, located in the mountains. With the all the leaves changing colors, it was a wonderful drive...It would remind you of the Colorado Rockies except there is even more color.

Spoleto is another one of those ancient places, a colony of Rome’s as far back as 241 BC. During the 2nd Punic War it was allied with Rome against the Carthaginians and withstood the onslaught of Hannibal’s armies, thereby impeding the Carthaginian general from continuing his advance on Rome. The city has a long history of war and has been sacked twice, once in 80 BC ,as a consequence of Civil War and again in the 12th century by Frederick I.

There are many things to see and do in Spoleto, of most interest to us, was a Roman Amphitheater built in the 1st century AD...it is in amazing condition and can be observed from Libero Piazza, just above it...the performance area had a marble floor that is in remarkable condition. We also had a chance to see the Drusus and Monterone Arch’s...The Drusus was built around the 1st century AD and the Monterone in the 3rd century BC...they are both very well preserved and I walked under each.

We also stopped at St Peters Church on the way into town, saw the beautiful Tower Bridge, the Spoleto Cathedral and St. Ansano Church where the crypt of St Isaac (12th century) is located.

We took time out for lunch at Al Bacco Felice and would heartily recommend it to anyone heading to Spoleto. After lunch we wondered thru the old city...very chic, very old but reborn with great shops and restaurants. It’s crazy this blend of old with new...very cool.