POINTS
OF INTEREST TODI
TODI
Situated in ancient times on the border between the Etruscan
and Umbrian territories, Todi has been defined as the most
livable town on earth by the University of Kentucky for
its size, its climate, its hilltop location and for it harmonious
relationship to its surroundings. An interesting artistic
center in a magnificent position dominating the Tiber valley
famous for its Roman and Etruscan remains, for its palaces,
its churches and its suggestive medieval environment. Picturesque
winding streets, stone buildings, arches, medieval wells,
sudden ascents and descents that create various prospective
and sudden views of faraway valleys, hills and mountains
all contribute to Todi’s unique charm. In the center
of town is the long rectangular Piazza del Popolo, considered
to be one of the most beautiful in Italy, onto which face
the Palazzo dei Priori, Palazzo del Popolo and Palazzo del
Capitano all originally 13th c. civic buildings still used
as such today, and the 11th-12th c. Duomo. The newly restored
and reorganized Museo Civico e Pinacoteca houses important
pieces ranging from rare Etruscan coins to 16th c. Italian
paintings. (click for
History of Todi)
Todi has
a fascinating history. Built on Etruscan ruins the town
is peppered with Etruscan arches, Roman cisterns and medieval
buildings. Todi is home to some of Italy's oldest public
building. Palace of the Priori, the Palace of the Captain
and Palace of the People all in the Todi's main piazza The
Piazza del Popolo. Also in the main piazza is the Duomo.
The date of its initiation and completion are
uncertain. Some maintain that the original structure dates
from the 9th century. The church is in the form of a Latin
cross with three naves. It is the result of a variety of
styles, due to an architectural superimposition resulting
from the centuries of construction.Just off the main Piazza
is the gothic styled Convent of S. Fortunato built between
1292 and 1463 in honor of S. Fortunato, the patron bishop
of Todi, who lived around the middle of the 6 th century.
One of Todi's most notable structures is the temple of St.
Mary of the Consolation. Located at the main entrance to
the city. It is maintained that it was build following a
project by architect Bramante.
Todi is surrounded by three walls built during Etruscan,
Roman and Medieval times. The third wall was built in 13th
century all long the town from Consolazione Church to Porta
Romana. The building of the third wall date back to 1244,
but it lasted until the 16th century. Porta Romana, built
in 1580, Porta Fratta and Porta Perugina belong were all
built during this time.
Todi Tower wallsFollowing the walls from Porta Romana to
Porta San Giorgio it is possible to reach some of Todi's
well perserved towers and continute on to Porta Orvietana,
now completely collapsed,(location of the vinicular) . To
the west side, Porta della Valle and a part of the walls
were demolished at the beginning of the century to create
an entrance to Via Ciuffelli. Porta Aurea and Porta Catena
are part of the Roman walls. Porta della Catena still has
the big ring on the right side where chains were hooked
to seal the city. Porta Marzia is one of the view remaining
Etruscan gates. you can access this directly from Piazza
del Popolo heading toward Porto Romano. The Valle Inferiore
Wall is a Roman construction to stop the sliding of the
hill and to create the terracing upstairs. Along the wall,
two mouth tunnels ( the so-called lower Etruscan and higher
Etruscan) are still used to drain water.
A complex underground net of tunnels, wells and cisterns
was parallel to the visible town development. These were
used to drain and canalize underground water and to supply
water. This water network is still operating thanks to the
upkeep, until the building of the modern waterworks in 1925.
During the 13th century many changes to the urban order
create problems to water-supply. So new waterworks were
built up and the old cistern in Piazza del Popolo was opened
again. In 1829, L. Astancolle re-designs the historical
centre, so many wells were discovered ( nowadays more than
500 are known)
They date back to different ages and they were linked to
the tunnels. This system can be divided into two groups:
1. open-air tunnels
2. tunnels built in gallery
roman cistern todiThe first ones were created in the terracing
areas during the filling up of the bank, so their drainage
action avoids the strong pressure caused by water on the
walls. The second ones were built in galleries digging at
the stratum level, in order to channel water for the town.
In Roman times all the water-supply depend on twelve cisterns
put under Piazza del Popolo and Palazzo dei Priori. They
are made up of concrete except some partition walls. They
are linked through arched doors put along the central axis,
but they are not aligned in order to avoid streams. It is
possible to see different building techniques because of
the upkeep, made in different times. In 1994 other cisterns
were discovered ( the so-called new cisterns) set under
the tobacconist's shop in piazza del Popolo. It is supposed
that water entered these rooms through a link with the tunnels.
For more information about the cisterns check out www.comune.todi.pg.it
Points of Interest
in Umbrian
click on the town
HOTELS IN TODI
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