Bastia Umbra: Medieval Walls, Churches and the Porchetta Tradition

Bastia Umbra’s historic character is particularly evident in the centre: it lies within medieval walls shaped by defensive structures and narrow streets lined with houses and inhabited as they were in earlier times. The Rocca Baglionesca, several churches and the porchetta tradition of Costano offer different points of interest for a trip focused on architecture, history and local food culture.

Fortified Architecture and Sacred Art

The Rocca Baglionesca is one of Bastia Umbra’s important historic and architectural landmarks. Its fortified complex features projecting polygonal bastions and corner towers. The Rocca also includes the single-nave Church of Sant’Anna, built in the 18th century. Two paintings from the same century are preserved inside: a depiction of the Madonna and Child between Saints Anne, Francis and Clare by Francesco Provvidoni, and a painting of Saint Benedict attributed to the painter Francesco Appiani.

Around the Aggiunta, sections of the medieval walls made of river pebbles and the five former entrance gates—Portella, also known as Porta Perugina, San Rocco, Porta Bettona, Sant’Angelo and Molini—can still be identified. Thus, preserved elements of the fortifications can be seen in the townscape alongside the inhabited streets of the historic centre.

Churches Reflecting Different Historical Periods

The collegiate Church of Santa Croce was built in 1295 together with a monastery by the Order of Friars Minor. The Church of San Michele Arcangelo is located in the town centre on Piazza Mazzini and was consecrated in 1962. The Church of San Paolo delle Abbadesse was built between the 11th and 12th centuries and was associated with a Benedictine convent under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Assisi. It stands near the confluence of the Tescio stream and the Chiascio River.

San Paolo delle Abbadesse is also associated with an event from 1212: at the request of Saint Francis of Assisi, the church sheltered Saint Clare of Assisi for several weeks to protect her from her relatives. In Roman times, Bastia Umbra was known as Insula Romana.

Porchetta and Rural Tradition

In the municipality of Bastia Umbra, the Sagra di Costano celebrates the centuries-old tradition of porchetta; its first edition took place in the 1960s. The festival includes food stalls and the photo exhibition “Un paese un mestiere: Costano e i porchettai”. It presents photographs and objects illustrating rural tradition and the traditional craft of porchetta makers.

Rail Connections and Regional Cycling Route

Bastia Umbra is served by rail connections from Florence and Rome via Terontola and Foligno respectively, as well as from Perugia. In the wider regional area, an easy 12.8-kilometre cycling route connects the Ciclovia del Tevere with the Ciclovia Assisi-Spoleto. It runs from Collestrada to Assisi, includes 80 metres of ascent and 30 metres of descent, and consists of 10 kilometres of asphalt and 2.8 kilometres of gravel. Hybrid bikes and mountain bikes are the most suitable bicycle types for this route.

More Destinations

More destinations to help you plan your trip: Binami, Valfabbrica, Molinaccio, Collazzone, Villa, Foligno, Sanguineto, Poggiodomo

To the higher-level travel overview: Perugia.