Spello: Mosaics, Frescoes and Paths of the Via di Francesco

Spello: Mosaics, Frescoes and Paths through Umbria

Spello is one of the Umbrian towns through which the Via di Francesco passes. This brings together art, ancient architectural history and a historically significant pilgrimage route in the town. During your stay, you can therefore explore the town through individual sights as well as specific sections of the route.

Art in Palaces and Mosaic Halls

The art collection of the Pinacoteca is housed in the rooms of the Palazzo dei Canonici. It includes Gothic and Baroque goldsmith’s art, medieval and Renaissance wooden sculptures, as well as paintings from the late 13th century to the 18th century. The Villa dei Mosaici di Spello museum displays ten rooms with mosaic floors and polychrome decorations featuring geometric motifs, human figures, wild animals and fantastic creatures. The Villa dei Mosaici di Spello was discovered in July 2005 just outside Spello’s city walls, in the Sant’Anna area. A free interactive app provides additional multimedia content, detailed photographs and an audio guide.

Augustan Traces in the Townscape

Porta Venere was built during the Augustan period. Spello’s Augustan city walls are about 2 km long, built from Monte Subasio limestone and partly reused in the Middle Ages. Along Via Roma, you can walk beside a section of Spello’s Augustan city walls. If you would like not only to look at ancient architecture but also incorporate it into a walk, this section provides a clear connection between the route and the town’s architectural history.

Pinturicchio and the Baglioni Chapel

The Baglioni Chapel in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore was completely frescoed by Pinturicchio between late summer 1500 and spring 1501. The frescoes depict episodes from the life of Mary as well as everyday scenes with detailed representations of clothing, hairstyles, decorations, flowers and vegetation. It is precisely this combination of religious themes and observed everyday scenes that makes the chapel interesting for visitors who wish to experience historical ways of life alongside the art.

Church, Pilgrimage Route and Local Paths

The Church of San Claudio is a Romanesque building from the 12th century that stands on the remains of a Roman thermal building. Between the 14th and 15th centuries, San Claudio was a destination for pilgrimages; important fairs were held in the square in front of its façade. The Foligno–Assisi section of the Via di Francesco leaves Spello through Porta Montanara and then continues along Via Bulgarella. The local visitor itineraries in Spello lead through lanes and paths and include workshops and olive mills.

The mosaic floors of the villa feature geometric motifs, human figures, wild animals and fantastic creatures; the Baglioni Chapel focuses attention on episodes from the life of Mary and everyday scenes. Spello’s Roman past, by contrast, appears in Porta Venere and the city walls, while San Claudio reveals another historical layer of the town. In this way, you can structure your visit by artistic genre and historical period without losing sight of the town’s paths.

Further Places for Trip Planning

If you would like to view further places for planning your trip: Volterrano, Rancolfo, Ripaioli, Corlo I, Castiglione Del Lago, Compignano, Rasiglia and Pozzuolo.

For the overview of the wider area: Perugia.