Discover Terni: Antiquity, Art and Umbrian Paths

Terni combines Roman and medieval traces with museums, contemporary art, gardens and excursions into the Umbrian countryside.

Ancient and Sacred History

The Roman Amphitheatre is Terni’s most imposing surviving Roman monument. Another historical layer is represented by the Basilica of San Valentino, which stands on the site of an ancient Christian cemetery. This is one of Umbria’s most important early Christian necropolises.

Terni Cathedral, Santa Maria Assunta, has its present appearance following renovations carried out between the 16th and 17th centuries. Its original core was built at the burial site of Bishop Sant’Anastasio; its foundations are visible beneath a glass floor.

The city gates also tell stories of different periods. The Church of San Salvatore is one of Terni’s oldest religious buildings; its origins date back to the early Middle Ages. Porta Sant’Angelo was the western exit of the medieval city. The Via Flaminia ran through Porta Spoletina from Terni towards Spoleto.

At the Carsulae Archaeological Park, the remains of the most important public, civic and religious monuments of the ancient centre are visible. For practical planning, it is important to note that not all areas are easily accessible. The visitor centre is fully accessible to people with disabilities.

Museums, Art and New Uses

The Claudia Giontella Archaeological Museum is divided into a pre-Roman and a Roman section and tells the story of Interamna Nahars.

The Aurelio De Felice Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art combines the historic city art gallery, previously housed in Palazzo Gazzoli, with a new contemporary art section. The Paleolab offers a different approach to the past: it is a fossil museum housed in an impressive deconsecrated 13th-century church. The Paleolab can only be visited by reservation.

Terni is also home to Arnaldo Pomodoro’s Lancia di Luce, a 30-metre-high cast-steel sculpture weighing 90 tonnes. CAOS is located on the River Nera and was created by converting a disused industrial area. In different ways, both places combine art, urban history and the visible transformation of urban spaces.

Gardens, Lake and Special Paths

The public gardens of La Passeggiata cover just under 4 hectares and lie between the walls of the ancient Roman city and Terni’s historic centre. La Passeggiata also has botanical value, as it is home to species included in Italy’s list of monumental trees. The garden is therefore both a clearly defined open space and a place with historical and botanical significance.

The Cammino dei Protomartiri Francescani begins in Terni and honours the Franciscan protomartyrs. Boat excursions on Lake Piediluco depart from several access points along the lakeside beaches.

Umbrian Landscape and Regional Wines

The Strada dei Vini Etrusco Romana crosses the province of Terni through areas that were once Etruscan and Roman territories. It passes through a region of art cities and typically Umbrian landscapes and includes renowned wineries producing DOC and IGT wines from Umbria. This creates an opportunity to combine history, landscape and regional wine culture when planning your days, without requiring cultural and nature experiences to be enjoyed in the same way.

Terni is served by the Rome–Ancona railway line. This information can be taken into account when planning your journey, along with the different requirements of individual destinations: at Carsulae, accessibility to the various areas is a consideration, while the Paleolab requires a reservation. This allows you to arrange your choice of sights and excursions to suit your personal pace of travel.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

More places to choose from individually: San Gemini, Castel Giorgio, Acquasparta, Allerona, Sismano, Alviano, Torreorsina, Fabro Scalo, Casigliano, Borgaria, Morruzze, Pornello, Finocchieto, Capitone, Papigno, Melezzole, Cecalocco, San Carlo, Rotecastello, Itieli, Carnaiola, Vasciano, Prodo, Piediluco, Monterubiaglio, Porano, Montegiove, Visciano Di Narni, Terni, Canino, Attigliano, Arrone, Montecampano, Fornole, Monterivoso, San Vito In Monte, Schifanoia, Castel Dell'aquila, Amelia, Orvieto, Narni, Montecchio, Vagli, Collescipoli, Torre San Severo, Macchie, Morrano Nuovo, Narni Scalo, Rosaro, Portaria, Lugnano In Teverina, Collelungo, Montecastrilli, Vigne, Otricoli, Stroncone, Parrano, Orvieto Scalo, Toscolano, Giove, Foce, Guardea, Benano, San Marino, Acqualoreto, San Liberato, Tenaglie, Poggio Aquilone, Montoro, Gualdo, Dunarobba, Polino, Collicello, Canonica, Corbara, Montegabbione, Montefranco, Cantone, Poggio, Casteldelmonte, Avigliano Umbro, Baschi, Calvi Dell Umbria, Canale Nuovo, Castel Viscardo, Cesi, Civitella Del Lago, Coppe, Fabro, Ferentillo, Ficulle, Monteleone D'orvieto, Ripalvella, Macerino, San Venanzo, Penna In Teverina.

For the overarching travel overview: Umbria.