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We are going to the beautiful Colonia Julia Hispellum to discover the typical local products in Spello!

As its Latin name suggests, Spello has ancient origins which date back to the time of the Umbrians. Later on the Romans outlined the urban layout, the structure and the defence: elements that we can still find today. This Roman heritage can be admired in the remains of the amphitheatre, the baths, and from the very first steps we take within the fortified village.

We decide to enter from what is the most beautiful access portal to the village – Porta Venere with its Properzio towers. What strikes us about this structure, apart from its singular conformation, is its pale pink colour. Actually if we look around we can see that the colour pink ideally embraces all of Spello. The houses and the walls were built in a stone with a characteristic colour. This stone was extracted from Mount Subasio on which the village is situated.

Let’s start our journey through the streets of the village by following a circular route. While going up we can get lost in the streets of Spello when marvelling at every new glimpse we encounter. In fact, you must know that even the smallest streets of the village are decorated with colourful plants, vases and brightly coloured flowers. This show can be found in every season because the women of the village love to take care of their flower arrangements all year round. You may even happen to see small ceramic tiles hanging on some balconies which recall the victory of these particular dwellings against their competitors in the most beautiful balcony or garden competition in Spello.

When you arrive at the highest point of the village, passing under an arch in the rock, you can fill your eyes with the beauty of the Umbrian countryside. A large terrace is waiting for us from which to look around and take a breath after the climb up as we admire the view of each of the surrounding hills. We are ready to go back to the centre without forgetting to peek through the lanes and take some pictures of the colourful courtyards.

We are in front of the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. We enter and head towards the famous Baglioni Chapel. On the ground we do not find the pink stone this time but a beautiful ceramic floor of Deruta. On the walls we can admire a set of paintings by Pinturicchio as well as some works by Perugino. After this immersion in the art and colours of the frescoes we descend towards the Consular gate with its tower to one side and an olive tree that rises on its top. The olive tree in Spello is not only a symbol of peace but it also represents the most authentic gastronomic tradition of the village: the production of olive oil.

We are now ready to rest. Perhaps sitting at a table and tasting the typical local products of Spello might be a good idea. Let’s start with the oil to taste on a toasted bruschetta and flavoured with garlic. Let’s move on to the first course: we recommend the red potato gnocchi of Colfiorito accompanied with goose meat sauce or a nice plate of tagliatelle with black truffle – the king of the woods and the Umbrian countryside. In this tasting the legumes cannot be missing. There is the wild pea soup, chickpeas, and the Risina beans (the typical beans of Spello).