Spello
rises up between Assisi and Foligno, situated on a spur of the Subasio
Mountain above a fertile and well-irrigated plain.
Among the neighbouring cities, this is surely the one which preserves
the major number of monuments testifying to the Roman era; for example,
the town walls, which later became the foundations for the medieval
walls, the ruins of the theater and the amphitheater, the thermal
baths and the splendid town portals Porta Consolare, Porta Urbica and
Porta Venere dating back to the Augustean era. In ascent, you'll
arrive at the church of St. Mary Maggiore built Between the 11th and
12th centuries, which, even if it can boast a beautiful facade
riconstructed with antique materials in 1644 at the same time as other
architectonic modificatione were undertaken, guards its most precious
treausure inside. In fact, the marvellous Baglioni Chapel is to be
found on the left-hand side of the nave. with its paintings by
Pinturicchio showing the "Annunciation", the "Nativity" scene and the
"Dispute at the Temple", among other frescoes by the same painter
which are to be found the chapels under the cross vaults and paintings
by Perugino on the pilasters of the entrance to the presbytery. Close
by, it is possible to visit the church of St. Andrew (13th century),
which contains the painting of the "Madonna and the Saints" by
Pinturicchio. Don't forget to take a look at the Town Hall in Piazza
della Repubblica with its beautiful ogival portico, and the church of
St. Laurence with the remains of the older building dating back to the
12th century. Looking out from the ruins of the Castle (14th century)
which is situated on top of the hill, one dominates the valley of the
Topino river and all of the surrounding hillside. Just outside of the
inhabited area you'll find the Romanic church of St. Claudius and the
"Chiesa Tonda" which was built during the Renaissance period in the
form of a Greek cross with an octagonal cupola.
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