Last minute Itinerari Todi

The town Todi

The city of Todi surprises in the totality of its buildings, each of them seems to draw charm from the precedent to return it to the following one. To separate this total vision into single places of interest is not simple, but we try it.  

The visit begins from the Tempio della Consolazione, an elegant Renaissance Latin cross church built between 1509 and 1607, perhaps based on project of the Bramante. Continuing in direction of the city centre there's the place in which the rests of Jacopone da Todi are guarded, the Temple of San Fortunato. It's a marvellous building in pure Gothic style, realised on wish of the Franciscan monks beginning from the 1292. The façade is perhaps the most beautiful element with its ample portal elegantly worked with delicious bas-reliefs. Besides the headstone and the bare of Jacopone, it's notable a statue placed to the left of the portal, representing the archangel Gabriele and attributed to Jacopo della Quercia. The inside is divided in three aisles and conserve a fresco of Masolino da Panicale, the "Madonna in Throne with Child", painted in 1432.

A particular note it deserves the Piazza del Popolo, a place that doesn't have equal, where all the elements typical of the Middle Ages are melt together returning to the spectator a vision that leaves spellbound. The religious power is represented by the imposing Cattedrale, which construction is dated back to the XI-XII century, even if the façade is of the XVI century. The central plant is a Latin cross and is realised in Romanesque Lombard style. Entering they deserve attention the precious wooden choir and the "Universal Judgment", work of 1596 of Ferraù da Faenza, known as Faenzone. Going out of the Cathedral , just on the opposite of the square there's Palazzo dei Priori (1334). Austere, severe and delicate at the same time, the fourteenth-century building is characterised by the trapezoidal tower of irregular shape. On the building's left side of the façade there's an eagle in bronze, symbol of the city of Todi, realised by Giovanni di Giliaccio in 1340.

On the right side respect Palazzo dei Priori, on the left respect the Cathedral, they flow in sequence Palazzo del Popolo and Palazzo del Capitano. The façade of this last is realised in precious Gothic style, while an unusual stairway above the arcade is risen for introducing in the entrance raised from the plan of the square. Palazzo del Popolo is one of the most ancient medieval buildings of Todi, built in 1214, unfortunately has light damages. The buildings have been connected in last century and in their upper floors they host the Museum-Picture-Gallery.

There is still a lot to say on the beauties of Todi and on other buildings that deserve to be visited. But to dwell too much would take away from those who go to Todi for the joy of the discovery. A detailed guide takes the risk to define with too much rigor what must be seen, thereby encouraging a hasty and fleeting visit. This must be avoided anywhere, and especially in Todi, where every footstep invites reflection, and every shop has attractions.