Foligno

Foligno
Name	Foligno
Region	Umbria
Province	Province of Perugia
Elevation m	234
Area total km2	263.7
Population total	57117
Population as of	2017

Foligno. It is a significant city and comune in the Umbria region of central Italy, situated in the Province of Perugia along the Topino river. Known as the geographical center of Italy, it has historically been an important crossroads and commercial hub, with a rich heritage spanning from the Umbri to the Romans and flourishing during the Renaissance. The city is famed for its well-preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture, its pivotal role in the history of printing, and its vibrant cultural traditions, including the historic Giostra della Quintana.

History

The area was originally settled by the ancient Umbri people before becoming the Roman municipality of *Fulginiae*, strategically located along the Via Flaminia. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it was contested by the Lombards and the Byzantine Empire before coming under the control of the Papal States. During the Middle Ages, it emerged as a powerful Guelph commune, often rivaling nearby Perugia and Spoleto, and was ruled by influential families like the Trinci from 1305 to 1439. The city's golden age came in the 15th century under the Trinci lords, who were great patrons of the arts, attracting figures like Gentile da Fabriano. In 1472, it became the site of the first printed edition of Dante's Divine Comedy, produced by Johann Numeister and Evan Angelus of Verona. Following annexation by the Papal States under Pope Eugene IV, its political importance waned, though it remained a cultural center, suffering significant damage during World War II from Allied bombing.

Geography

The city lies in the wide, fertile plain of the Umbrian Valley, at the confluence of the Topino and Menotre rivers, near the foothills of the Apennine Mountains. This central position in the Italian peninsula has earned it the nickname "the center of Italy," a claim marked by a stone in the nearby frazione of Sant'Eraclio. The territory is characterized by a mix of agricultural land, river systems, and low mountain ranges, providing a diverse landscape that includes part of the Monti Martani chain. The climate is typically continental, with hot summers and cool, humid winters, influenced by its inland location and proximity to Lake Trasimeno.

Main sights

The historic center is rich with architectural treasures, centered on Piazza della Repubblica, which features the 13th-century Palazzo Trinci, now housing the city's archaeological museum and pinacoteca with frescoes by Gentile da Fabriano and Benozzo Gozzoli. The adjacent Foligno Cathedral, dedicated to San Feliciano, combines Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque elements. Other notable religious buildings include the Oratorio della Nunziatella with frescoes by Perugino, the church of Santa Maria Infraportas with its ancient crypt, and the Basilica of San Salvatore. The Renaissance-era Palazzo Orfini, where the first Divine Comedy was printed, and the neoclassical Palazzo Comunale are significant secular structures. The city's walls, gates like Porta Romana, and the Ponte di Cesare also reflect its layered history.

Culture

Foligno is renowned for the Giostra della Quintana, a spectacular historical jousting tournament held in June and September, with participants in 17th-century costume representing the city's ten rioni. The city has a strong tradition in the visual arts, being the birthplace of the painter Niccolò di Liberatore and closely associated with Gentile da Fabriano. It hosts important cultural institutions like the Italian Center for Photography and the Festival of the Nations music festival. The culinary culture is deeply rooted in Umbrian traditions, featuring local products such as black truffle, lentils of Castelluccio, and renowned wines from the Montefalco area, including Sagrantino.

Economy

The local economy is diversified, with a strong industrial and manufacturing base that includes sectors like metallurgy, textile manufacturing, and food processing, particularly for the renowned Perugina chocolate company. It is a major center for publishing and printing, continuing its historic legacy, and hosts important trade fairs at the Foligno Exhibition Center. Agriculture remains vital in the surrounding plain, with production of tobacco, sugar beet, cereals, and olive oil. The city is also a growing hub for renewable energy research and development, alongside a steady tourism sector focused on its historical and cultural offerings.

Transport

Foligno is a key transport node in central Italy, served by the Foligno railway station, a major junction on the Rome–Ancona railway and the terminus for lines to Terontola and Perugia. The city is easily accessible via the SS3 Flaminia state road and is near the E45 European route, connecting it to Terni and Cesena. The nearby Sant'Egidio Airport in Perugia provides regional air connections, while the city's central location offers efficient road and rail links to major centers like Rome, Florence, and Ancona.

Category:Cities and towns in Umbria Category:Province of Perugia