Frescoes, the mountains and Todi

Today was a big day out, especially for the driver. We set off heading east, going cross country through little roads to Cerqueto, another little town that is documented from the 1200s. We visited the church of Santa Maria Assunta to see the Pietro Vanucci 'Il Perugino' fresco, San Sebastiano. Painted in 1478 it is one of his earlier works and in our opinion lacks the brilliance of his later works.

San Sebastiano

In Città della Pieve on Sunday we saw four Il Perugino works and there is a stunning one in Panicale. You can see how his work developed and understand how he became the teacher of Raphael and other noted artists. He has work in the Sistine Chapel.

Just visible behind the altar is the 'Madonna in Glory with Saints'

'Baptism of Christ'

'The Adoration of the Magi'

'The Martyrdom of San Sebastiano'  (in Panicale)

We often hear people say they are churched out in Italy but the churches are the places to see much of the wonderful Renaisance art. We rarely visit art galleries but he have seen many of the great art works of that time.

We drove on to Marsciano but it was pausa time so very little to see. I think Marsciano has outgrown its historic centre but there were some beautiful buildings and signs of a ceramics industry.

Then we started on the green scenic route to Orvieto, so designated by the Michelin Guide, but in our opinion it means steep and very winding with lots of trees beside the road. There is rarely a view and never anywhere where you can stop to admire or take a photo. We climbed to 837 m. It was 2 pm before we found a small bar at Colonnetta and had a quick snack. We then headed back on another green route road to Todi. What a pleasure to finally see Todi!

This was our third visit to Todi (in seventeen years) so we mostly re- visited places we has seen before. Two more new flavours of gelato tried today. The gelateria had at least a dozen new flavours and I'm not going to be able to try them. Moan!

                     Tempio di Santa Maria della Consolazione - exterior and interior

     

Cathedrale delle Santissima Annunziata

 The Piazza del Popolo

Chiesa di San Fortunato. Rotary has financed a lot of restoration work in this church.

A steep walk back down to the car park ... you can imagine the steep climb up to the piazza.

When we left Todi we got onto the E45 motorway and arrived home a lot faster than the outward journey.