Spoleto
Of Umbran origins, the first contact with Rome took place at the end of the IV century B.C., in 241 the Roman established a colony called "Spoletum". In 43 B.C. Ottaviano stopped here before the battle of Modena making a sacrifice in one of the temples of the city. The roman senator Giulio Naucellio resided at Spoleto at the beginning of the V century. Embellished by Teodorico
(493) and by Belisario (536) it was conquered by Totila in 545; in 571 the longobard declared Spoleto a duchy. In 951 duke Alberico defeats the arabian invading army in the battle of Garigliano.
In 1155 the city was destroyed by Federico Barbarossa, who appointed Corrado of Urslingen as duke.
Contended then between the empire and the Church, it fell under the control of Innocenzo III in 1198 and the city became a "rectorate" of the papal state.
Monuments:
- The Cathedral (1067) built on the site of a ancient church from the IX century
- Chiesa di San Salvatore (IV century)
- Basilica di Sant'Eufemia (XII century)
- Arco di Druso (23 A.C.), roman arch dedicated to the last son of Tiberio
- Roman Amphitheater (II Century A.C.), converted to fortress by Totila
- Town-hall Palace (XIII century)
- The Municipality Palace
- Chiesa di Sant'Ansano
- Chiesa di San Domenico (XIII century)
- Chiesa di San Gregorio Maggiore (XII century)
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