Discover Todi: City history and architecture

For a hotel stay in Todi, the historic heritage is a defining and specific reason to visit. Piazza del Popolo forms the centre of the medieval and modern city and lies on the site of the Roman Forum. Other buildings reflect different eras: the cathedral stands on the piazza, while Santa Maria della Consolazione and San Fortunato each have their own architectural and historical features.

Piazza del Popolo and the Cathedral

Piazza del Popolo lies at the highest point in Todi. Its significance extends beyond the present-day city centre: the square is on the site of the Roman Forum, whose ancient grounds extended beneath the present-day cathedral. Todi Cathedral, the city's principal Catholic place of worship, stands directly on the piazza. The square, cathedral and forum thus relate to different periods in the city's history without representing the same building or era.

The cathedral was built in the 12th century on the ruins of an existing Roman temple. On its inner façade is a fresco of the Last Judgment, created by Faenzone in 1596. These two details give a visit to the church a distinctive historical and artistic dimension: its building history reaches back to antiquity, while the fresco is a specific work of the Renaissance period.

Renaissance architecture and distinctive floor plans

Santa Maria della Consolazione is considered a landmark of Renaissance architecture. Its layout is characterised by a centralised floor plan in the shape of a Greek cross. It has three polygonal apses and one semicircular apse. Construction began in 1508 and was completed in 1607; the design is attributed to Donato Bramante. The long construction period and clearly defined layout offer a different architectural perspective from the cathedral, with its older history and the fresco on its inner façade.

San Fortunato, the museum and art

The building history of Tempio San Fortunato also shapes the impression it makes: the Order of Friars Minor had the church built to the design of an unknown architect. Work began in 1292 and continued into the second half of the 15th century; the building remained unfinished. The Tempio also has a Gothic bell tower dating from 1460. The old monastery with its cloister stands nearby.

The Museo civico e Pinacoteca preserves the historical memory of the Todi area. Casa Dipinta adds a distinctive note: all its walls are decorated with frescoes, and the ancient Ogham alphabet is also depicted there. This alphabet was used in Ireland until the 7th century. The museum and Casa Dipinta complement the churches with different cultural themes: regional history on the one hand, and mural painting and the history of writing on the other.

Art and landscape at Beverly Pepper Park

At Beverly Pepper Park, the sculptural benches known as lunettes also serve as viewpoints. From there, visitors can take in the artworks and the landscape. This brings the experience of art together with views of the surroundings, while Todi's churches and collections offer architectural and historical perspectives on the city.

Getting to Todi

By car, the route follows the Autostrada del Sole: coming from the north, take the Valdichiana exit; from the south, take the Orte exit. Then continue on the E45 to the Todi exit. Check current road conditions before setting off.

The Ferrovia Centrale Umbra connects Todi with several places in Umbria, including central Perugia, Perugia Ponte San Giovanni and Terni. Check current train services before your journey. This lets you plan your trip using the connection that suits you, without treating the train routes as the same as the road routes listed above.

Discover more destinations: San Luca, Scopoli, Monteluco, Cannara, Pantanella, San Biagio De La Valle, Scheggia E Pascelupo, Chiugiana-La Commenda.

For the broader travel overview: Perugia.