Bevagna

Bevagna is a slightly unusual town for Umbria in that it is not a hill town but flat, lying in the plain of the Topino river. It has several interesting things to see. Roman columns and friezes can be found all over because Bevagna was constructed on top of Roman ruins. Like several other towns in Umbria it is listed as one of the "Borghi più belli d'Italia" (Most Beautiful Boroughs in Italy).

Get in

The church of Sam Michele Arcangelo

By car

• From Rome: Leave the A1 Autostrada at Orte, joining the E45 in the direction of Perugia. After 20 km (12 mi) or so ignore the sign for Perugia and continue straight to Spoleto. From Spoleto you can either carry on along the main SS3 highway before taking a left to Bevagna or you can explore the back roads between Spoleto and the town.

By train

There is a railway station at Foligno, 8 km (5.0 mi) to the west, with connections to Rome and Florence.

See

• Piazza Silvestri. Here can be found the Palace of the Consols (Palazzo dei Consoli) in Gothic style, and the churches of San Silvestro (with a beautiful 15th Century Crucifix) and San Michele Arcangelo. The two churches were built by the same architects in the 12th Century in Romanesque style. The layout of the square is not at all symmetrical, which adds to its appeal. The fountain, added in the 19th Century in fake Gothic style, offers potable water when sightseeing becomes thirsty work. (updated Mar 2019)
• Palazzo del Municipio (Palazzo Lepri). On Corso Matteotti, which follows the route of the Roman Via Flaminia. The town hall dates back to the 1700s. There is a good, but small, museum. (updated Mar 2019)
• Bevagna Civic Museum, Corso Giacomo Matteotti, 70 (In the Palazzo del Municipio), ☏ +39 0742 360031. 10.30-13.00 and 14.30-17.00 afternoon hours vary in summer.. Contains some interesting paintings. Here you can also ask to see Bevagna's underground Roman baths, which have some excellent mosaics. 

Sleep

• 1 Il Poggio dei Pettirossi, Vocabolo Pilone, 301, ☏ +39 0742 361744, fax: +39 0742 369238. Formerly an agriturismo now a 3-star hotel this is a couple of miles from Bevagna. €80-100 for a double.