(map) 
Spoleto’s walls were built, torn down, re-built, demolished, repaired, and re-placed many times over the course of history. Umbrii, Romans, and Carthaginians to name a few were either the reasons why the walls went up, or down, and in some cases they were both. And that was before the Ostrogoths and Visigoths were running rampant around here and before the Holy Roman Emperor and the Pope went at each other in the 12th and 13th century Guelf and Ghibbeline wars, the front line of which often went straight through Spoleto’s territory.
Majestic to look at, like so many other great fortification walls of the medieval towns of central Italy, a walk around these offer great vistas and a good chance to walk off some of the meal you just ate.
Post-lunch food coma notwithstanding, keep your eyes peeled…! If you’re lucky, you will notice one particular block in the wall that tells its own story. Perhaps an archaeologist with specific knowledge would have more to say about it, but there is no mistaking the words “Saturnu- sacro” carved into this one. (Saturn was “The Big Guy Upstairs” of the day, aka God.) Most likely a block from a temple or an altar that was re-cycled during the above-mentioned 3,000 year-long Spoleto walls (re/de)-construction effort.
fascinating…
not only are Spoleto’s walls interesting, so are the nooks and crannies…
amazing…..
Great piece of writing! I will use this information when I bring guests to Spoleto. Grazie mille for sharing!
Beautiful city! Wished we could’ve spent more time there.
I do not have a printer and was wondering if I could buy these in a book form. …….Sylvia Bonsignore
Absolutely, Silvia. Coming soon! Will let you and all readers know.
GB, ed.
it’s always so interesting. thanks for bringing history and culture to life
I love the stories that old stone walls can tell – thanks for recounting this!
Great, will check it out next trip !!