Todi

Todi, town and comune (township) of the Province of Perugia (Umbria) in Italy. Its population in 2003 was 16,800; it is perched on a tall two-breasted hill overlooking the east bank of the Tiber, commanding distant views in every direction.

Related Topics:
Perugia - Umbria - Italy - Tiber

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The city's origins are essentially unknown but very likely Etruscan. Its ancient name was Tuder. Todi is surrounded by three more or less complete concentric walls: the outermost is medieval, the middle wall is Roman, and the innermost is recognizable as partly Etruscan.

Related Topics:
Etruscan - Roman

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Almost all its main medieval monuments — the cathedral church (Duomo), the Palazzo del Capitano, the Palazzo del Priore, and the Palazzo del Popolo — front on the main square on the lower breast of the hill: the piazza is thus one of the most picturesque in Italy and is often used as a movie set. The church of S. Fortunato and the sparse ruins of a medieval fortress (Rocca) lie on the other breast of the hill; a colossal Roman niched substructure of uncertain purpose (the Nicchioni), the slight ruins of a Roman amphitheatre, about a dozen smaller churches, and a few Renaissance or classical palazzi, among which the most important is one by Vignola, round out the sights.

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Todi's most striking church, however, is on the flank of the hill: the beautifully sited domed Renaissance church of S. Maria della Consolazione, often attributed, although without sufficient reason, to Bramante.

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Todi is the birthplace of the Franciscan poet Jacopone da Todi, who is buried in a special crypt in the church of S. Fortunato.

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