If you’re looking for a small village that combines authenticity, liveliness, and beauty, Foligno is a stop you can’t miss
Located in a central position along the Umbrian Valley, Foligno surprises visitors with its rich artistic heritage, the medieval atmosphere that you can breathe in its streets, and the many cultural and gastronomic events that animate it throughout the year.
In this guide, we’ll discover what to see in Foligno, what to do, the festivals to experience, and the flavors to taste to fall in love with this human-scale city.
Inhabited since Roman times and crossed by the Via Flaminia, Foligno played an important role in the Middle Ages, both for its strategic position and its cultural vocation. Famous for being the first city to print Dante’s Divine Comedy in 1472, today it is also known for the historic Giostra della Quintana, one of the most spectacular reenactments in Italy.
You could decide to spend a weekend in Foligno or discover it joining one of our tours:
What to see in Foligno
We have prepared a list of things you shouldn’t miss in Foligno, a city that goes beyond appearances: less touristy than other Umbrian centers, but equally rich in art, events, and traditions. Whether you love history, good food, or medieval reenactments, discovering what to see in Foligno will give you an authentic journey into the heart of the liveliest Umbria.
- Piazza della Repubblica;
- Palazzo Trinci;
- Chiesa di San Francesco;
- Museo della Stampa.
Piazza della Repubblica
The heart of the historic center, it hosts the Cathedral of San Feliciano, the Town Hall, and Palazzo Trinci: a true treasure trove of medieval and Renaissance art. From here, the main streets branch out leading to the gates of the old town. It is said that in this square San Francesco d’Assisi began his path of conversion by giving away his clothes and his horse.
Palazzo Trinci
One of Foligno’s main attractions, this palace houses the civic museum and preserves frescoes by Gentile da Fabriano, as well as archaeological and multimedia collections.
The historic Palazzo Trinci, home to the city’s archaeological museum, is the result of a renovation of pre-existing buildings carried out between 1389 and 1407 by Ugolino Trinci.
Inside, refined frescoed rooms depict stories of the Virgin Mary, representations of the liberal arts, the seven planets, and the seven ages of man.
The Hall of the Emperors hosts beautiful frescoes attributed to Gentile da Fabriano celebrating the greatness of Rome. At the center of each arch, there is a symbol of Roman history shown as an example of greatness and virtue.
Chiesa di San Francesco
A small Gothic jewel that houses the tomb of Blessed Pietro Crisci. Nearby, the modern Church of San Paolo Apostolo, designed by Massimiliano Fuksas, offers a fascinating architectural contrast.
Museo della Stampa
A tribute to Foligno’s typographic tradition: here you will discover the history of the first printed edition of the Divine Comedy, the editio princeps.
What to do in Foligno - the Slow Active Tours proposal
Foligno offers many opportunities to experience the territory authentically. For this reason, we have prepared a list of things to do in Foligno that you absolutely can’t miss!
The Giostra della Quintana is the symbol of Foligno’s identity. A knightly competition involving the city’s ten districts with historic costumes, taverns, parades, and stadium-like enthusiasm. Unmissable!
During those days, the city comes alive with the opening of the ten district taverns where you can taste typical 17th-century local dishes. All participants come dressed in faithful Baroque period costumes, offering visitors a unique journey back in time. The horseback challenge is preceded by the fascinating historic parade and a cooking competition among the districts: a reenactment of a sumptuous Baroque banquet. During the cooking competition, music played with period instruments can be heard, and dances performed by professionals wearing period costumes can be seen. Foligno also welcomes the passage of the Via di Francesco, a captivating route that combines natural beauty and the spirituality of places dear to the Saint, who found his second home in Foligno.
Festivals and popular celebrations in Foligno
Foligno is deeply connected to its agricultural and religious traditions, celebrated with authentic and engaging events.
In September, the important Festival Primi d’Italia takes place, a delicious event dedicated to the first courses of Italian gastronomic culture: pasta, risottos, soups, gnocchi, and street food. A tasty and original event that attracts thousands of visitors. For the occasion, the entire historic center is decorated festively.
In spring and summer, many hamlets organize agricultural festivals such as the Festa della Rievocazione Contadina (Peasant Reenactment Festival) where citizens gather in the districts to relive, through reenactments, vintage machinery, outdoor dinners, and local typical products, the agricultural traditions of the village.
Typical dishes of Foligno
Foligno’s cuisine reflects Umbrian tradition: simple, genuine, and full of flavor. Let’s look at some of the city’s most representative dishes. Roveja and cicerchie are the symbolic dish of tradition, characterized by the use of ancient legumes still cultivated today in the Colfiorito area, often featured in rustic soups. Strangozzi with black truffle are a traditional fresh pasta seasoned with one of Umbria’s most precious ingredients. Coratella and animelle: specialties found in the taverns during the Quintana, loved by locals for their strong flavor. The Rocciata of Foligno is a dessert similar to strudel, made with apples, raisins, walnuts, pine nuts, and cinnamon: a true delight.
Eating and Drinking in Foligno
Here are some suggestions from the area:
Now that you know what to see in Foligno, all you have to do is lose yourself in its narrow streets and let the scent of warm bread and the distant sound of bells guide you.
