Umbria Suspended in Time: Strolling through blooming villages and across Tibetan bridges

Visit the village of Spello, a small gem listed among the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.” In its historic center, between the narrow alleys each house is embellished with colorful plants and flowers. The walls are among the most important remains of Spello’s ancient past, when the city was known as Splendidissima Colonia Julia. Along their path, you’ll find monumental gates such as the Consular Gate and the Venus Gate, the latter characterized by the Towers of Properzio, the city’s most famous access point.The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore is absolutely worth a stop, with its baroque interiors and the famous Baglioni Chapel. This chapel is adorned with a cycle of frescoes by Pinturicchio that depict the Annunciation, the Adoration of the Shepherds, and the Dispute of Jesus with the Doctors.The journey continues to Rasiglia, the “Little Venice of Umbria.” The medieval village is famous in fact for its springs: walking through the picturesque alleys of the center is impossible not to be enchanted by the waterways that cross the town, making it unique and fascinating. Dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Sellano, an ancient medieval village built around a castle in one of the most fascinating and untouched areas of the Umbrian Apennines. Despite numerous earthquakes, this charming village, listed as one of “The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy,” still retains its medieval castle structure. In the historic center, you’ll find significant artistic buildings like the Palazzo Comunale, a 16th-century building with frescoes from that period.
A must-do is crossing the Sellano Tibetan Bridge, which opened on March 23, 2024. It is one of the highest and longest in Europe, at 175 meters high and 517.5 meters long, comparable to Portugal’s Arouca 516. The bridge has uneven steps and spans a void 175 meters above the Vigi River valley. It takes 1,023 steps to cross—an exhilarating and adrenaline-pumping experience!
Once you’ve crossed the bridge, you can visit the Castle of Montesanto, one of the most unique in the area, with a rich history of events, figures, and noble families. While the castle was once completely surrounded by walls, parts of them are still visible today, including traces of the ancient fortress at the top of the village. The original entrance gate also remains, near which you’ll find the small Church of Santa Lucia and the Chapel of the Madonna della Porta.
To return to Sellano, you can either take a scenic 2.5 km panoramic trail or reserve a shuttle. The trail leads to Lake Vigi, a place of great natural beauty. Surrounded by black alders, white willows, water rushes, and rocky slopes with downy oaks and holm oaks, this body of water, with its sheer cliffs and lush greenery, looks like it’s straight out of an enchanted fairy tale. End of services.