The beautiful town frozen in time that's like a 'mini Rome' without the crowds

Gubbio is a charming destination that offers a fascinating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, making it a must-visit for travellers exploring the Umbria region of Italy.

By Astha Saxena, News Reporter

A street in Gubbio after the passage of the Ceri

Even though it's the oldest town in Umbria, Gubbio stays remarkably well-kept (Image: Getty)

A beautiful renowned for its Roman ruins and medieval architecture looks like a “mini Rome” but without the . Gubbio, a charming in ’s verdant region of Umbria transports visitors back in time.

The ancient town is recognised as one of Italy's biggest and most well-kept medieval towns.

With origins dating back to 1000 AD, it holds a significant spot in the nation's history and features old sites and a captivating heritage.

Even though it's the oldest in Umbria, Gubbio stays remarkably well-kept. Visitors can see buildings that have stood for hundreds, maybe even thousands, of years all around town.

In fact, there is a Roman theatre here, dating back to around 20BC, which was the second largest in the Roman Empire during Emperor Augustus’ reign.

Gubbio

Gubbio is famous for its traditional Festival of Ceri, held annually on May 15th (Image: Getty Images)

The remains of Gubbio’s Roman Theater can still be seen on the outskirts of town.

Don't miss landmarks like the Palazzo dei Consoli and the Duomo di Gubbio which is immensely popular among the travellers who have been here.

One can also explore the collections housed in the Palazzo dei Consoli, including artifacts from Gubbio's history, archaeological finds, and works of art.

As Gubbio isn't as well-known as other cities in Italy's central area, tourists can enjoy exploring its historical sites without the usual crowds.

Gubbio

Gubbio has a long and storied history dating back to ancient times (Image: Getty Images)

This is a special opportunity considering how popular Italy is among travelers worldwide.

The historical town is more than accessible to visit when in central Italy, as it is located roughly an hour away from Perugia by car, and around 2 hours away from Florence.

Both of these nearby cities can be easily reached via direct flights from several airlines across London airports, as well as from wider Europe.

A travel expert has called it a “historic marvel”. Ed Maughan, the Managing Director of GroupAccommodation.com, shares that the town is a “historic marvel that is brimming with impressive ancient sites” and leaves visitors in awe as they explore its winding brick-paved streets.

Table set with food ready for preparation for celebrations outdoors

The pretty city is rich with culture (Image: Getty)

Another unique part of the town is its scary “bird cage” cable car known as the Funivia. One can start their journey from the Basilica di Sant’Ubaldo on Monte Ingino, a spot referenced by Dante in his 11th-century writing.

The cable cars for two people are always in motion, so you will need to move quickly to catch one for your descent to the town.

Calling it a "unique" town, travellers have been left by its charming beauty.

One wrote on TripAdvisor: "We were staying at a resort nearby and drove to Gubbio for the day. A small town, but very upscale. Apparently, the wealth is held by a few families. One of them makes cement and has factories around the world. Don’t miss the caged ride to the top for a great view."

A second user shared: "Being able to orient myself to Gubbio. Beautiful medieval city. Very informative. Train ran continuously over the course of the day."

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