At the foothill of the Ingino Mountain rises the ancient medieval town of Gubbio. Like Deruta, Gubbio is known for its majolica ceramics. Gubbio was founded by the Umbrians in the 3rd century b.C. before becoming a Roman city in the 1st-century a.C. In the 11th century, the city gained its independence and has had its times of glory during the Middle Ages. In this city, you really feel as if time stood still: the Roman and medieval remains give the city a very special atmosphere.

Gubbio ceramics

Views over the roofs in Gubbio

Attractions in Gubbio

In Gubbio there are many historical buildings and the Palazzo dei Consoli dominates the city. The Via dei Consoli is the main street with many shops that show old crafts and sell ceramics.

Gubbio undoubtedly has the reputation of being the gastronomic destination of Umbria. Many restaurants in the historical center serve traditional homemade dishes based on truffles, beans, and dried ham. With a glass of Umbrian white wine on a terrace or at a restaurant with a relaxing garden, you’ll surely feel like being in heaven.

On the main square, the Piazza Grande, is the Palazzo dei Consoli and the views from the square are one of the most charming aspects of Gubbio. The wide views over the medieval houses and countryside are wonderful. From a distance, just outside the town, you can see the Roman amphitheater. The Roman amphitheater is in a park where many concerts and other cultural events are organized.

Palazzo dei Consoli in Gubbio

Palazzo dei Consoli in Gubbio

To do in Gubbio

Visiting Gubbio is a discovery trail you can really only do on foot. Walk through the narrow alleys and the steep slopes of the historical center to fully enjoy the medieval atmosphere. Up and down the town centre there are numerous shops and cosy terraces.

Fiat 500 in Gubbio

Roman Theatre

The Roman Theatre was built from local limestone in the late 1st century BC. There’s always free entrance and during summer open-air performances are organized. The stairs in the theatre are still intact and offer a place for spectators of the festival.

The Palazzo dei Consoli

The entrance of the museum of the Palazzo dei Consoli is at the Piazza Grande where often temporary exhibitions are displayed. On the first and second floor of the palazzo, medieval collections have taken up permanent residency. The seven Iguvine bronze tables are the highlights of your visit to the museum. They date back to 300-100 BC and were discovered close to the Roman theatre. Each bronze table is engraved with long liturgical texts in the Umbrian language, which has now disappeared, and in Latin. It is the longest liturgical text from antique Italy.

For further information about the museum visit the website.

Palazzo dei Consoli in Gubbio

The Christmas Tree

Since 1981, a group of volunteers from Gubbio each year prepare the biggest Christmas tree in the world. On the slopes of Mount Ingino, a tree of more than 650 meters with over 800 colorful lights and a star on top doesn’t go unnoticed. Therefore, the Christmas Tree of Gubbio entered the Guinness Book of Records as “The World’s largest Christmas Tree”.  Every year on the eve of the Immaculate Conception on December 7th, the Christmas tree is lit by an important Italian political figure or even by the pope. The tree remains visible during the holiday season.

Sant’Ubaldo Church

At the top of Mount Ingino is the Sant’Ubaldo church. Sant’Ubaldo is the patron saint of Gubbio. The church is open every day.

From the center, it is a considerable climb of about 40 minutes. For those who prefer not to walk there also is a cable lift that brings you up. The views from here are outstanding and it is especially fun for children: it is a standing lift with small gondolas.

In the church is the embalmed body of the patron Saint Sant’Ubaldo at the main altar. On your right-hand side, you’ll find the 3 famous ceri -wooden candles- used for the Festa dei Ceri. The three statues of the saints are in the church of San Francesco della Pace “the Masons”.

From Mount Ingino, the views over the Umbrian landscape are outstanding. There’s a restaurant and a bar close to the church from where you can relax and enjoy the panorama views. The restaurant is open only in the summer season.

Hiking path uphill in Gubbio

Sant’Ubaldo church in Gubbio

Saint Ubaldo church

The 3 Ceri in Gubbio

The Ceri Festival

The Festa dei Ceri

Every year on the 15th of May is the Festa dei Ceri. This event involves the whole town of Gubbio and is in honor of the local patron saint Ubaldo. The Festa dei Ceri and the Corsa dei Ceri is a religious procession. 

The three heavy wooden ceri are surmounted by statues of St. Ubaldo (Patron of the Masons: yellow), San Giorgio (protector of Merchants: blue), and Sant’Antonio Abate (Patron Saint of Farmers and now also of students: black). The weight of each Ceri is about 300-400 kg. All participants wear colorful clothes, and they carry the wooden statues (ceri) of their saints through the city up Mount Ingino and into the basilica where the ceri remain until the following May.

If you’d want to attend this spectacle, make sure to be early to have a good spot to view the race.

The 3 Ceri in Gubbio