Todi

Todi is a small hilltown (pop. ~17,000) in Umbria . It overlooks the east bank of the river Tiber, and is both impressive from a distance and has impressive views from its centre. Both the town centre and the outskirts have fascinating buildings. As a town it began to boom after becoming a free commune in the 1200s and many of its interesting buildings date from that time. 

See

• ⊙Piazza del Popolo (People’s Square). contains most of the major sights. It was built on top of Roman cisterns, many of which remained in use until the 1920s.
• ⊙Cathedral. It is an impressive Gothic building said to be erected over an ancient Roman temple. The current church was rebuilt after a fire in 1190. The main feature of the façade is the great rose-window, which was added in the 16th century. The church follows the plan of the Latin cross, with a nave and two aisles. There is a giant fresco depicting the Universal Judgment by Ferraù Faenzone. The choir includes the Gothic altar and a wooden choir-enclosure with two floors.
• ⊙Palazzo del Popolo (Communal Palace). It was already existing in 1213 and is one of the most ancient communal palaces in Italy. It houses the city's Art Gallery.
• ⊙Palazzo del Capitano. It was built around 1293 and named "New Communal Palace" to differentiate it from the first one.
• ⊙Palazzo dei Priori. On the southern side of the Piazza, facing the Cathedral. It was begun in 1293.
• ⊙Palazzo Vescovile. To the left of the Cathedral, this Bishop's Palace was built in 1593.

Away from Piazza del Popolo are to be found:

• ⊙Church of San Fortunato. It was begun in 1292 but work was interrupted by the plague of 1348 and the façade has never been completed. It has some interesting artwork. Piazza del Popolo is constructed on one of the two crests of Todi’s hill: San Fortunato on the other. (updated Jan 2016)
• ⊙Santa Maria della Consolazione. It is considered to be the most impressive of Todi’s churches. It is to be found just outside the city walls. The altar houses an image of the Madonna, which, according to the tradition, was discovered by a worker during the early construction.
• From the nearby ⊙Monastero delle Lucrezie you have a nice view of the town.