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Piazza Filippo Silvestri, 06031 Bevagna PG, Italy (September 2020)

Bevagna is a picturesque medieval town located in the heart of Umbria, central Italy, celebrated for its rich history, artistic heritage, and tranquil atmosphere. Nestled in the rolling hills of the Umbrian Valley, not far from Assisi, Spello, and Montefalco, Bevagna offers visitors an authentic glimpse into traditional Italian life. Unlike many of its hilltop neighbours, Bevagna lies on the plain, which gives it a unique and open character while still preserving the charm of its ancient walls and cobbled streets. The town’s origins date back to Roman times, when it was known as Mevania, a thriving settlement along the ancient Via Flaminia. Today, Bevagna stands as a living testament to centuries of cultural evolution, where Roman remains blend seamlessly with medieval architecture and Renaissance influences.

At the heart of Bevagna lies Piazza Silvestri, one of the most beautiful squares in all of Umbria. Surrounded by impressive buildings such as the Church of San Michele Arcangelo and the Church of San Silvestro, both fine examples of Romanesque architecture, the square embodies the town’s historic spirit. The Palazzo dei Consoli, another striking landmark, houses a small theatre and offers views that capture the essence of Bevagna’s charm. Walking through the streets, visitors encounter artisan workshops, family-run restaurants, and quiet corners that seem untouched by time.

Bevagna is also famous for its deep connection to craftsmanship and local traditions. Each year, the town hosts the Mercato delle Gaite, a remarkable medieval festival that transforms Bevagna into a living history museum. During this event, residents recreate daily life from the Middle Ages, complete with costumes, crafts, and authentic food. Artisans demonstrate ancient skills such as paper-making, candle-making, and weaving, allowing visitors to step directly into the past.

Beyond its history, Bevagna is surrounded by the serene beauty of the Umbrian countryside. Vineyards, olive groves, and sunflower fields stretch in every direction, producing wines and olive oils that are among the finest in Italy. The local cuisine is simple yet full of flavour, featuring handmade pasta, truffles, legumes, and seasonal vegetables prepared according to traditional recipes. Bevagna captivates those who seek authenticity, beauty, and a slower rhythm of life. With its harmonious blend of history, culture, and landscape, it remains one of Umbria’s most enchanting and timeless destinations, offering a true taste of Italy’s soul.

Worth a Visit

Photo 8, Photos taken in Parrocchia S. Francesco in Acqui Terme, Italy May 2022

The Chiesa di San Francesco in Bevagna stands serenely at the highest point of this picturesque Umbrian town, embodying a harmonious blend of historic faith, Franciscan simplicity, and later Baroque elegance. Built in 1275 atop an oratory originally dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, the church occupies a site once used for a Roman temple, emphasizing its spiritual centrality through the ages. Its exterior manifests classic early Franciscan restraint, marked by a gabled façade and a dignified polystyle marble portal with foliated capitals. A slender bell tower nearby hints at later medieval additions, but overall, the exterior honours the austere tradition of the mendicant order.

Photo 8, Photos taken in Parrocchia S. Francesco in Acqui Terme, Italy May 2022

Piazza Filippo Silvestri, commonly known as Piazza Silvestri, is the historical and architectural heart of Bevagna, nestled in the Umbrian landscape. Embodying a vivid tableau of medieval urban life, its layout dates to the 12th – 13th centuries and unfolds with a deliberate irregularity that evokes the organic evolution of the town it anchors. Originally named for King Umberto I, the square was renamed in 1949 in honour of Filippo Silvestri, a native entomologist renowned for pioneering work in agricultural pest control, honoring both a local son and global scientific accomplishments. At nearly the centre of the piazza stood an octagonal cistern that provided water through the medieval period; this was replaced in 1896 by the neomedieval fountain that blends harmoniously with the surrounding architecture.

Photo Gallery of Walk in Bevagna – Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi to Corso Amendola
Approximately 0.72 km – 0.45 miles

The walk starts in Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi – Chiesa di San Francesco, Vicolo S. Francesco – Vicolo S. Francesco – Piazza S,Francesco – Corso Giacomo Matteotti – Piazza Filippo Silvestri – Corso Amendola – Piazza dell’Asilo – Via S. Maria – Corso Amendola