Day 8 – Some Sights Outside of Perugia

Monday, July 9th

We were originally scheduled to go to the Perugina Chocolate Factory today, but due to miscommunication, our tour was pushed back a day. Instead, I decided to take a day to see some sights outside of Perugia. After research, I found Gubbio to be a nice destination. Only about an hour out of Perugia, Gubbio is a beautifully kept medieval town. I ended up going with Soon and Jane (she left Jason back with the boys).

Gubbio is much smaller and quainter than Perugia is. It also is a lot hillier and there are two elevators available to enable visitors to see all the sites without getting exhausted from the trek! For some strange reason, though very empty and quiet, Gubbio seemed to have a lot more tourist information and little trinkets than did Perugia. The map was very helpful and really pointed out places of interest. With only a day, though, we picked the top attractions.

The Piazza Grande was exactly what you’d expect – GRANDE! Positioned between two buildings, one being the Palazzo delle Priori, the Piazza is huge and acts as a balcony, allowing one to see the magnificent view below. One great thing about Gubbio is that no matter where one ventures to, the view is gorgeous!

Marina and Soon overlooking Gubbio

The main excitement of the day was making our way up to the Basilica of San Ubaldo. Saint Ubaldo is the patron saint of Gubbio, and every May 15th there is a festival in his honor. Men race up the steep mountain to the Basilica to where he is entombed. Now, when I mention his tomb, it’s not the same kind of tomb that Saint Francis is buried in. Saint Ubaldo was taken from his underground tomb and raised on a high alter. He is mummified and encased in a glass casket for all to see! How creepy is that???

To get up the mountain there are two options: walk or be lifted. Now, taking a hint from my last hiking excursion, I thought the lift a better idea. It was pretty scary! We had to quickly jump into these cages (they looked like bird cages!) and stand while we were carried all the way to the top. The lift was such a blessing because from it, we could see the path we would have been walking – not fun! Right outside of the city walls (if only towns in the States had old Roman/Medieval walls!) was a Roman Amphitheatre. It was located just next to a kiddy park, and we were permitted to roam the steps and everything for 3 Euros, but I was tired, so I just sat and enjoyed the historical view.

I even got back to Perugia in time for master class! I didn’t stay long because Maxim wanted to take me to the music school so I could hear some music that he had composed. I can’t believe a boy, so crazy one minute, can compose himself the next to create beautiful music!

Day 8 Fun Tidbits:

• Soon snuck a picture of me sleeping on the bus ride home from Gubbio!
• According to more research, there seem to be more mummified bodies in Gubbio… where???
• Dinner at ENONE – home of the delicious chocolate soufflé! (I had tasty ravioli!)

Also read…
Day 7 – Trip to Assisi!
Day 9 – To the Chocolate Factory We Went!
Great Neck Music Conservatory Visits Italy!