 The first settlements date back to the Bronze Age, the discovery of two gold discs providing evidence of the earliest known goldsmith’s work in Italy. Roman Tadinum rose from the plain along the Flaminian Way, from the 5th century. Impoverished as a result of the Barbarian invasions of 996, the survivors founded a new settlement with the name of Gualdo (Wald=wood). Gualdo Tadino is famous for its Rocchetta water, its woods and meadows, and its splendid lustrous ceramics.
The town is situated about 50 kms from Perugia; it is dominated by the Apennine chain described by Dante in the eleventh canto of “Paradise” as “the heavy yoke”, and offers an unspoilt environment full of mountain springs and natural beauty. The historical centre, though devastated by various earthquakes, has some striking civic and religious buildings. The Town Hall stands on Piazza Martiri della Libertà;
 as do the 13th century town Tower, the imposing Gothic church of San Francesco (end of the 13th century) and the cathedral: the Basilica of San Benedetto (1251) with its Romanesque-Gothic façade. The majestic “Flea” fortress, an example of military architecture, was rebuilt in about 1242 by Federico II, and is now used as the Municipal Museum of Ceramics.
 Each year in the last week of September, the town’s four Gateways, which represent the whole town, meet each other on the playing fields. The contests? Shooting with bows and slings, and contests of bare-back racing and cart dragging with a donkey. The ass is without doubt the most charming and engaging aspect of the event, a symbol of the “harshness” of the land, and the “tenacity” of the people of Gualdo. Enormous interest is excited by the costumes of thousands of figures in the historical parade made up of priors, guild masters, magistrates, standard-bearers, drummers, knights’ ladies, commoners, representatives of the “corporations”, archers, slingshot marksmen, and soldiers (charioteers, brakemen, riders and naturally mule drivers).
For information:
Ufficio Cultura (Office for Culture)
Piazza Martiri della Libertà
06023 -Gualdo Tadino (PG)
Tel. 0759150248
Ufficio Sviluppo e Promozione Economica
(Office for Economic Promotion and Development)
Piazzale dei Giardini
06023 – Gualdo Tadino (PG) www.umbriaonline.com/gualdotadino.phtml |
