Words by Carla Passino
History fills every stone of Spello, an ancient, olive grove-ringed town at the foot of the Subasio mountain, in Umbria. First inhabited by the Umbri, it became a Roman colony in the first century and earned high praise from Caesar himself, who called it “splendidissima colonia Julia” (splendid Julian colony).
Over time, the Romans bequeathed it amphitheatres and defensive walls, towers and arches, temples and sculptures - testament to Spello’s wealth and importance. Later, the Barbarians that swept across Italy during the empire’s twilight inflicted enormous damage on the town, reducing it to a wreck. But the Middle Ages restored Spello’s fortunes, even though the town kept changing hands in the struggle between the Papacy and Umbria’s powerful lords that gripped the region for centuries.
Despite the continual fighting, Spello acquired new walls, which rose thick and high above the Roman foundations; fine frescoed churches, some of which are notable examples of Romanesque architecture; and a jumble of stone houses interspersed with elegant arches, soaring towers and the odd grand palazzo.
Best of all, though, the town drew a great Renaissance painter, Pinturicchio. A friend of the Baglioni family, which ruled over Perugia and, for a time, Spello, he was commissioned to fresco a chapel in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The frescoes, which include Annunciation and Nativity, are reputed to be one of his best works.
Just a short walk from Santa Maria Maggiore and Pinturicchio’s frescoes stands an old townhouse for sale. Laid across three storeys, this stone home has been structurally restored and, currently offered al grezzo, only awaits an owner that will finish it off.
Buyers will have plenty of space to play with - an outline project shows that the property has room for a kitchen, a dining area, a sitting room, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. And with floorings, door and window fittings, and kitchen and bathroom furniture all to choose, this house has scope to become an authentically Umbrian jewel. Even better, it comes with a private courtyard, sheltered by the stone walls of neighbouring homes, which, once paved and planted, could easily provide a verdant haven at the heart of one of the region’s prettiest towns.
The asking price for this property, which is only 30 minutes’drive from Perugia’s international airport, is € 420,000 through Cluttons Italy. For more information, call +39 349 1327177 or visit www.cluttonsitaly.com.
