Umbria, `the Green Heart of Italy`, is a fascinating region of Etruscan & Roman monuments, medieval castles & cathedrals, & the Renaissance art of Giotto, Perugino & the young Raphael. Everywhere, vibrant cities, evocative hill-towns & tranquil villages are set amid glorious landscapes. This superb cultural guide makes the perfect traveller`s companion. Ian Campbell Ross tells the story of Umbria from the days of the ancient Umbri, a thousand years before Christ, through to the unification of Italy & up to the present day. He shows how Etruscans, Romans, early Christians & Longobards all left their mark, & how powerful city-states like Perugia, Spoleto & Orvieto, as well as smaller towns & villages, took pride in cultural achievements visitors still enjoy. St. Francis & his followers transformed Assisi into a spiritual centre embracing one of the greatest collections of late medieval & early Renaissance art & architecture in Europe. This thoroughly revised edition, newly illustrated, provides a compelling narrative along with chapters on the region`s art & the local food & wine.A gazetteer gives visitors full details of what to see in the cities, hill-towns & mountain & lakeside villages of one of Italy`s most beautiful regions.