Piazza del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo is a beautiful square in Spoleto, filled with interesting buildings, palaces, churches and places of culture. Descending the stairs to reach the square, flanked on the right by buildings of the 16th century, with the Cathedral of Spoleto in front, is like entering a grandiose scene.

The highlight of the square is, without doubt, the wonderful Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, or Duomo di Spoleto, built at the end of the 12th century. In the square, we can also find the Church of Santa Maria della Manna d’Oro and the Parish of Santa Maria Nella Cattedrale.

Another interesting building is Palazzo Racani Arroni, built in the early 16th century, lining the right side of the stairs that descend to the cathedral, displaying a grey facade embellished by extraordinary but ruined graffiti.

Another 16th century palace is Casa Menotti, the home of Giancarlo Menotti, composer, screenwriter and creator of the Festival dei Due Mondi. Today, the palace is hosting a small museum of about 160 square meters, managed by the Monini Foundation in collaboration with the municipality of Spoleto and the Festival dei Due Mondi Foundation.

In the square, we can find the beautiful Teatro Caio Melisso, an old opera house and one of the most elegant theaters in Italy, one of the main venues of the Festival dei Due Mondi.

HOW TO GET THERE

Piazza del Duomo is located 1.5 kilometers away from the Spoleto Train Station. The closest bus station is Piazza Campello, on the bus route MSP0D, about 200 meters away from the square.

To get to the square, you can also use the escalator from Via Ponzianina, close to the intersection with Vicolo del Quartiere, getting off in front of the Cathedral. The most interesting is, however, to discover the city on foot and, if you need a map, you could use the one below.