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The name Todi perhaps means "border" ("tutere") or "tutus" ("hill-top fortified place"). Nobody knows for sure how Todi was founded, infact a legend tells about its foundation..."Tutero, chief of the people of the valley of the Tiber, decided to build a village near the river. One day the future Tuderti (inhabitants of Todi) were sitting on a table-cloth and eating something, suddenly an eagle seized the table-cloth, soared and then dropped it onto the top of the nearby hill. People considered the incident as a warning sign of the gods and built town of Todi on top of that hill".
History tells that Todi was founded by the Umbrians in 2700 b.C.; the Etruscans and then the Romans left us magnificent traces of their civilization. In 88 b.C. Marco Crasso stripped the town of its art treasures. With the fall of the Roman Empire Todi was sacked by the Goths, Greeks and Lombards. In this period the town was helped by Bishop St.Fortunato.
The Middle Ages marked the beginning of the notorious struggle between Todi and the town of Orvieto. In the 12th century Todi became a free city-state and it had widened its borders very much.
In 1326 was born the most famous Tuderte, Jacopone da Todi, he was one of the first dialectal poets in Italy.
In 1500, after a long period of decay, the old splendour returned following the innovative and artistic forces of Renaissance period; a magnificient witness is the Temple of the Consolazione; Bishop Angelo Cesi boosted this revolutionary process with numerous beautiful architectural works.
The visit can begin from the beautiful Tempio di Santa Maria della Consolazione, at the beginning of the city. Going towards centre of the town, walking past the public gardens, you will see the Tempio di San Fortunato. Back to the temple, you will reach the Parco della Rocca. Then come back to the temple and go on along Via Mazzini and you will see on your right the Teatro Comunale. Going furthermore you will reach the marvellous Piazza del Popolo where you can see: Palazzo del Popolo, Palazzo del Capitano, Palazzo dei Priori, Duomo. Under Piazza del Popolo it is possible to admire the Roman Cisterns. From the square, going down Corso Cavour there is the Fontana Cesia. Going on you can see Porta Marzia. On the next corner, on the left, you will find the Nicchioni Romani. Going on this way you will reach the Chiesa di San Carlo and then the Fontana di Scarnabecco and even the Chiesa di Santa Prassede. Follow the same street back to Corso Cavour, go down and turn on the right to see the Chiesa di Santa Maria in Cammuccia. At the end of the slope rises the Porta Amerina. From here, take the main road and you will arrive before Porta Romana. Out of the city walls, there is the Tempio del Crocifisso. From Porta Romana, along the main road, there is Porta Perugina and then the massive remains of Porta Orvietana. Here there is a long tree-lined avenue that leads to the Convento di Montesanto.
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