Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
You can also see the three pagoda-like “candles” carried in the Corsa dei Ceri race
from the city to this church.
Walk up the road across the street from the Basilica to reach the remains of the
Rocca
55
on the mountain peak. The 12th-century fortress and tower is in
ruins, and unremarkable, but the views are spectacular, broken only by the spec-
tacularly ugly framework used for the famed Christmas lighting.
THE OTHER GUBBIO
To get the very best feel for Gubbio, don't just walk by and look at the ceramics—
take a class and make some! The city of Gubbio, in cooperation with Centro
Servizi Santo Spirito (www.inumbriadanordest.com), runs a dozen
single-day
classes,
including ceramics, mosaic- and fresco-making, cooking, and, for the
adventurous, truffle-hunting, hang-gliding, and mountain biking. Costs range
from
€
15 to
€
25 for a 2- to 4-hour crafts course, to
€
65 for a 15-minute hang-
gliding ride. Reservations are required at least a day in advance: Call
%
075-
9220066,
or e-mail info@inumbriadanordest.com.
SHOPPING
Gubbio became famous in the 14th century for its ceramics, and keeps up the tra-
dition today. One shop I recommend is
Rampini
(Via dei Consoli, 52; 075-9274408;
www.rampiniceramiche.com),
which also has a workshop on Via Leonardo da
Vinci, 92, where you can stop by to watch the craftspeople at work. The second-
generation family owner spent years in Brazil, and now gives a bit of a tropical
spin to traditional works. Also recommended is
Mastri Vasai Gubbio
(Via Leonardo
da Vinci, 66;
%
075-9274580),
which has created a unique, antique-looking style
using local materials and a traditional process.
