Gubbio: Geology and History of an Umbrian Municipality
Gubbio, an Umbrian municipality of 30,177 inhabitants, is known for its geology and its ancient history, with geological research and ancient testimonies such as the Gubbio Tablets. The city is located in the extreme east of the province of Perugia, partly bordering the province of Pesaro-Urbino in the Marche.
History and identity
Gubbio was an Umbrian city with the name of Ikuvium or Iguvium, located on the communication routes between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Adriatic. The Eugubine Tablets, discovered around the middle of the 15th century and purchased by the municipality in 1456, constitute an important ritual text. The geology of the area is recognized for the field research of Walter Álvarez and his father Luis, concerning the mass extinction of dinosaurs, called the Alvarez Hypothesis.
What to see
The seven Eugubine Tables, written in the Umbrian language with Umbrian, Latin and Etruscan alphabets, are preserved in the civic museum of the Palazzo dei Consoli. The Bottaccione Gorge preserves the stratigraphic sequences linked to the research of Walter and Luis Álvarez. Mount Ingino, the Camignano and Cavarello streams and the Monte Cucco area complete the geographical interpretation.
Understand the place
Check the opening hours of the civic museum and access to the geological routes before your visit. For Bottaccione, Mount Ingino and the mountain areas, consider weather, differences in altitude, condition of the paths and travel times.
Where to stay
A hotel in the center makes it easier to visit the Palazzo dei Consoli and the routes dedicated to Umbrian history. To reach Bottaccione, Mount Ingino or the area towards Monte Cucco, compare road access, differences in altitude and parking before booking.
Prepare the visit
Times, access conditions and transportation may change. Before the trip, check the official pages linked from the source, protect the heritage and leave the entrances to the homes free. Source in local language.