This sumptuous volume transports readers to an illustrious region renowned for its art and architecture, and equally blessed with tremendous natural beauty. An isolated area of hills and forests, deep valleys and rolling plains, Umbria has experienced a succession of authority--Romans, Byzantines, Longobards, local seigneurs and, finally, the sovereignty of the Papacy--that has left indelible marks on the very stones of its towns. From the elegant towns of Perugia, Spoleto, and Norcia to the splendor of of Narni, Nocera, and Gubbio, the photographs in this book convey the unmistakable character of the region.Meticulous close-up details of the frescoes at Assisi--certainly the most celebrated religious shrine in Italy--and sweeping wide-angle views of the roaring Falls at Marmore and beautiful Lake Piediluco convey the unsurpassed spiritual, historical, architectural, artistic, and cultural heritage of the area as well as its diverse landscapes. Combined with an insightful, affectionate text by a long-time Tuscan resident and expert, the photographs create a moving portrait of a region with an unmistakable character in which the beauty of nature harmonizes with the eternal works of human genius and inspiration. Armchair travelers and lovers of Italian culture will cherish this pictorial tribute to one of Italy's most fascinating regions.