Umbrian Spirituality

This landlocked region of Central Italy is named after the Umbri tribe, who settled in the region during the 6th century . Invasions by the Etruscans and then the Romans followed. Nearly a millennium later, like other areas of Italy, Umbria suffered hardship with the fall of the Roman Empire. The struggle between barbarians and Byzantines created a power vacuum that began to be filled by Christianity, and by the 4th century, Christian bishops became the cultural and spiritual figureheads of the region. This is the home of St Francis of Assisi, St Scholastica and many other holy men and women. The area became a centre of learning, due to the number of Franciscan and Benedictine monasteries, and the respected University of Perugia was established in 1308.