The town's name derives from the Lombard/Germanic word "wald" (wooded area). Municipality in the province of Perugia, located on a spur next to a plain area, whose territories are heterogeneous, composed of mountain, hilly and plain land areas. The main center still preserves beautiful sections of medieval walls and of particular interest are in the nearby the scenic districts of Rocchetta, San Guido and Valsorda. Gualdo is not only famous for the production of ceramics, but also for the salubrious properties of its mineral waters, bottled and sold Worldwide.
Originally the area was inhabited by the Umbrians (an ancient Italic population). Subsequently colonized by the Romans, it became an important "municipium" near the Via Flaminia. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the town was ransacked by the Goths and submitted serious damage. In 552 A. D. , the surrounding territories were scenario of Battle of Tagina between Goths and Byzantines, which ended with the latter victorious. Subsequently the town submitted the Lombard rule, until it was destroyed by the Emperor Otto III and a later by a devastating fire. In the Middle Ages, a new center was founded in the first half of the XIII century, around a large Benedictine Church. Contended between Gubbio and Perugia, the town was assigned to the latter, until in the XV century it became a possession of the Papal States.
Attractions:
- the Cathedral, dedicated to St. Benedict, was erected in the XIII century. Preceded by a staircase, it features a Gothic façade with three portals and a rose window. Inside it proposes a three nave plan and an altar dating from the XIV century and outside, a fountain of the XVI century, produced by the artist Sangallo the Elder;
- the Church of San Francesco with its elegant façade portal, features a single nave plan and preserves within frescoes by Matteo da Gualdo. At present the building houses the Municipal Art Gallery;
- the Church of Santa Maria, which houses a famous triptych of Matteo da Gualdo and a XV century wooden crucifix;
- the XIII century Church of Santa Chiara;
- the Rocca (fortress) of Flea, of ancient origins, which was rebuilt by Frederick II in the XIII century and later renovated and enlarged between the Xiv and XV centuries. It is located on a hill top in a dominant position, overlooking the town's main centre;
- the Municipal Art Gallery, which contains several important artworks by various artists;
- the Archaeological excavations, with finds that date back to Roman times;
- the Palazzo of the Podestà and the Civic Tower.