That towering feeling

Off the sacristy at the rear of the church, 3 flights of stairs totaling 106 steps rise to the highest view in town: the steeple of San Fortunato. Patterned after the Campanile of the Franciscan's mother church in Assisi,^[40] this is a fine example of Umbrian Romanesque design.

Although first mentioned in the church records in 1328,^[40] the tower was not finished until 1460.  The largest of its 5 bells is named after Todi's weird native-son Jacopone and weighs about 3000 pounds.^[32] We were told that this also serves as the transmitting point for mobile phone service in the area. We stayed for two weeks about 50 yards from this site and had great connections.

Church Views

Santa Maria della Consolazione

Looking southwest from the steeple, we see Todi's other famous church: Santa Maria della Consolazione built between 1509 and 1607. It's Greek-cross shape and renaissance domes rise in the Umbrian autumn color.

Duomo and the Bishop's palace (Palazzo Vescovado)

The third significant church in this town of many churches is the Duomo or cathedral with the Bishop's palace (Palazzo Vescovado) extending to its west.

Church of the Holy Cross

A last view of a church. This one is not in the same league as the big three:

Looking east from the steeple: another (but lesser known) Greek Cross church which we found closed when we tried to visit).  The church of the Holy Cross (Crocifisso) was commisioned in 1591.  It's about 300 yards from the town walls on a site where a painting of the Crucifixion was used to comfort those condemned to die.^[83] 

Here's a typical view from the San Fortunato's steeple: in the foreground clusters the old town with tile roofs, constrained by the medieval walls at the fall-colored treeline. Down the hill is the modern town with shingle roofs and more spacious construction. In the distance stretch the fertile Umbrian countryside towards a bit of Italy's purple mountain majesty.

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