Trevi, Umbria

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Trevi is an ancient town and comune in Umbria, Italy, in the province of Perugia. Perched on the lower slopes of Mount Serano, it offers wide views over the Clitunno river plain. Trevi is part of the group of charming Italian villages known as I Borghi più belli d'Italia. It sits about 10 km south-southeast of Foligno and 20 km north of Spoleto.

Geography and economy
The Trevi area covers about 71 square kilometers and features three main zones: plain, hills, and mountains. The plain is fertile and well irrigated, the hills are ideal for olive trees and prized olive oil, and the mountains are mostly meadows and forests. The Clitunno River and several smaller waterways shape the landscape. The town’s economy today relies mainly on olive oil and tourism, with some light industry and food processing. Trevi is well connected by rail and road, lying on the Rome–Ancona line and the Florence–Rome line via Perugia, and it is a member of the Cittaslow network.

History and culture
Trevi has roots dating back to ancient Umbrian times. It is mentioned by Pliny the Elder and appears in the Bordeaux Itinerary of the 5th century. In Roman times, the Via Flaminia brought growth to the plain area near Pietrarossa. Trevi was a bishop’s seat until the 11th century, later becoming a Lombard district, a free commune, and frequently aligning with Perugia in regional conflicts. In the 15th century Trevi enjoyed great wealth and was known as “the dry port.” It was one of the first Italian towns to have a printing press (1470). The town preserves Renaissance houses and several notable churches. Museums in Trevi include the Museo S. Francesco, which houses Umbrian paintings from the late Middle Ages to the 17th century, and the Museo della Civiltà dell’Olivo, which explains the olive oil industry. The Trevi Flash Art Museum (Palazzo Lucarini) hosts contemporary art.

Traditions and festivals
Trevi’s patron saint is St. Emilian, celebrated with a night procession on January 27–28. Shrove Tuesday brings a public celebration in the main square, and August features a three-week music festival. In October, the town is especially lively:
- Palio on the first Sunday, a race between Trevi’s three historic districts, or terzieri (Castello, Matiggia, and Piano). A wooden cart weighing about 430 kg is pushed up an 800-meter course through the medieval streets, from Porta Nuova to Piazza del Comune.
- Celery and Sausage Fair (Sagra del Sedano Nero e della Salsiccia) on the third Sunday.
- A historical pageant on the fourth Sunday, depicting episodes from Trevi’s medieval past.

Ottobre Trevano is the broader October festival featuring historical reenactments, markets, performances, and Cantinette—small taverns offering Umbrian dishes and local wines, including Trevi’s renowned olive oil, black celery, and sausage. The celebrations highlight Trevi’s heritage, community spirit, and regional foods.

Today Trevi remains a convenient base for exploring central Umbria, attracting visitors with its olive oil, historic center, good restaurants, and accessible rail and road connections.