Umbria Antica Festival
The ancient history festival in the heart of Todi
About Umbria Antica Festival
A Journey into the Ancient World in Todi
The Umbria Antica Festival is the major historical education event that enlivens Todi, a splendid medieval town in the province of Perugia, every spring. Founded to bring the general public closer to past civilizations, the festival brings some of the most renowned names in Italian historiography and education to the city, capable of recounting the ancient world with rigor and passion.
Three Days of Conferences, Theatre, and Archaeology
The core of the event consists of free conferences held in the historic palaces of the center, such as the Palazzo del Capitano, dedicated to the Greeks, Romans, Etruscans, and their legacy. Evenings conclude at the theatre, at the Teatro Comunale and the Cinema Teatro Nido dell'Aquila, with ticketed author events.
The program of meetings is complemented by themed guided tours of Todi's archaeological treasures, from the evocative Roman Cisterns to the archaeological section of the Civic Museum, as well as educational treks in the Umbrian landscape.
The Book Fair and Re-enactments
Throughout the festival, the historical Book Fair is set up, a meeting point for enthusiasts and specialized publishers. There are also re-enactments by historical groups like the Legio XXII Primigenia Pia Fidelis, featuring encampments, military and domestic objects, and reconstructions of ancient daily life.
A Festival for the City
Promoted by the Archè Social Promotion Association, the Umbria Antica Festival has become a benchmark event for cultural tourism in Umbria, attracting scholars and curious visitors from all over Italy to Todi.
Umbria Antica Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Umbria Antica Festival had 'The Taste of History' as its central theme, exploring the link between food, power, and civilization in the ancient world. Daytime conferences, free of charge, were held at the Palazzo del Capitano with contributions from scholars such as Maurizio Bettini, Aglaia McClintock, Filippo Coarelli, Luana Toniolo, and Donatella Puliga, on topics ranging from Roman banquets to the archaeology of wine, from Pompeian kitchens to ancient markets. The evenings featured Giuseppe Pastore at the theatre, with a talk on great Olympic achievements, and Dario Fabbri, with 'The Recipe for Power.' There was also space for re-enactments by the Legio XXII Primigenia Pia Fidelis and the Historical Book Fair.
Programme Umbria Antica Festival 2026
Friday, March 27
- 10:45 AM — Maurizio Bettini and Aglaia McClintock, on Ceres and nourishment (Palazzo del Capitano, free admission)
- 11:45 AM — Donatella Puliga, classical texts as nourishment
- 3:00 PM — Free guided tour of the Roman Cisterns (booking required, limited spots)
- 4:00 PM — Filippo Coarelli, the places of the ancient market
- 5:00 PM — Luana Toniolo, culinary stories from Pompeii
- 9:15 PM — Giuseppe Pastore, 'Entering the Myth: The Great Olympic Achievements' (Teatro Nido dell'Aquila, ticketed)
Saturday, March 28
- Morning — free conferences on wine archaeology, ancient flavors, banquets, and luxury in the Roman world
- 3:00 PM — guided tour of the archaeological section of the Civic Museum (booking required, max 40 people)
- 9:15 PM — Dario Fabbri, 'The Recipe for Power' (Teatro Comunale, ticketed)
Sunday, March 29
- 9:00 AM — educational trek in the Olive Grove Park (max 25 participants)
- Morning and afternoon — free conferences on oil, spices, fish preservation, and ancient condiments
For all three days (10:00 AM-1:00 PM and 3:30 PM-7:00 PM): free historical Book Fair; re-enactments and encampment by the Legio XXII Primigenia Pia Fidelis (March 28-29).
Highlights Umbria Antica Festival 2026
Prices Umbria Antica Festival 2026
Practical information — Umbria Antica Festival
How to Get Here
Todi is reachable by car from the E45 (Todi exit). By train, the Todi-Ponte Rio station is connected to the city by public transport. Nearest airport: Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi.
Admissions
Daytime conferences are free admission (it is recommended to arrive 15 minutes early). Evening theatre events are ticketed, available for purchase online via Liveticket. The Book Fair is free.
Bookings
Guided tours of the Roman Cisterns and the Civic Museum require booking at [email protected] (limited spots).
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Where does it take place — Umbria Antica Festival
Centro storico di Todi