Todi - San Nicolò de Criptis

Todi was founded by the Umbri, in the 8th-7th century BC. The settlement on top of a mountain was named "Tutere", what meant "border", as it was located on the frontier with the Etruscans` area. It was conquered by the Romans in 217 BC and changed the name to Tuder.

Christianity reached Todi very early and already in the 2nd century a bishop resided here. The Ostrogoths took the town after a siege and in 759 the Longobards followed. After negotiation between Pope Paul I and Desiderius, last King of the Lombards and Charlemagne´s father in law, Todi became incorporated into the Duchy of Rome.

In 771 Charlemagne had the marriage annulled. Soon after he attacked and defeated Desiderius, assumed the title King of the Lombards (774) and disposed of his ex-father in law, who lived the rest of his life in the abbey of Corbie.

During medieval times Todi was surrounded by thick walls and strong fortifications of which many still exist today. Just behind the city gate stands "San Nicolò de Criptis". The first church here was built on the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre in 1093. The building of today dates to the 15th century.