Planning a Trip

Getting There

By Train -- Unless you're coming from Umbria, the train is not an option. Sansepolcro anchors one end of the private FCU train line, with about 20 trains daily from Perugia (80 min.-2 hr.). Seven trains a day run from Rome to Terni, where you can switch to this FCU line (3 1/2 hr. total if you hit the layover right). The station (tel. 0575-742-094) is just outside the city walls at Piazza Battisti.

By Car -- Sansepolcro lies where the SS73 from Arezzo intersects with the SS3bis from Perugia. You can park outside Porta Fiorentina along Viale Vittorio Veneto to the east, or north outside Porta del Castello.

By Bus -- CAT buses (tel. 0575-736-083 or 0575-85-211) arrive and leave at the traffic circle off Via G. Marconi (at the west end of Via Aggiunti). Buses serve Arezzo (1 hr.), Florence (1 1/2 hr.), Monterchi (25 min.), and Caprese Michelangelo (40-75 min.). Buy tickets at the Bar Autostazione on the piazza.

Visitor Information

The helpful tourist office is inside the Palazzo Pretorio at Piazza Garibaldi 2, 52037 Sansepolcro (tel./fax 0575-740-536; www.sansepolcro.net; daily 9:30am-1pm and 3:30-6:30pm).

Festivals & Markets

On the second Sunday in September, the Palio della Balestra allows Sansepolcro a crossbow rematch with its traditional rivals from Gubbio. This medieval test of archery skill is highlighted with a display from Sansepolcro's famous sbandieratori (flag tossers). They perform their medieval act of juggling colorful banners dressed in Renaissance costumes lifted straight from Piero paintings. Call tel. 0575-75-827, or visit www.balestrierisansepolcro.it for more info. A huge market is held after the fourth Sunday of Lent, and August 16 is a more low-key local festival in honor of San Rocco.