SPOLETO, ITALY
SPOLETO, ITALY
Spoleto is an ancient town located in the heart of Italy and selected in 2008 as Charleston's first Sister Cities partner as a result of Charleston's Spoleto Festival USA. 
Spoleto is an attractive destination all-year-round, a peaceful hill-town with a fine cathedral, interesting sights and pleasant walks. It’s surrounded by hills, olive groves and vineyards. Dating from the 12th century, Spoleto Cathedral has a porticoed facade embellished by a mosaic. Inside is a cycle of frescoes by the medieval artist Filippo Lippi. The National Archaeological Museum complex displays items from the Bronze Age and Roman times. It also includes the restored Roman Theater.

But it is during June and July that Spoleto comes to life. The Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of Two Worlds) takes over the historic town centre, with high-quality performing arts events taking place throughout Spoleto. Churches, piazzas and theatres are turned into festival venues, the streets are thronged and accommodation is fully-booked.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SPOLETO, ITALY
Spoleto Festival USA was founded in 1977 by Italian Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti, Christopher Keene, and others who sought to create an American counterpart to their annual Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy. Looking for a city that would provide the charm of Spoleto as well as its wealth of theaters, churches and other performances spaces, they selected Charleston as the ideal location.

The historic city provided a perfect fit: intimate enough that the festival would captivate the entire city, yet cosmopolitan enough to provide an enthusiastic audience and robust infrastructure.
2015 Spoleto Mayor Fabrizo Cardarelli, CSCI President & CEO, Neita Wiese
Charleston City Hall During 
Spoleto Festival, 
USA
The College of Charleston, 2017 Spoleto Study Abroad Program
Share by: