Rasiglia, Italy: Explore Little Venice of Umbria

Things to do in Rasiglia, Italy 

1. Stroll the Medieval Streets

Rasiglia was one of the most peaceful towns we visited in Umbria; walking among the stone buildings and the adjoining small canals was so magical. Occasionally, on the sides of buildings, we spotted old photographs and paintings showcasing what life used to look like.

2. Powermills & Waterways of Rasiglia

The main reason we visited Rasiglia was its unique water system. Nourished by the Menotre River, the streams of green-blue water flow like a spider’s web through the town; as we were walking, we felt almost as if the village was floating on water!

There are torrents, pools, small dams, and even waterfalls, all of which were historically used to power mills, wool factories, and washhouses.

• The old stone mill: Locals used to produce and mill flour and wheat here. We visited the museum inside, where old milling and grinding tools are on display.
• The former wool mill; from inside, we had a great view over the water basin of Pescaia. 
• The Lavatory was another highlight. Here, you can see exactly how Rasiglia used water in the past.

3. Visit the Sanctuary

We walked 10 minutes south from the center of town (about 1 KM) to the beautiful Sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie (Our Lady of Grace). Built in the 15th century, it sits alongside the Fosso Terminara, a branch of the Menotre River.

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According to legend, the people of Rasiglia found the statue of the Lady in a small stream, which led to the creation of the sanctuary. Inside, we admired several impressive frescoes and stone carvings. It’s not a must-see, but it’s a nice stop if you have some time!

4. Join an Event

In Rasiglia, there are two noteworthy festivals. We visited in May, so we missed both!

• Penelope a Rasiglia (9th and 10th of June) is a local weaving festival. There are sheep shearing, wool dyeing, and weaving workshops, as well as theater, music, and art. 

• Christmas Nativity (December). During this event, the villagers build a Christmas nativity scene, and welcome you dressed in the clothes of their trade, from carpenters and washerwomen to blacksmiths and shoemakers.

Where to Stay

We stayed at Borgobrufa in Brufa, a beautiful resort with a pool overlooking the countryside (super relaxing after a day of sightseeing!), which is about a 40-minute drive from Rasiglia.

We saw a few accommodation options dotted around Rasiglia, either in the village or close to it (see all hotels). But there are also some beautiful hotels in the neighboring town of Foligno.

Our favorite hotels in Rasiglia 😴

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Residence Menotre

Rasiglia

Guesia Village Hotel

Rasiglia

See available hotels in Rasiglia

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Check available hostels

How to Get to Rasiglia, Italy

Rasiglia is about a 40-minute drive from Assisi, and 50 minutes from Perugia. We found it to be the perfect stop for the morning while exploring Umbria. We only visited for an hour or two, which is plenty to get a feel for its history. 

We arrived in our rental car and realized there’s no parking inside the tiny village. However, we did find plenty of spaces in the parking lot just along the main road (here’s the location).

Note: Umbria doesn’t have the best public transport system; it’s possible to travel by bus from other cities, but it may take a couple of hours and multiple connections.

Best Time to Visit 

We visited in May, when the weather was nice, the landscape vibrant, and the crowds not too big — and it was perfect. Because Rasiglia is very small, we only needed an hour or so to explore the entire village.

Tip: It’s very popular with local Italians on the weekends, so we recommend visiting on weekdays to see it at its most peaceful.