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In 1155 Spoleto, "munitissima town, defended by one hundred towers" was, according to tradition, destroyed by Frederick Barbarossa and if the various dominations suffered on the one hand brought death and destruction on the other have enriched Spoleto monuments outstanding. Contended then, between the Empire and the Church, was this aggregate by Innocent III in 1198 and definitively in 1247. Funestata conflict between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, was riappacificata by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz (which, in 1359, he started construction work of the splendid Rocca as the seat of Governors of the city); was insured to the Church and made important centre of the Papal States that sent the authoritative governors, among them also Lucrezia Borgia (1499). From the Renaissance onwards Spoleto became progressively from centre to strategic cultural centre, with the foundation of the Ottusi (today Academy Spoleto). Followed by periods of splendor and decadence. During the French occupation, Spoleto was the first capital of the Department of Clitunno and then that of Trasimeno, not so much as a tribute to the historical legacy of Caput Umbriae because, more pragmatically, because of its proximity to mountain areas bordering the Kingdom of Naples, and therefore vulnerable to penetration of brigandage, which allowed easier territorial control. The Restoration (1814) made it a place of papal delegation up to that, September 17, 1860, the troops of General Brignone, Spoleto joined the new Italian state.
 
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Umbria
Perugia