Spoleto (Latin Spoletium) is an ancient city in the Italian province of Perugia in east central Umbria on a foothill of the Apennines. It is 20 km (12 mi) S. of Trevi, 29 km (18 mi) N. of Terni, 63 km (39 mi) SE of Perugia; 212 km (132 mi) SE of Florence; and 126 km (78 mi) N of Rome.

History

Spoleto was situated on the eastern branch of the Via Flaminia, which forked into two roads at Narni and rejoined at Forum Flaminii, near Foligno. An ancient road also ran hence to Nursia. The Ponte Sanguinario of the 1st century BCE still exists. The Forum lies under today's marketplace.

Located at the head of a large, broad valley, surrounded by mountains, Spoleto has long occupied a strategic geographical position. It appears to have been an important town to the original Umbri tribes, who built walls around their settlement in the 5th century BCE, some of which are visible today.

The first historical mention of Spoletium is the notice of the foundation of a colony there in 241 BCE; and it was still, according to Cicerocolonia latina in primis firma et illustris: a Latin colony in 95 BCE. After the Battle of Lake Trasimene (217 BCE) Spoletium was attacked by Hannibal, who was repulsed by the inhabitants During the Second Punic War the city was a useful ally to Rome. It suffered greatly during the civil wars of Gaius Marius and Sulla. The latter, after his victory over Marius, confiscated the territory of Spoletium (82 BCE). From this time forth it was a municipium.

Spoleto (Portuguese pronunciation: [spoˈletu]) is a Brazilian restaurant chain that develops the concept of fast food to Italian cuisine. The restaurant's name is a tribute to the town of Spoleto, Italy.

The company was established in 1999 in Rio de Janeiro by Eduardo Ourivio and Mário Chady. In 2001, the company adopted the franchise system.

Currently, the chain has over 200 restaurants located throughout Brazil, eight in Mexico and three in Spain.

History

Spoleto's history begins in 1992 with the partnership of friends Eduardo and Mario Chady Ourívio for the opening of Guilhermina Café in Leblon. With the success of the first cafeteria they opened other cafeterias, which paved the way for other projects: a restaurant, a catering business and a gastronomic center with six stores.

Through the knowledge learned in the projects, Mario and Eduardo realized the opportunity to serve the people who eat out every day, so they created the concept of Spoleto, where the customer can choose the ingredients of the meal.