The "heart of Italy" is a title most traditionally and geographically attributed to the region of Umbria. Often called "Il Cuore Verde d'Italia" (The Green Heart of Italy), Umbria is the only Italian region that has neither a coastline nor a border with another country, sitting perfectly at the center of the peninsula. It is celebrated for its lush rolling hills, ancient olive groves, and medieval hilltop towns like Assisi, Perugia, and Orvieto. Culturally, it represents the soul of Italian spirituality and tradition, being the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi. However, in a more metaphorical or political sense, some refer to Rome as the heart of Italy because it is the capital and the historical epicenter of the Roman Empire and the Catholic Church. Others might argue for Tuscany because it is the birthplace of the Italian language and the Renaissance. Despite these contenders, if you are looking for the region that embodies the "purest" and most central essence of the Italian landscape and rural lifestyle, Umbria remains the undisputed "Green Heart" of the nation.