Padonchia: Chiesa di San Michele and Routes to the Valle Padonchia

Padonchia between Church, Art and Routes

Padonchia combines the Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo with routes towards Padonchia and the Valle Padonchia. These include the Trekking Citerna-Monterchi route and the Sentiero 153 SL Monte Santa Maria Tiberina – Lippiano – Padonchia.

The Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo

The Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo dates from the 7th or 8th century AD. The first historical document mentioning the Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo dates from 26 September 1230.

The Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo contains a depiction of the archangel Saint Michael piercing the demon with a lance; it is dated to the first half of the 15th century. The church also preserves a Madonna con Bambino from the first half of the 15th century. Both works date to the first half of the 15th century, but depict different subjects.

The construction history of the present building can also be differentiated chronologically. The present building of the Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo has a floor plan dating from the 14th century and traces of restoration from around 1989–1990.

Routes towards Padonchia and the Valle Padonchia

The Trekking Citerna-Monterchi route initially follows signpost 10 along the Torrente Cerfone and then branches off via Omarino towards Padonchia. Along this route, it changes from signpost 10 to signpost 152a towards the Valle Padonchia. At the same time, the route connects Monterchi with Citerna in Umbria via Lippiano. The section via Omarino lies between the stretch along the Torrente Cerfone and the later change towards the Valle Padonchia.

After descending to the Valle Padonchia, the Sentiero 153 SL Monte Santa Maria Tiberina – Lippiano – Padonchia then continues to the ridge in Padonchia. The Sentiero 153 SL is part of the multi-day Sentiero dei Laghi, which connects Lago Trasimeno with Lago di Montedoglio. Along its route, it passes through an oak woodland and a field and, after crossing a road, reaches the bed of the Torrente Erchi. The sequence of terrain therefore extends from the oak woodland and field via the road to the bed of the Torrente Erchi.

For individual stage planning, the endpoints differ: The trekking route then returns to Monterchi, while the Sentiero 153 SL ends in Padonchia. The two routes also differ in their reference points: The trekking route connects Monterchi with Citerna via Lippiano, while the Sentiero dei Laghi connects Lago Trasimeno with Lago di Montedoglio.

The eponymous Torrente Padonchia gives the Valle Padonchia its name. Monterchi is also associated with a Romanesque stone altar from the 11th or 12th century.

More Location Pages

More location pages: Campoluci, Chiusi Della Verna, Castelfranco Di Sopra, San Clemente In Valle, Montagnano, Pian Di Sco, Cortona, Giovi-Ponte Alla Chiassa.

To the main travel overview: Arezzo.