Fanciullata: Madonna del Fanciullo, Ceramics and Regional Discoveries

Churches, Art and Archaeology in Fanciullata

Fanciullata is a place where sacred art, archaeology and regional routes come together. The village is home to the small Madonna del Fanciullo church. Archaeological finds in Fanciullata include travertine urns and so-called Cappuccina tombs. This gives you a cultural focus that can be explored through both visible evidence in the village and museums and historic sites in the wider surrounding area.

The Madonna del Fanciullo

The Madonna del Fanciullo church was built in the 17th century to protect an older wayside shrine. In 1459, the shrine was decorated with a fresco by the Perugian painter Bartolomeo Caporali. The recently restored niche depicts the Madonna and Child between angels. The Eternal Father is shown in the spandrel, while Saints James and Anthony the Abbot can be seen on either side of the niche. The individual pictorial motifs give the small building a clearly recognisable art-historical character, without requiring you to have a background in large collections.

The History of Ceramics in Deruta

Deruta is home to the Pinacoteca Comunale in the 14th-century Palazzo dei Consoli. The Ex Fornace Grazia, dating from the 16th century and completely restored by the municipality, now serves as a museum and exhibition centre. The Museo della Ceramica expands this cultural focus with the remains of the Fornaci di San Salvatore and numerous ceramic finds. The museum was founded in 1898 by a group of local dignitaries and is the oldest museum of its kind in Italy. Its chronologically arranged collection ranges from medieval to contemporary ceramics.

Other Destinations Nearby

The area around Fanciullata is home to the Museo del vino and Castello Di Cisterna, which is classified as a castle. Also classified as museums are the Museo Storico Perugina and the National Archaeological Museum of Perugia. The Santuario della Madonna dei Bagni was built in 1687 at a site associated with a miraculous event and is located near the centre of Deruta. Over the course of three centuries, more than 700 maiolica tiles were collected in the Santuario.

Landscape, Cycling Route and Rail Connections

The surrounding area of Fanciullata offers geographical landmarks including Monte Veduta del Lago, Poggio delle Civitelle and Monte Vergnano, each classified as a mountain. The Arco dei Gigli is considered a natural arch. The Torgiano–Deruta cycling route reaches Fanciullata at kilometre 17.6. For rail connections, Fanciullata is served by the PG131 train towards Terni. This allows cultural interests and an active exploration perspective to be incorporated into the same travel plans.

Tradition and Remembrance

In the first days of May, Sant’Angelo di Celle hosts the Palio di San Michele, a traditional relay race involving three districts. In Fanciullata, a rectangular marble memorial plaque commemorates the death of Lieutenant Bruno Andreoli in the First World War; a relief portrait is located on the façade of his home. On 17 May 1920, the Ministry of War awarded Second Lieutenant Bruno Andreoli a Silver Medal for Military Valour as well as an annual allowance of 250 lire.

Other Places to Include in Your Travel Plans

For further orientation, you can also include Norcia, Castel Rigone, Valtopina, Ponte Centesimo, Pieve, Morcella, Badiola and Monte Vibiano Vecchio in your plans.

For the broader travel overview: Perugia.