Monte Santa Maria Tiberina: History on the Hill
Monte Santa Maria Tiberina lies on a panoramic hill above a fertile plain crossed by the Aggia stream. Historic buildings, churches and trails characterise the town, as does the view over the Umbrian and Tuscan valleys.
Palaces, Churches and the Bourbon Heritage
The Palazzo Bourbon del Monte – also known as the Castello or Palazzo Marchionale – was built between 1564 and 1614 on the structures of an earlier castle. Due to important restoration and enhancement works, the Palazzo is temporarily closed to the public. The exhibition „An Imperial Fief in Central Italy“ has been set up in three rooms on the ground floor. The archaeological section of the Palazzo Museo Bourbon del Monte displays finds from the area dating from the Neolithic period to the 8th century AD.
The Castello di Lippiano, a hamlet of Monte Santa Maria Tiberina, is also part of the historical context. The Castello was a former residence of the Bourbon del Monte family. This family’s Marchesato was an imperial fief from 1250 to 1815. The Castello is privately owned and is not normally open to visitors. From Piazza Umberto I, however, you can see the old circular bastion.
The Church of Santa Maria and the Bourbon Chapel are located in Monte Santa Maria Tiberina. The church was built at the beginning of the 11th century and has Romanesque origins. The Bourbon Chapel was built in 1613 by Marquis Gianbattista Bourbon del Monte. The church contains a 16th-century octagonal sandstone baptismal font bearing the coat of arms of the Bourbon marquises of Monte Santa Maria. A local tradition also connects the town with the village’s silver keys, which are presented to the Virgin during the Feast of the Assumption.
Historic Trails with Different Paces
The project „Fiefs, Castles and Villas. Historic Trails“ includes Monte Santa Maria Tiberina and offers historic routes that can be travelled by car, bicycle or on foot. General information boards indicate the project in the towns; hiking trail signs are placed along the routes.
Sentiero 153 SL connects Monte Santa Maria Tiberina with Monterchi in Tuscany. It is part of the multi-day Sentiero dei Laghi, which connects Lake Trasimeno with Lake Montedoglio. Near the trail, a small side path leads to Arcalena, a small settlement with an old church. Route 14 also leads to Monte Santa Maria Tiberina, the highest point on this route. It runs along a hill overlooking the Umbrian and Tuscan valleys.
Forest Products and Seasonal Character of the Town
The gathering of wild forest products such as sweet chestnuts, mushrooms, truffles and wild herbs has been economically and culturally significant in Monte Santa Maria Tiberina for centuries. The chestnut of Lippiano, a hamlet of Monte Santa Maria Tiberina, is one of the gathered products celebrated in autumn at a forest festival.
Getting There and Transport Connections
A scheduled bus service connects Monte Santa Maria Tiberina with Città di Castello. The bus service operates year-round from Monday to Saturday. From the north, you can reach the town via the E45, the Città di Castello exit and then the „Montesca“ provincial road towards Umbertide, as far as the turn-off for Monte Santa Maria Tiberina.
For the main travel overview: Perugia.
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