Pantanella between Monte Malbe and Medieval Towns

Nature Trails on Monte Malbe

In the scenic surroundings of Pantanella, Monte Malbe offers various opportunities to combine nature and physical activity. There are currently five hiking trails there. The Anello M19 di Monte Malbe is classified as a moderately difficult hiking trail, is approximately 12.5 kilometres long and takes five hours to walk without breaks. It can be explored on foot and is also suitable in part for bicycles and horses. Horse rides are also possible on Monte Malbe’s nature trails.

The small ponds along the trails are particularly characteristic. They are home to fauna protected at European level. Rare specimens of the Italian smooth newt and the Italian crested newt can be found at Troscia del Melo on the Anello M19; these two species are also protected at European level. The trail also leads to the hermitage of San Salvatore, which is also known as the Romitorio. Families will find the Sentiero Fantastico, a trail designed specifically for children and their families. The MTB-08 route is available for mountain bike tours in the surrounding region: it runs mainly through the forests of Monte Malbe and offers views of the surrounding landscapes, including Perugia.

Castelvieto: Walls, Churches and a Long History

In the immediate vicinity of Pantanella, today’s access to Castelvieto leads through an opening in the old wall into the fortified village. A small, scattered settlement developed around the church there in the early Middle Ages. In the 13th century, it was known as Villa Plebis Tiviane. The Church of Santa Maria, located outside the walls, was built in 1564.

Another historical landmark is the Pieve di San Giovanni in Castelvieto. Its residential porch has an entrance leading to a large courtyard paved with stone slabs, where the church is located. The ancient parish church may have been built as early as the 7th century and was first mentioned in documents in 1136; it has been restored several times. The Pieve di San Giovanni Battista also contains a painting of John the Baptist, the church’s patron saint. The crucifix kept there has been carried in procession during a solemn festival since 1662.

Corciano between Art and Palaeontology

Corciano also broadens the cultural spectrum around Pantanella. The historic centre preserves medieval walls, lanes, steps, palaces, towers, gardens, churches and bell towers. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta houses Perugino’s 1513 altarpiece of the Assumption.

The Antiquarium of Corciano displays fossils of Mesozoic ammonites from Migiana dating from the Lower Jurassic, as well as remains of Quaternary mammals from Ellera dating from the Lower Pleistocene. The Antiquarium is divided into palaeontological, prehistoric, protohistoric and archaeological sections. Corciano’s tourist information office is located in the municipal Antiquarium. The Sagra di Castelvieto adds a culinary highlight: Bruschettone is served there, a large bruschetta with four different toppings. The festival marks the conclusion of the August events in Corciano.

More places for planning your trip: Collemancio, Fontignano, Agello, Uncinano, Beroide, Montefalco, Vernazzano Basso and Corciano.

To the main travel overview: Perugia.