Monterubiaglio: Castle, Church and Wine Tradition

Monterubiaglio combines medieval local history with religious tradition, walking routes and a deeply rooted wine culture. If, during your trip to Italy, you want to do more than simply see a landscape and instead understand the character of a place through its buildings, festivals and culinary traditions, Monterubiaglio offers several interesting ways to do so. The church, castle, archaeological site and historic cellars each tell a different part of the story.

Church, Castle and Medieval Monterubiaglio

In the present-day Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, parts of the walls and apse of an earlier church lie beneath the flooring. There are also fragments of frescoes, which give the church a particular historical depth. Inside the same church, you can see a wooden depiction of the Assumption of Mary. Since the 17th century, it has been historically associated with local celebrations and popular devotion.

The history of fortification also shapes Monterubiaglio. The fortified settlement is documented in the 1292 land register as Castrum, meaning a fortified place. The medieval castle developed into a defensive complex with a surrounding wall, keep and palatium. The square Castello Monaldeschi has corner towers and overlooks Piazza dello Statuto in Monterubiaglio.

Walks Between Villages and Landscapes

One walk leads to Monterubiaglio and includes a visit to the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate and the remains of San Bartolomeo. This creates a connection between the historic religious building and another testimony to the area's history. Another walk is called “Alla scoperta dei sentieri locali” and includes Castel Viscardo, Monterubiaglio, Tivertino and the Fonti di Tiberio. The two routes therefore have different focuses: one centers on Monterubiaglio and its historic sites, while the other connects the village with several destinations.

The archaeological site of Coriglia provides further context for the landscape. It lies on the northern slope of the hill whose summit is occupied by Monterubiaglio, overlooking the valley of the River Paglia. Anyone interested in the connection between settlement history and landscape will find another specific point of reference around the village here.

Wine Tradition and Local Food Culture

The Cotarella family's connection with the world of wine began in the 1960s. At that time, winegrowers Antonio and Domenico Cotarella established their first wine cellar in Monterubiaglio for their own wine production. The old cellars dug into the rock below Monterubiaglio are also connected with a winemaking tradition passed down through generations.

This tradition is also reflected in time-honored methods of winemaking and communal celebration. During the traditional Festa della Pistatura, the grapes were placed in the Bigonzone, trodden barefoot and sealed with cement. The Bigonzone was then meant to be brought back to the square in November for the tasting of the new wine. At Baffo DiVino, each course is paired with a selection of the best DOC wines and local wines from Monterubiaglio's historic cellars.

The May Patronal Celebration

The annual patronal celebration in May combines religious festivities and prayer with music, gastronomic and wine-related events, as well as other traditional activities and performances.

Other Places

Alviano, Orvieto Scalo, Ripalvella, Collicello, San Gemini, Torreorsina, Rosaro and Vasciano

For the broader travel overview: Terni.