Municipality in the province of Perugia, which is located in a hilly area on the left bank of the Tiber. The village, still partly surrounded by ancient walls, is a jewel of the Renaissance, littered with precious works of art, whose appearance is outlined by the profile of the bell tower of the cathedral, for its unique cylindrical shape.
The area was originally inhabited by Umbrian tribes and later was conquered by the Romans, who colonized the area and proclaimed it "municipium. After the fall of the Empire, the whole area submitted the Barbarian invasions and the town suffered extensive damage. The first time it was destroyed by the Goths in the VI century, later rebuilt, it was conquered by the Lombards, the Franks and then submitted the domain of the Papal States. In year 1000 the town was proclaimed Municipality, but due to its particular location, it was disputed, for a long period, between the cities of Florence, Perugia and the Papacy. The inhabitants experienced a period of development in the XV century, when it was granted in fief to the noble family of Vitelli, who commissioned several noble buildings and embellished the town center with decorative elements of great harmony and beauty. The centre was surrounded with strong defensive walls since its foundation: but as the town was enlarged between the XIV and XVI centuries, the surrounding neighborhoods added, were fortified with ramparts. The domination of the Vitelli ended with the killing of Vitellozzo Vitelli, ordered by Cesare Borgia, and from this period onwards the town was subjected to the domain of the Papal States, till the abrogation of the feudal rights in the XVIII century.
Attractions:
- the Cathedral, built on the remains of a previous Romanesque church, which was rebuilt between the XV and XVI centuries. The interior features a single nave plan with side chapels and preserves a Xvi century masterpiece of the artist Rosso Fiorentino. In the attached museum, among several other artworks, it is possible to admire a painting depicting the Madonna and Child by Pinturicchio. The building is flanked by a cylindrical shaped Bell Tower;
- the Church of San Francesco, built in the second half of the XIII century in Gothic style, was later rebuilt in the XVIII century. The interior, in Baroque style, features a single a nave plan and a chapel, entitled to the Vitelli, designed by Vasari;
- the Church of San Domenico, built in the first half of the XV century in the Gothic style, presents a pointed portal and within a single nave with side chapels. It houses several frescoes, depicted between the XIV and XV centuries;
- the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie;
- the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore;
- Palazzo Vitelli alla Cannoniera, built in the XVI century by Sangallo the Younger and features a façade embellished by graffiti of Vasari. It houses the Municipal Art Gallery, which contains a valuable collection of works of art, including the "Coronation of Mary" by the Ghirlandaio and a banner completed by the famous Raphael;
- the Palazzo del Podestà, built in the XIV century, features beautiful Gothic windows incorporated on the XVII century façade in Baroque style;
- Palazzo Vitelli in Porta Sant'Egidio, built in the XVI century and features elegant windows;
- the XIV century Palazzo Albizzini Palace, which houses a collection of artworks of the artist Burri;
- the Town Hall in Gothic style;
- the Civic Watch Tower.