A small photographic service to visit our properties

An unusual (not for us) point of view on our agriturismo

... even this year...

Perugia dominates the Tiber Valley from a high, irregular and rough hill: the particular feature of the land has generated a wide variety of urbanistic situations, giving the town a very special aspect. The rich artistic and cultural patrimony and the natural environment make Perugia an unique city of major importance, and this from the beginning of its history. Perugia lies on a hill inhabited ever since the prehistoric times; it was first a settlement of the Umbrians, then it passed under the rule of the Etruscans, becoming one of the most important cities in the High Tiber Valley.

In ancient times it was certainly an important trade centre on the Tiber banks where the Umbrians and Etruscans bartered their wares. In Roman times it was known as Pitulum. Medals, inscriptions, columns, a donary on Monte Acuto and a settlement near S. Maria di Sette confirm the existence of this village later to be destroyed by Totila's barbarians Tradition has it that it was rebuilt with the name of Fratta on its present site, towards the end of the VIIIth century by the sons of Uberto, Margrave of Tuscany.

Tifernum, originally a very ancient Umbrian centre in the Upper Tiber Valley, after conquest by the Romans, became towards the end of the 1st century a rich and flourishing municipium named Tifernum Tiberinum. A powerful patron, Pliny the Younger, adorned it with fine temples and public buildings. The town was destroyed by Totila's Goths, and later rebuilt and fortified by Bishop Florido. The name was changed first to Castrum Felicitatis and later to Civitas Castelli, whence Città di Castello. A very mighty Guelph free city, it spread its dominion over the neighbouring territory, stretching well beyond the Apennines. The two magnificent palaces of the Priors and the Podestà bear witness to its strength and influence.was taken and largely destroyed during the Ostrogothic campaign by Fantalogus, by order of Totila. The town was subsequently rebuilt under the direction of its bishop, Floridus, around a castle, and hence renamed first Castrum Felicitatis and later Civitas Castelli. By the donation of the Frankish king Pepin the Short in 752, it became subject to the Holy See, though in practice it was disputed between the papacy, Perugia and Florence. Local lords disputed its possession, which settled in the family of the Vitelli, even after Cesare Borgia attached the city more directly to the Holy See.

That this ancient Umbrian fortified pagus later passed under Roman dominion is testified by local finds, although its layout today is mediaeval. Around year 800, the first castles sprang up along the road from Tiferno to Gubbio. In all probability Montone grew in the vicinity of the Aries Castle (aries = montone, or ram). Governed by two consuls with their own codes of law, like the other free cities, in 1200 it became part of the Seignory of Perugia.

Sansepolcro is a town and commune in Tuscany, Italy, in the province of Arezzo. Situated on the Tiber river, it was the birthplace of the painters Piero della Francesca and Raffaellino del Colle, a pupil of Raphael. It was also the birthplace of the Italian mathematician Luca Pacioli.

The Etruscan antiquity of the city is not in doubt, but its foundation is lost in the mists of many legends which were already told in classical times. These were later reworked especially in the late Renaissance period under Cosimo I de' Medici. They were concerned with reconciling of two opposed purposes: (a) The Florentine ruling class wanted to portray the huge domain of Tuscany as ancient Etruria, and to trace all its most famous towns right back to the time immediately following Noah's Flood. They wanted official recognition for them as a Grand Duchy, to obtain the title of Grand Duke for Cosimo. This was granted by Pope Pius V in 1570.