Città di Castello renaissance and contemporaneity
97 km from Camping Fano
Next to the high-level artistic masterworks by Raffaello, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Andrea Della Robbia and Lorenzo Ghiberti, this city features many natural spots for outdoor activities like trekking and horseback riding along the Tiber river or golfing.
Città di Castello has very ancient origins. The first huts built on the Lake Tiberino islets date back to the beginning of the first millenium AD when the Umbrians settled here and named the settlement Tiferno. In 295 AD Rome conquered the city during the battle of Sentino and transformed it into a rich municipality.
After being destroyed by the Goths in the IV century, Bishop Florido, patron of the city, had it rebuilt and fortified under the name of Civitas Castelli (X century), later converted into “Città di Castello” (in 1100). It became a free and powerful Guelf Commune as witnessed by Palazzo dei Priori and Palazzo Podestà designed by the architect Angelo da Orvieto.
In the second half of the 14th century the Vitelli family managed to gain power over the city and built elegant palaces, churches and monuments and introduced festivals and carousels to increase the city’s fame. In the 16th century the city passed in the hands of the Papal States until 1798 when the Cisalpine troops plundered it. After Napoleon’s fall the Pope reestablished its power until its annexation to the Kingdom of Italy on September 11 1860.
Arts and history
As in most Italian cities, history and art, architecture and history are tightly connected also in Città di Castello. The Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the Renessaince Cathedral with its latin cross layout, the Civic Tower and the Palazzo Vescovile and many other elegant buildings commissioned by the Vitelli family are a must for the visitor. The Pinacoteca Comunale features works by Raffaello, Luca Signorelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Andrea Della Robbia, Lorenzo Ghiberti and Antonio Vivarini.
Events and Outdoors
The High Tiber Valley offers plenty of natural spots for trekking along the river, for horseback riding and golfing. Among the cultural events it is worth mentioning the Teatro degli Illuminati with its rich annual program of interesting performances.
Gastronomy
Appetizers and pasta dishes with truffle and local extra-virgin olive oil as basic ingredients and are quite popular in this area. Other specialties include the Ciaccia and the homemade Torcolo to be enjoyed with a glass of Vinsanto.
