municipality

Amelia

Amelia‘s appeal must have spanned the millennia intact if-as reported by Pliny the Elder-Cato the Censor wrote of it in his Origines as a city founded in 1134 B.C., “963 years before the war of the Romans against the Macedonian king Perseus” that is, before Rome.

Amelia: beautiful city in Umbria

Tradition aside, the importance of this city is attested to: by the Via Amerina; by its imposing megalithic and polygonal walls; by those families who, between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, went on to design the splendid architectural complex to which we now give the name of Amelia.

a fortified city
The History of one of the oldest cities in Italy

Amelia is a city situated on high ground in a strategic position and on the route of the street of the same name, was originally a fortified city between the border that the Tiber placed between the Umbrians and the Falisci.

From the foundation to the Romans: the mythical origins of Amelia

The city, because of its very geographic location, was undoubtedly of great importance in the evolution of protohistoric cultures between Latium and Umbria. 

The earliest evidence of the Umbrian center dates back to the Bronze Age, with the discovery on the cliff of ceramic remains and a hut settlement on the southeastern slope. It is possible to read the continuity of life of the early settlement, from the Iron Age to the full archaism, and the strong contacts with Etruscan and Faliscan peoples on the other side of the Tiber.

Between the 5th and 4th centuries B.C. the Umbrian center, probably called Amer, must have had a stable structure and control by an aristocratic class, as attested by the grave goods found in some chamber tombs in the Pantanelli Sanctuary, southwest of the present city and other findings including fragments of an inscription engraved on bronze foil with a votive dedication to Zeus now in the Archaeological Museum in Naples, or the rich grave goods in the Ex-Consortium Necropolis. The remains of the megalithic walls near Porta della Valle where the earliest gateway to the ancient city must have been located are from this period.

In the early 3rd century BC, with Rome’s advance into Faliscan territory, official relations with the Urbe were forged and construction of the Polygonal Walls began.

From the end of the Republican age until the Augustan period, with the transformation of Ameria into a municipium in Regio VI, the city’s urban plan and its monumentalization was revised: the city was endowed with a forum with a Cistern, a theater, an amphitheater, baths and the campus where the bronze of the Germanicus was found, now in the Civic Museum ; the domus were enriched environments with mosaics such as those found in the cellars of Palazzo Venturelli or Palazzo Farrattini.

Ameria’s importance grew, and witness the famous oration Pro Sexto Roscio Amerino, which saw Cicero defend an Amerian nobleman, later acquitted, from the terrible charge of murdering his father.

From the third century AD. Ameria was assigned to the province Tuscia et Umbria, the first early Christian records occur in the 4th century, by the mid-5th century it was a diocese.

As the importance of the Via Amerina grew, so did the importance of the stronghold of Amelia, which was contested by the Goths, Byzantines and Lombards. In 548 the city was sacked by Totila’s Goths, later it was dominated by Faraoldo I Lombard Duke of Spoleto (579) until in 742 it was returned to the Papal State by Liutprando as Castrum Sancti Petri.

a fortified city
The History of one of the oldest cities in Italy

Amelia is a city situated on high ground in a strategic position and on the route of the street of the same name, was originally a fortified city between the border that the Tiber placed between the Umbrians and the Falisci.

From the foundation to the Romans: the mythical origins of Amelia

The city, because of its very geographic location, was undoubtedly of great importance in the evolution of protohistoric cultures between Latium and Umbria. 

The earliest evidence of the Umbrian center dates back to the Bronze Age, with the discovery on the cliff of ceramic remains and a hut settlement on the southeastern slope. It is possible to read the continuity of life of the early settlement, from the Iron Age to the full archaism, and the strong contacts with Etruscan and Faliscan peoples on the other side of the Tiber.

Between the 5th and 4th centuries B.C. the Umbrian center, probably called Amer, must have had a stable structure and control by an aristocratic class, as attested by the grave goods found in some chamber tombs in the Pantanelli Sanctuary, southwest of the present city and other findings including fragments of an inscription engraved on bronze foil with a votive dedication to Zeus now in the Archaeological Museum in Naples, or the rich grave goods in the Ex-Consortium Necropolis. The remains of the megalithic walls near Porta della Valle where the earliest gateway to the ancient city must have been located are from this period.

In the early 3rd century BC, with Rome’s advance into Faliscan territory, official relations with the Urbe were forged and construction of the Polygonal Walls began.

From the end of the Republican age until the Augustan period, with the transformation of Ameria into a municipium in Regio VI, the city’s urban plan and its monumentalization was revised: the city was endowed with a forum with a Cistern, a theater, an amphitheater, baths and the campus where the bronze of the Germanicus was found, now in the Civic Museum ; the domus were enriched environments with mosaics such as those found in the cellars of Palazzo Venturelli or Palazzo Farrattini.

Ameria’s importance grew, and witness the famous oration Pro Sexto Roscio Amerino, which saw Cicero defend an Amerian nobleman, later acquitted, from the terrible charge of murdering his father.

From the third century AD. Ameria was assigned to the province Tuscia et Umbria, the first early Christian records occur in the 4th century, by the mid-5th century it was a diocese.

As the importance of the Via Amerina grew, so did the importance of the stronghold of Amelia, which was contested by the Goths, Byzantines and Lombards. In 548 the city was sacked by Totila’s Goths, later it was dominated by Faraoldo I Lombard Duke of Spoleto (579) until in 742 it was returned to the Papal State by Liutprando as Castrum Sancti Petri.

focus-mura-poligonali-amelia
alongside Todi and Foligno
Amelia in the Middle Ages

We do not know when Amelia became a Comune (Municipality), we certainly know that in 1065 it fought alongside Todi and Foligno against Perugia, Orvieto and Gubbio. It can be deduced that at that time the city had already become a Commune as well, governed by two (or four) Consuls. 

In 1208 a peace treaty with Todi was made in front of the Abbey of San Secondo

It was in 1240 that the city was besieged and sacked by Frederick II‘s troops.

The event inspired Domenico Bruschi in 1880 in the creation of the curtain, still in use today, of the Teatro Sociale which, however, depicts the siege-as per legend-by Frederick Barbarossa and not the actual siege by his grandson.

Around the mid-14th century the city’s politics were influenced by Cardinal Aegidius of Albornoz, who succeeded in removing several burdens Amelia had on Todi.

In the following years, like all of its territory-especially that bordering Todi, it was caught up in battles between Guelphs and Ghibellines.

Amelia in the Renaissance

It was with the Renaissance that the city took on the appearance that we can admire today in its palaces: families such as the Nacci, the Farrattini, the Venturelli, the Cansacchi and, above all, the Geraldini, succeeded in culturally enriching Amelia and its territory and left us the eponymous palaces that today enrich the historic center.

Even, tradition has it that it was Alessandro Geraldini-at the time serving the Spanish court and confessor to Queen Isabella-who interceded for Christopher Columbus to obtain the three caravels that set out to discover the Americas.

In the following centuries, until the Risorgimento, Amelia’s history became identified with that of the Church State.

points of interest

What to see in Amelia

What to see in Amelia, and what to discover in its territory? There are so many possible answers: retracing its history starting from the walls and then continuing to the civic museum; discovering its Renaissance palaces or churches and abbeys; leaving the historic center to reach the hamlets, or setting out along the Amerini Paths.

Amelia is discovered as she leafs through her places: page after page.

A walk inside the walls of Amelia

Amelia and its walls, churches and palaces. Amelia and its gates. Amelia with its ascents, descents and views. Entering the first circle of walls, the Mura Poligonali of Amelia, is like reading in a book that tells our history and culture.

The walk inside the walls of Amelia is a path of just over 3 kilometers that starts from Porta Romana and takes us to discover the most interesting places in the city.

From the Church of St. Francis and its complex, now home to the Edilberto Rosa Civic Museum and Art Gallery, to the 16th-century Palazzo Venturelli.

From Porta Leone and via Cavour Street, the Church of St. Lucy and the Church-Oratory of the Crucifix, to the viewpoint towards the valley dominated by Villa Aspreta.

Then the Church of Santa Monica, Porta Posterola the Church of Santa Maria in Posterola with the Oratory of St. Jerome, and the imposing Benedictine Monastery of St. Magnus.

Reaching Matteotti Square, one can admire the Municipal Palace and the Roman Cisterns.

Climbing what was once the acropolis, passing in front of the Church of St. Catherine, one arrives at the highest point of the cliff dominated by the Cathedral of Amelia, dedicated to the patron saint St. Fermina with its Dodecagonal Bell Tower, and the premises of the Bishop’s Palace and those of the Former Seminary.

Descending from Via Liviani we meet Santa Caterina again and, once we reach Via Garibaldi – passing by Via Fossati – in the direction of the City Hall we cross the Church of Santa Maria della Porta and, shortly afterwards a small arch directs us to Via del Teatro.

When you reach the Social Theater you can continue to the former 16th-century convent of St. Michael the Archangel, until you reach a section of ancient Megalithic Walls.

Before resuming the walk, it is good to enjoy the view from Porta della Valle

Following Piacenti Street, and its vegetable gardens and gardens, we pick up Garibaldi Street and arrive at the beautiful Marconi Square with the Nacci Palace, the former Post and Telegraph Building, the Auctioneer’s Loggia and, above all, Petrignani Palace with its admirable frescoes.

Go through the Cubic Gate and down the steep Via Farrattini to the right to reach the marvel of Palazzo Farrattini.

From Via Sangallo we go up to Via della Repubblica-Corso di Amelia-which, with its bars and restaurants, takes us back to Porta Romana.

[button – Discover the walk inside the walls – link to itinerary].

focus-porta-romana-amelia
points of interest

What to see in Amelia

What to see in Amelia, and what to discover in its territory? There are so many possible answers: retracing its history starting from the walls and then continuing to the civic museum; discovering its Renaissance palaces or churches and abbeys; leaving the historic center to reach the hamlets, or setting out along the Amerini Paths.

Amelia is discovered as she leafs through her places: page after page.

A walk inside the walls of Amelia

Amelia and its walls, churches and palaces. Amelia and its gates. Amelia with its ascents, descents and views. Entering the first circle of walls, the Mura Poligonali of Amelia, is like reading in a book that tells our history and culture.

The walk inside the walls of Amelia is a path of just over 3 kilometers that starts from Porta Romana and takes us to discover the most interesting places in the city.

From the Church of St. Francis and its complex, now home to the Edilberto Rosa Civic Museum and Art Gallery, to the 16th-century Palazzo Venturelli.

From Porta Leone and via Cavour Street, the Church of St. Lucy and the Church-Oratory of the Crucifix, to the viewpoint towards the valley dominated by Villa Aspreta.

Then the Church of Santa Monica, Porta Posterola the Church of Santa Maria in Posterola with the Oratory of St. Jerome, and the imposing Benedictine Monastery of St. Magnus.

Reaching Matteotti Square, one can admire the Municipal Palace and the Roman Cisterns.

Climbing what was once the acropolis, passing in front of the Church of St. Catherine, one arrives at the highest point of the cliff dominated by the Cathedral of Amelia, dedicated to the patron saint St. Fermina with its Dodecagonal Bell Tower, and the premises of the Bishop’s Palace and those of the Former Seminary.

Descending from Via Liviani we meet Santa Caterina again and, once we reach Via Garibaldi – passing by Via Fossati – in the direction of the City Hall we cross the Church of Santa Maria della Porta and, shortly afterwards a small arch directs us to Via del Teatro.

When you reach the Social Theater you can continue to the former 16th-century convent of St. Michael the Archangel, until you reach a section of ancient Megalithic Walls.

Before resuming the walk, it is good to enjoy the view from Porta della Valle

Following Piacenti Street, and its vegetable gardens and gardens, we pick up Garibaldi Street and arrive at the beautiful Marconi Square with the Nacci Palace, the former Post and Telegraph Building, the Auctioneer’s Loggia and, above all, Petrignani Palace with its admirable frescoes.

Go through the Cubic Gate and down the steep Via Farrattini to the right to reach the marvel of Palazzo Farrattini.

From Via Sangallo we go up to Via della Repubblica-Corso di Amelia-which, with its bars and restaurants, takes us back to Porta Romana.

[button – Discover the walk inside the walls – link to itinerary].

castles, villages and authentic places
The amerino: villages and castles of the Amelia area

The historic center is only a small part of the wonders of Amelia, the territory that unravels around the city offers the cue to discover castles, villages and authentic places that stretch into the Amerino, or marked trails to enjoy on foot and by bike in the Amerini mountains.

The Amerine Way

One of the most interesting itineraries in the area is that of the Via Amerina which, in the territory of the Municipality of Amelia, passes through an interesting series of castles along the ridge of the Amelia mountains, starting with the remains of that of Canale a few steps from that of Collicello, then the remains of the castle of Lacuscello

Further south is Santa Maria in Canale an incredible religious complex built on the remains of an Umbro-Italic temple.

Continue to Sambucetole, then to the Convent of St. James in Redere, until you reach below Amelia and the waters of the Rio Grande Basin

Hamlets and hamlets of Amelia

Porchiano del Monte, Montecampano, Fornole, and then again Macchie and Foce: each hamlet a castle, each village an ancient story to tell and architecture and places that surprise.

Discovering the territory along the Amerini Trails

The hub of the more than 150 kilometers of trails laid out by Italian Alpine Club, nine routes of the Amerini Trails depart from Amelia.

From urban treks of tourist difficulty:

  • Amelia Urban Trekking Trail 734: an urban trek of tourist difficulty of 4.1 kilometers outside and inside the walls of Amelia, discovering the most picturesque places in the city, starting from Porta Romana;
  • Trail 735 Amelia – Lago Vecchio: a 3-kilometer hike of tourist difficulty that starts at Porta Romana, passes along the route of the walls of Amelia, the ancient Via Amerina until it reaches the Rio Grande Basin and Lago Vecchio.
  • Trail 735A Porta Leone Variant: the variant of less than 1 kilometer with passage from Porta Leone and arrival at Nocicchia Fountain;
  • Trail 735B Amelia – Lago Vecchio (for Nocicchia): a variant to reach Lago Vecchio from Amelia in 1.6 kilometers starting from Porta Romana, passing by the Nocicchia Fountain;

Up to those running through the territory of Amelia of hiking difficulty:

  • 720 Amelia – Sambucetole: an 8.9-kilometer hiking trek that starts from the Rio Grande Basin area and arrives, after several ups and downs along the Rio Grande valley, and passing by the Capuchin Convent, at Sambucetole:
  • 721 Amelia – Collicello: a 9.6 km hiking difficulty trail that climbs Mount Piglio and descends it to Collicello;
  • 728 Amelia – Macchie a 7.6 km hiking difficulty trail that runs from Lago Vecchio in the Rio Grande Basin to Macchie, passing by La Cavallerizza riding stables via dirt roads, among hills, ilex groves and beautiful views;
  • 729 Amelia – Macchie – Lugnano a long and spectacular trail that connects Amelia–starting at Porta Romana–to Lugnano, passing through Macchie;
  •  731 Amelia – Porchiano a 7.5-kilometer trail that connects Amelia – starting at Porta Romana – to Porchiano del Monte.
  • 737 Amelia – Fornole – Foce a 9.3-kilometer hiking difficulty trail that starts at Porta Romana, reaches Fornole after passing the Witches’ ditch, and then arrives, after passing the Church of Silvestro and the forest of the same name, at Foce
castles, villages and authentic places
The amerino: villages and castles of the Amelia area

The historic center is only a small part of the wonders of Amelia, the territory that unravels around the city offers the cue to discover castles, villages and authentic places that stretch into the Amerino, or marked trails to enjoy on foot and by bike in the Amerini mountains.

The Amerine Way

One of the most interesting itineraries in the area is that of the Via Amerina which, in the territory of the Municipality of Amelia, passes through an interesting series of castles along the ridge of the Amelia mountains, starting with the remains of that of Canale a few steps from that of Collicello, then the remains of the castle of Lacuscello

Further south is Santa Maria in Canale an incredible religious complex built on the remains of an Umbro-Italic temple.

Continue to Sambucetole, then to the Convent of St. James in Redere, until you reach below Amelia and the waters of the Rio Grande Basin

Hamlets and hamlets of Amelia

Porchiano del Monte, Montecampano, Fornole, and then again Macchie and Foce: each hamlet a castle, each village an ancient story to tell and architecture and places that surprise.

Discovering the territory along the Amerini Trails

The hub of the more than 150 kilometers of trails laid out by Italian Alpine Club, nine routes of the Amerini Trails depart from Amelia.

From urban treks of tourist difficulty:

  • Amelia Urban Trekking Trail 734: an urban trek of tourist difficulty of 4.1 kilometers outside and inside the walls of Amelia, discovering the most picturesque places in the city, starting from Porta Romana;
  • Trail 735 Amelia – Lago Vecchio: a 3-kilometer hike of tourist difficulty that starts at Porta Romana, passes along the route of the walls of Amelia, the ancient Via Amerina until it reaches the Rio Grande Basin and Lago Vecchio.
  • Trail 735A Porta Leone Variant: the variant of less than 1 kilometer with passage from Porta Leone and arrival at Nocicchia Fountain;
  • Trail 735B Amelia – Lago Vecchio (for Nocicchia): a variant to reach Lago Vecchio from Amelia in 1.6 kilometers starting from Porta Romana, passing by the Nocicchia Fountain;

Up to those running through the territory of Amelia of hiking difficulty:

  • 720 Amelia – Sambucetole: an 8.9-kilometer hiking trek that starts from the Rio Grande Basin area and arrives, after several ups and downs along the Rio Grande valley, and passing by the Capuchin Convent, at Sambucetole:
  • 721 Amelia – Collicello: a 9.6 km hiking difficulty trail that climbs Mount Piglio and descends it to Collicello;
  • 728 Amelia – Macchie a 7.6 km hiking difficulty trail that runs from Lago Vecchio in the Rio Grande Basin to Macchie, passing by La Cavallerizza riding stables via dirt roads, among hills, ilex groves and beautiful views;
  • 729 Amelia – Macchie – Lugnano a long and spectacular trail that connects Amelia–starting at Porta Romana–to Lugnano, passing through Macchie;
  •  731 Amelia – Porchiano a 7.5-kilometer trail that connects Amelia – starting at Porta Romana – to Porchiano del Monte.
  • 737 Amelia – Fornole – Foce a 9.3-kilometer hiking difficulty trail that starts at Porta Romana, reaches Fornole after passing the Witches’ ditch, and then arrives, after passing the Church of Silvestro and the forest of the same name, at Foce

experience the village
Events and traditions in Amelia

Culture, history, food and wine, and tradition: several events recur throughout the year.

For one weekend in mid-June, Cyclopica, Giants in the Hills a festival of literature, art and philosophy takes place.

One of the most heartfelt events is the Palio dei Colombi medieval challenge that brings Amelia back into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, for two weeks from late July to early August,

August is also the month of Ferragosto Amerino with events ranging from music, performances of all kinds within the city’s historic center.

The Ameria Festival, between September and November, is a wonderful festival of music, drama, art exhibitions, meetings and events involving the Amelia Social Theater.

The patron saint Saint Fermina is celebrated on November 24. 

Where to stay

Discover the accommodation facilities of the municipality.