Village - Le Terre dei Borghi Verdi

municipality

Montecastrilli

The built-up area of Montecastrilli, with the distinctive bell tower of the Church of San Nicolò, rises with its elegance above a hill overlooking valleys full of tilled fields, rows of vineyards and green olive groves.

It has a strong agricultural vocation, even stronger are the scenic beauties that can be enjoyed by traveling within an immense territory that holds small and incredible places, once castles, such as: Casteltodino, Farnetta, Collesecco, Castel dell’Aquila, and Quadrelli.

a small stronghold

Montecastrilli: in the heart of Le Terre dei Borghi Verdi

The town was probably built during the encastellation period, when it became part of Terre Arnolphe and Todi’s contado. Today its appearance as a small stronghold given by the structure still remains.

In addition to the church with its splendid bell tower, of outstanding beauty is the Porta Amerina with its ramparts and terrace from which one can enjoy a wonderful view made up of an agrarian landscape sprinkled with farmhouses and large plots of cultivated land. The historic center preserves some of the monuments that have made its history and part of the very structure of the village, the complex of the Monastery of the Poor Clares still active today and part of the history of the village.

a small stronghold

Montecastrilli: in the heart of Le Terre dei Borghi Verdi

Hannibal’s castra

History of Montecastrilli

Who knows if it was Hannibal’s castra passing through Trasimeno, as told by an ancient tradition, that gave Montecastrilli its name, certainly it was Octavian – future Augustus – who entrusted his veterans with the lands around Todi.

The Roman villa in the area that now houses the Church of San Lorenzo in Nifili

Recent studies have revealed in the area of the Church of San Lorenzo in Nifili, a temple, a funerary area and, above all, the remains of what must have been a rustic villa of the late Republican period that later became a mansio serving a diverticulum that could join the major arteries of the period: the Via Amerina, the Via Flaminia and the Via Ulpiana.

It may be that from this core the fortified settlement that later became part of the Terre Arnolphe was formed on the hill.

The influence of Todi

Around the 12th centuryMontecastrilli after the end of the feudal unity linked to the came under the influence of the powerful Comune of Todi and was involved in the bloody clashes between Guelphs and Ghibellines and the families that represented them: the Atti and the Chiaravalle.

The story tells us that in 1480 it sided with the Atti. A few years later, when Pope Alexander VI – born Rodrigo Borgia – declared war on Altobello da Chiaravalle, defeating him at Acquasparta Montecastrilli freed itself from the yoke of Todi by being governed directly by the clerics of the Papal States.

As early as 1512 Pope Julius II again placed the castle under Todi’s jurisdiction, control that did not spare Montecastrilli from the Landsknecht siege of 1527.

In 1810 the autonomous municipality of Montecastrilli was founded, and later, with the Restoration, the autonomous community, under the Papal State, counted the hamlets of Avigliano, Castel dell’Aquila, Casteltodino, Collesecco, Belfiore, Configni, Dunarobba, Farnetta, Quadrelli, Santa Restituta and Toscolano. In 1860, with the occupation of Marche and Umbria, Montecastrilli became part of the new Kingdom, following a plebiscite held on November 4 and 5, 1860, in the municipal seat.

In 1975, after a referendum, Avigliano broke away from the territory of Montecastrilli, becoming an autonomous municipality, with the name of Avigliano Umbro.

points of interest

What to see in Montecastrilli

The historic center of Montecastrilli, from the characteristic Asso di Coppe Fountain, to the beautiful Amerina Gate, is made up of small alleys that open into small squares shaded by buildings that characterize the route.

A tour in the heart of Montecastrilli

Those arriving from Via Tuderte, the street overlooked by stores, bars and businesses, may not notice, just at the traffic circle that anticipates the entrance to the historic center:

on the left of the traffic circle a monument of architecture of the Ventennio, it is the Infirmary – Hospital – War Memorial designed by architect Bazzani in 1924;
and in the center the Ace of Cups Fountain once placed elsewhere and now a symbol placed to welcome those arriving in Montecastrilli.

Entering under the bulk of the medieval Rocca, there are the walls of the Poor Clare Monastery and, a little further up the entrance to the Church of Santa Chiara.

Follow the main street to the beautiful Church of San Nicolò and, in front of the entrance to the church, the Porta Amerina complex with the terrace offering a beautiful view over the valley towards Amelia.

In the historic center, the history of the Teatro di San Giovanni is interesting.

Small villages, churches and places of interest in the area

Casteltodino, Farnetta, Collesecco, Castel dell’Aquila, and Quadrelli are many small and wonderful castles, places of history and beauty each with its own identity and peculiarities.

In addition to the hamlets, places such as the Church of Santa Maria in Ciciliano or the Church of San Lorenzo in Nifili tell of a charm that spreads from the center to the farthest reaches of the municipality.

points of interest

What to see in Montecastrilli

A tour in the heart of Montecastrilli

Those arriving from Via Tuderte, the street overlooked by stores, bars and businesses, may not notice, just at the traffic circle that anticipates the entrance to the historic center:

on the left of the traffic circle a monument of architecture of the Ventennio, it is the Infirmary – Hospital – War Memorial designed by architect Bazzani in 1924;
and in the center the Ace of Cups Fountain once placed elsewhere and now a symbol placed to welcome those arriving in Montecastrilli.

Entering under the bulk of the medieval Rocca, there are the walls of the Poor Clare Monastery and, a little further up the entrance to the Church of Santa Chiara.

In the historic center, the history of the Teatro di San Giovanni is interesting.

Small villages, churches and places of interest in the area

Quadrelli

Scopri

Farnetta

Scopri

Collesecco

Scopri

chiesa-san-bartolomeo-casteltodino-ingresso

Church of San Bartolomeo

Scopri

Casteltodino

Scopri

Fort Caesar

Scopri

resti-del-ospedale-mercato-delle-quattro-cappelle

The Mercato Ospedale delle Quattro Cappelle or Market Hospital of the Four Chapels

Scopri

Paragnano Castle

Scopri

chiesa-dei-santi-giacomo-e-marco-ingresso

St. James and St. Mark’s Church

Scopri

castel-del-aquila-chiesa-dei-santi-giacomo-e-marco

Castel dell'Aquila

Scopri

Church of Santa Maria in Ciciliano

Scopri

Church of San Lorenzo in Nifili

Scopri

Theater of San Giovanni

Scopri

Monastery of Saint Clare

Scopri

Amerina Gate

Scopri

Church of San Nicolò

Scopri

Church of Santa Chiara

Scopri

Public Fountain "Ace of Cups"

Scopri

infermeria-ospedale-monumento-ai-caduti-ingresso-monumentale

Infermeria-Ospedaletto

Scopri

the territory of Montecastrilli

Itineraries and walks

Within the territory of Montecastrilli passes the Antica Via Amerina which touches on Castel dell’Aquila, Forte Cesare, the Ospedale Mercato delle Quattro Cappelle, and the remains of the Castello di Paragnano: fortified structures protecting this important route.

the territory of Montecastrilli

Itineraries and walks

experience the village

Events and traditions in Montecastrilli

The patron saint is Saint Nicholas of Myra to whom the church is dedicated and is celebrated on December 6.

Montecastrilli’s most important event is the Agricollina Market Fair, which is held in late April and involves more than 40,000 people who come from all over central Italy.

Since 2022, Umbria Outdoor Experience has been a festival with outdoor events, conferences, and tastings.

Where to stay

Discover the accommodation facilities of the municipality.