Village - Le Terre dei Borghi Verdi

municipality

Montecchio

Straddling the Amerino and Orvieto districts, set on the western slope of Mount Croce di Serra, Montecchio dominates the Tiberina valley from the height of its noble appearance as a medieval settlement that rightfully places it among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.

The historic center, protected by walls and towers, unravels into alleys and squares that create unique geometries along with stairs and ladders that ascend, or descend, the highest loors of ancient homes.

The bricks affixed to some houses indicate the names of ancient families who owned furnaces; the christograms of St. Bernardino affixed to many doorways indicate the passage of this saint who became the patron saint of Montecchio.

history, nature and beauty

Discover Montecchio and its beautiful area

The territory is extremely rich in history, nature and beauty: it is history what remains of the pre-Roman settlement of Copio and, above all, its immense Umbro-Etruscan Necropolis in the Vallone di San Lorenzo, it is history and beauty Tenaglie, where dominates the ancient and majestic Palazzo Ancajani in front of the remains of the Castle of Carnano, is history and nature the beautiful Melezzole, a splendid hamlet guarded in the green of wonderful chestnut groves from which the people of Melezzole draw a very tasty and sought-after fruit.

The history of a very ancient borderland

The center is built on the mount (=monticulus) and it has so much history to tell, certainly the history of the Copium trading outpost located on the left side of the Tiber active from the 7th-6th centuries B.C. to the 1st-2nd centuries A.D. is all the more ancient.

Recent studies have revealed its function as a connecting place between Umbrians and Etruscans in an area of influence of ancient Velzna (Orvieto).

The Vallone di San Lorenzo Necropolis, dating from the 6th-4th centuries-with its more than 3,000 burials and grave goods housed at the AMAT Museum in Tenaglie – reinforced the narrative of two peoples who lived these in harmony and divided only geographically by the Tiber.

The Romans arrived in the 3rd century B.C., and some artifacts found at Copio and other places in the area show that, as with neighboring towns, the lands of Montecchio became coveted for the construction of rustic villas.

history, nature and beauty

Discover Montecchio and its beautiful area

The history of a very ancient borderland

Recent studies have revealed its function as a connecting place between Umbrians and Etruscans in an area of influence of ancient Velzna (Orvieto).

the history of Montecchio

Montecchio in the Middle Ages

The history of Montecchio and its territory, placed between the two powerful cities of Todi and Orvieto and will be influenced, especially by the former, bent on expanding its territories and influence.

Certainly, towards the end of the 11th century the aims of this city were held back by the Basque family, at the time masters of these lands and the defense system that consisted of the strongholds of the Castle of Baschi and the Castle of Carnano (link to PDI). It was the descent of Frederick Barbarossa in 1154 that gave the impetus to the Ghibelline ally Todi to conquer a series of castles. In 1169 the powerful Guelph family of Chiaravalle was driven out of Todi and found refuge at their own possessions at Monticuli, which has since become a castle.

In 1190 the second fortified circle was built, both for greater defense of what was the village and for the increase in population.

Different families succeeded each other in governing the city: from the Chiaravalle to the Alviano, from the Baschi to the Colonna to the Atti in the continuous clash between Guelphs and Ghibellines to control the strategic junction of Castrum Monticuli.

In 1528 the history of the Agrarian University of Montecchio and the collective Domains of Tenaglie and Melezzole began.

On April 10, 1607, all of the Atti family’s estates were sold to the Florentine Bartolomeo Corsini.

With the founding of the Kingdom of Italy in 1860 Montecchio came under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Baschi and remained so until 1948 when it became an autonomous municipality with the hamlets of Tenaglie and Melezzole.

points of interest

What to see in Montecchio and its territory

A visit to Montecchio can only start with a tour of the historic center, the Umbro-Etruscan Necropolis is not that far away, and the path that encircles the San Lorenzo stream is a unique sight to walk. A little farther away is the hamlet of Tenaglie starting place of the Silent Villages Trail. Further away and spaced from the mountain of the same name is the hamlet of Melezzole.

A tour of the historic center

The walk inside the historic center begins at Piazza Garibaldi and the Town Hall building and a war memorial with a statue by Angelo biscarini of Perugia. Leaving the square behind, one can head to the Fountain in Concordia Square, which is half of a work once placed elsewhere in the town. Going up a small ramp, one reaches the Main Gate, which until the 18th century was the only entrance to the town: at the top the tower, lower down a black mass that tradition says was the effect of one of the cannonballs from the 1496 siege by Matteo da Canale.

Past the door and the pitfall that can be seen under the vault, there is a fresco to the Madonna in the counter-wall and, a little further on, a reproduction of a table that tells of the punishments that the lord of the castle could inflict on those who did not respect the use of the cistern located just below the street. Further on there is a second door that gives us access to the first nucleus of the castle and takes us to Vicolo Brutto the tour continues through the alleys of Montecchio to reach Piazza San Bernardino, going up an alley we reach the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. The tour of the historic center comes to an end, once past Porta Nova we descend, again, to the main square.

A tour of the territory

The territory of Montecchio includes, in addition to the aforementioned Vallone di San Lorenzo Necropolis the two beautiful hamlets:

Tenaglie, the starting place of the Silent Villages Walk, where the imposing bulk of the splendid Palazzo Ancajani is imposing but where one can visit, in addition to the Church of Our Lady of Grace, the Antiquarium Museo Arcehologico di Tenaglie – AMAT. Opposite the palace, as a reminder of human transience, stand the remains of Carnano Castle and, in particular, the Abbey of St. Andrew of Carnano.
Melezzole which, apart from the characteristic shape of the castle that winds around the tower, now a bell tower, of the Church of San Biagio has in its territory made of chestnut groves the secret of its beauty. Outside the village walls, along the Silent Villages Trail, the Church of San Vitale de Murellis is a gem worth a visit.

Along the way to the beautiful valley of Cocciano, noteworthy are the remains of a Byzantine Tower near what was the structure of the Monastery of St. Andrew, now a private home.

points of interest

What to see in Montecchio and its territory

A tour of the historic center

A tour of the territory

The territory of Montecchio includes, in addition to the aforementioned Vallone di San Lorenzo Necropolis the two beautiful hamlets:

Tenaglie, the starting place of the Silent Villages Walk, where the imposing bulk of the splendid Palazzo Ancajani is imposing but where one can visit, in addition to the Church of Our Lady of Grace, the Antiquarium Museo Arcehologico di Tenaglie – AMAT. Opposite the palace, as a reminder of human transience, stand the remains of Carnano Castle and, in particular, the Abbey of St. Andrew of Carnano.
Melezzole which, apart from the characteristic shape of the castle that winds around the tower, now a bell tower, of the Church of San Biagio has in its territory made of chestnut groves the secret of its beauty. Outside the village walls, along the Silent Villages Trail, the Church of San Vitale de Murellis is a gem worth a visit.

Along the way to the beautiful valley of Cocciano, noteworthy are the remains of a Byzantine Tower near what was the structure of the Monastery of St. Andrew, now a private home.

the territory

Routes, walks and outdoor experiences

Located within the Amerini Trails complex and the starting base, in Tenaglie, of the Cammino dei Borghi Silenti, Montecchio is the home of trekking and outdoor experiences.

The most interesting CAI trails

Several CAI trails start or pass within the area, among the most interesting of which are:

Trail 707 Montecchio route A is an 11.4 km hiking difficulty trail (+384/-222) that starts from loc. I Poggi and reaches the remains of the Monastery of St. Andrew passing through the Necropolis of the Vallone di San Lorenzo, Tenaglie, between the territories of the municipalities of Baschi, Guardea and that of Montecchio.
Path 708 Montecchio path B is a path of 15 km of hiking difficulty (positive ascent +244, descent -589) that starts from the base of Mount Pozzo Callarano in the territory of Baschi, to reach the center of Montecchio by a dirt road in an elevated and panoramic position from which you can enjoy the view of the gullies that characterize the area. Taking the direction of Tenaglie you take via del Rio a steep downhill road and leaving on the left the Monastery of S. Andrea in a few minutes you reach the valley of Cocciano and Case Branca where there is the intersection with the Path 705 Anello Alviano – Guardea.
Trail 709 Montecchio Ring Trail C is a challenging 12-km hiking loop (+/-616) that starts from Montecchio heads to the ridge of Mt. Croce di Serra, with splendid views.From the summit, descend to the northern saddle between the two peaks to briefly reach the summit of Mt. Melezzole. After passing the saddle at the base of Mount Citernella, the trail continues downhill and ends on an asphalt road near Torre Petroro. From here follow the paved road downhill until returning to the center of Montecchio.
Trail 710 Anello di Melezzole is an atmospheric 9.2 km loop of hiking difficulty (+/- 432) that starts from the center of Melezzole and heads south at Posta del Prete locality climbing to the peaks of Mt. Croce di Serra (997 m) and then Mt. Melezzole (994 m). It descends to Mt. Bocciolone and then returns to Melezzole.
Trail 711 Posta del Prete Monte Pianicel Grande is a short 2.1-kilometer hiking difficulty trail that starts at Posta del Prete locality and ends at Monte Pianicel Grande.
Trail 745 Santa Restituta – Montecchio is a trail of about 6 km that starts from the beautiful Castle of Santa Restituta in the territory of Avigliano Umbro passes through loc. Posta del Prete and reaches Montecchio.
Trail 746 Alta Via dei Monti Amerini is one of the most scenic and challenging trails in our area: it starts from the territory of Montecchio passing through those of Avigliano Umbro and Guardea touching the most significant peaks of those of the Amerini Trails: mount Melezzole (994 mt.), Mount Croce di Serra (997 mt.), Pian Puosi (906 mt.) and Mount Rotondo (918 mt.), Mount Pianicel Grande (898 mt.), Campo Croci or Piani Peloni for a total of 7.1 km.
Trail 747 Melezzole-Montecchio is an approximately 6.6 km trail that starts in Melezzole climbs northward, cuts toward Mount Pufiano and then reaches Montecchio.

Il cammino dei borghi Silenti

Tenaglie is the starting (and ending) place of the Silent Villages Walk: the first 23.5-kilometer stage starts in Tenaglie, doce you can photograph yourself on the pilgrim’s benches, then heads to Guardea via the Castle of Poggio, through the valley of Cocciano, and after Santa Restituta and Toscolano, in the territory of Avigliano Umbro, giungee to Melezzole.

the territory

Routes, walks and outdoor experiences

Located within the Amerini Trails complex and the starting base, in Tenaglie, of the Cammino dei Borghi Silenti, Montecchio is the home of trekking and outdoor experiences.

The most interesting CAI trails

Several CAI trails start or pass within the area, among the most interesting of which are:

Trail 707 Montecchio route A is an 11.4 km hiking difficulty trail (+384/-222) that starts from loc. I Poggi and reaches the remains of the Monastery of St. Andrew passing through the Necropolis of the Vallone di San Lorenzo, Tenaglie, between the territories of the municipalities of Baschi, Guardea and that of Montecchio.
Path 708 Montecchio path B is a path of 15 km of hiking difficulty (positive ascent +244, descent -589) that starts from the base of Mount Pozzo Callarano in the territory of Baschi, to reach the center of Montecchio by a dirt road in an elevated and panoramic position from which you can enjoy the view of the gullies that characterize the area. Taking the direction of Tenaglie you take via del Rio a steep downhill road and leaving on the left the Monastery of S. Andrea in a few minutes you reach the valley of Cocciano and Case Branca where there is the intersection with the Path 705 Anello Alviano – Guardea.
Trail 709 Montecchio Ring Trail C is a challenging 12-km hiking loop (+/-616) that starts from Montecchio heads to the ridge of Mt. Croce di Serra, with splendid views.From the summit, descend to the northern saddle between the two peaks to briefly reach the summit of Mt. Melezzole. After passing the saddle at the base of Mount Citernella, the trail continues downhill and ends on an asphalt road near Torre Petroro. From here follow the paved road downhill until returning to the center of Montecchio.
Trail 710 Anello di Melezzole is an atmospheric 9.2 km loop of hiking difficulty (+/- 432) that starts from the center of Melezzole and heads south at Posta del Prete locality climbing to the peaks of Mt. Croce di Serra (997 m) and then Mt. Melezzole (994 m). It descends to Mt. Bocciolone and then returns to Melezzole.
Trail 711 Posta del Prete Monte Pianicel Grande is a short 2.1-kilometer hiking difficulty trail that starts at Posta del Prete locality and ends at Monte Pianicel Grande.
Trail 745 Santa Restituta – Montecchio is a trail of about 6 km that starts from the beautiful Castle of Santa Restituta in the territory of Avigliano Umbro passes through loc. Posta del Prete and reaches Montecchio.
Trail 746 Alta Via dei Monti Amerini is one of the most scenic and challenging trails in our area: it starts from the territory of Montecchio passing through those of Avigliano Umbro and Guardea touching the most significant peaks of those of the Amerini Trails: mount Melezzole (994 mt.), Mount Croce di Serra (997 mt.), Pian Puosi (906 mt.) and Mount Rotondo (918 mt.), Mount Pianicel Grande (898 mt.), Campo Croci or Piani Peloni for a total of 7.1 km.
Trail 747 Melezzole-Montecchio is an approximately 6.6 km trail that starts in Melezzole climbs northward, cuts toward Mount Pufiano and then reaches Montecchio.

Il cammino dei borghi Silenti

experience the village

Events and traditions in Montecchio

Celebrations, festivals, festivals: the Montecchio area is active all year round along with committees and associations that organize all kinds of activities.

May 20 for the Montecchio Community is a very important day, celebrating the Patron Saint, St. Bernardine.

In late October, not to be missed is the Melezzole Chestnut Fair organized by the cultural association The Ancient Tower of Melezzole.

Where to stay

Discover the accommodation facilities of the municipality.