Introduction
This town lying to the north of Perugia is situated in the region called Museum Valley for magnificent history monuments and art dot it. Citta di Castello is the biggest of this region in the High Valley of the Tiber. Outside of some ugly suburbs of Citta di Castello, it affords a priceless historic centre, several large buildings and a magnificent art museum in Umbria, the second in importance after the Galleria Gazionale dell’Umbria situated in Perugia.
The city has been given many different names throughout centuries: it was called Tifernum Tiberium by Romans, Town of Happiness in the Middle Ages and Città di Castello at present. However it lacks a castle and is not a city. Città di Castello is today a growing town with paper, book, ironworks and furniture business flourishing throughout the town. It was Alberto Burri’s hometown and there are two galleries exhibiting a good part of his work. The town is proud of actress Monica Bellucci being its daughter.
The city is located on a valley which makes it easy for visitors to get around on foot.
In the walled section of Città di Castello driving is banned. But in the outside there is free parking.
What to See and Visit
The Pinacoteca Comunale is housed in a stunning architectural monument, the 15th century Palazzo Vitelli alla Cannoniera.
The picture gallery has a collection composed of pictures created by masters who were in Città di Castello when it was second in importance after Perugia. Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian created by Luca Signorelli is here as well as two pictures by Raphael. There is a booklet in English that will provide good explanation of the most remarkable works. The staircase is frescoed with paintings of Apollo, the muses, the emperor and his erudite assistants, seahorses and cherubs. Cristoforo Gherardi’s frescoes of Hannibal, Caesar and Alexander the Great are also in this art gallery.
Alberto Burri’s main works are in the Palazzo Albizzini. The artist, who gained world fame with his contemporary art including paint and physical materials, had a major effect on New Dada, pop art, Rauschenberg and Christo and Jasper Johns. An antique tobacco old house exhibits mostly his large pieces. During the winter the warehouse is not open to public unless there is a previous request.
The Romanesque cathedral has not remained intact; however it still has some gems that should not be left off. Museo del Duomo houses stunning sacred artefacts coming from different parts of Umbria. The Palazzo del Commune was for centuries the seat of the government of the region. Torre Civica erected in the Middle Ages should not be missed at least from the outside as it is under restoration.
The Palazzo de Podesta whose façade was created by Nicola Barbioni is located on the Piazza Matteotti. The Chiesa di San Francesco built at the end of the 13th century houses a copy of Marriage of the Virgin by Raphael, a picture created in this town and taken to Milan by one of Napoleon’s general who received it as an obliged present. The frescoed Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore constructed in the 15th century deserves a visit. The Palazzo Vitelli a San Egidio, whose ceilings are frescoed in grotesque style and which was commissioned in the 16th century was the Vitellis private home. The 13th century Chiesa di San Domenico houses many frescoes by masters of the Umbria school.
Tipografia Grifani-Donati stocks paper and artwork produced in the same way they started doing it over 200 years ago on their inauguration day. Pay a visit to its small museum.
Festivals and Markets
At the beginning of November Città di Castello has its festival devoted to truffle: the Mostra Mercato Tartufo e Prodotti del Bosco. Producers let visitors sample tartufo in any conceivable way and other products from the woods such as honey, mushrooms or local specialities.
Teatro degli Illuminate puts on musicals and live arts performances.
The summer performances of Cine Città di Castello Estate are held at the Pinacoteca Comunale gardens. Films for different ages and genres are on generally at weekends.
Once a month Cita di Castello plays host to The Retro Antiques and Old Things Market in Piazza Matteotti giving visitor a good chance to find unusual things.
Where to Eat
L’Osteria serves typical specialities of the region. Fish is the special on Fridays. Its asparagus is excellent at the end of spring and beginning of the summer.
Il Postale features the nouvelle Umbrian cuisine where you can try carp with hazelnuts. Its lentils and truffle dishes are delights.
How to Get to/away
BY CAR: nearby is the E45.
BY TRAIN: to Perugia (length: 1.10 hours, services: 16 a day), to Todi (length: 1 ¾ , services: 10 a day). Citta di Castello is on the lines of the Ferrovia Centrale Umbra.
