History Tour

The zone of the Alta Valle del Tevere is without doubt very interesting from the historical point of view, above all because of its particular geographical position, very near the confines with Toscana and the Marche region, with which it has had, in the course of the centuries, frequent social and cultural exchanges.

The land most rich, from this point of view, is, without doubt, Città di Castello, a city, the origins of which lose themselves in the antiqueness and that changed many times name and rulers, until becoming a very powerful comunity, in which lived and worked some of the most important artists of the period.

In following the city fell under the dominion of the pope and there remained until it was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy. Naturally, in the city remained the indebtable signs of the various, crossing historical periods, as do remain the works of great artists that have worked there (of which many are displayed in the comunity art gallery). All this makes Città di Castello one of the most interesting places for the lovers of art and history.

Other than Città di Castello, another center of notable historical importance is Umbertide, that in past times was already famous, with the name of Pitulum, as the market of the Tevere for the commercial exchanges between the Umbrian and the Etrurian peoples.

In following it took upon itself the name of Fratta, and alternated periods of independence with periods of submission to a neighboring city, until its fall under the dominion of the pope that lasted until the unification of Italy. In 1863 it took upon itself its actual name in honor of the children of Umberto, that in past times rebuilt the city. Passing from Umbertide one cannot pass up a visit to la Rocca, built in the last years of the fourteenth century, because the city is rich in many other works such as castles, churches and museums.

Città di Castello  and Umbertide are without doubt the most important examples of the historical richness of the Alta Valle del Tevere, but it is not needful to forget all the other lands that, even if less famous than the two mentioned, are just as rich in castles and works of art that can interest the tourist of every type, as for example Citerna that in midevial times was bitterly contested betweened Arezzo and Città di Castello, or la Repubblica di Cospaia, a small burg 2 km from S. Giustino that from 1440 to 1826 was one of the independent states and survived for almost four centuries without rulers or written laws.