Città di Castello is located in the northwestern part of Umbria, stretching along the Upper Tiber Valley on the border with Tuscany, not far from the Marches and very important cities such as Florence, Siena, Perugia and Assisi.
Tifernum Tiberinum was the ancient name of the Roman municipium by which the area of present-day Città di Castello was identified. Hence the name “Tifernati” by which its inhabitants are identified today. Actually, during Roman times, there were two towns with this name:
HISTORY
After being subjected to various dominations and being sacked and destroyed by Totila and the Goths in the 1500s, it was rebuilt and fortified and given first the name Castrum Felicitatis, then, beginning in the 1900s, the definitive name Castrum Castelli.
It established itself as an autonomous municipality in the first half of the 12th century, and in the 15th century it was ruled by the Vitelli family. During the Middle Ages it went through periods of independence interspersed with periods under the papacy, Florence and Perugia.
Only in the 16th century did Cesare Borgia finally conquer the city for the Papal States, under whose rule it remained (except for the brief Napoleonic period) until the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy (1860).
ART AND CULTURE.
In Città di Castello one breathes art and culture in all corners of its walls, built in the 1500s. The enchanting atmosphere of the historic center, the elegant Renaissance architecture, the courtyards and loggias of the noble palaces such as Palazzo Vitelli at the CannonieraRegno d'Italia (1860). now home to the Pinacoteca Comunale, second in Umbria only to the Galleria Nazionale in Perugia in terms of the importance of its collection. Recently expanded with new rooms, it holds masterpieces by Raphael, Luca Signorelli, Ghirlandaio, Raffaellino del Colle and Pomarancio.
Cloisters and aisles of churches such as the monumental Duomo (11th century),
- the treasures of the Museum of Sacred Art
- the church of Santa Maria Maggiore
- of Santa Maria delle Grazie
Città di Castello was the birthplace of Alberto Burri, March 12, 1915, one of the great masters of international contemporary art, who left all his works to the town where he was born.
Other important places of interest are:
- the Cathedral Museum, adjacent to the cathedral
- the Weaving Museum, which traces the history of Umbrian Canvas weaving,
- the Grifani-Donati Printing Museum, with printing presses from various eras in perfect working order.
ARCHITECTURE.
Città di Castello is characterized by a very special history that has given this area a preciousness of artifacts and structures that can still be viewed. This makes it a destination for tourists from all over Italy and the world, as it is rich in historical and architectural beauty.
Città di Castello is characterized by many places of interest and as many monuments. Civil architecture includes the Civic Tower, known as the Bishop's Tower located in the city center.
There is also the Palazzo del Comune, known as Palazzo Dei Priori built in about 1300 by Angelo da Orvieto.
A popular and famous religious building for Città di Castello is the Circular Bell Tower of the Duomo, which is very characteristic and a must-see.
Also located in Città di Castello is the Church of St. Francis, a 14th-century church modified in Baroque style inside.
This religious complex is also home to the “Marriage of the Virgin,” or rather, a copy of Raphael's painting dating from around 1500.
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