Montone stands on a hill overlooking the Upper Tiber Valley and the Carpina stream valley—a natural landscape that frames a village still preserving its typical medieval structure. Its origins date back to the late Middle Ages: even in ancient times, it was a territory dotted with towers and fortifications. Over the centuries, Montone grew as a fortified center, gaining great importance during the Middle Ages when it became linked to the fate of the powerful Fortebracci family.
The most famous member of the family was Braccio da Montone, a 15th-century condottiero: the village has always been closely linked to his figure. Within its walls, Montone preserves numerous traces of the past: historic churches such as the Church of San Francesco – built around 1300 – featuring frescoes from the Umbrian school, altars, sacred furnishings, and a 16th-century cloister.
Other notable buildings include the parish church of San Gregorio Magno (with medieval origins) and the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with Baroque paintings and altars and works from the 17th to 18th centuries. The historic center, with its walls, towers, stone streets, and medieval houses, is perfectly preserved: for this reason, Montone is today recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Outside the city walls, Montone also preserves other places and buildings of great interest, such as the Pieve di San Gregorio.
Located in a very picturesque setting along the Lana stream valley, it was built around the year 1000 in a Romanesque-Byzantine style on a pre-existing structure. It underwent significant renovations in the 16th century and once housed the 13th-century wooden group of the Deposition, now preserved at the Museum of San Francesco. About six kilometers from the town center is Rocca d’Aries, an imposing castle restored to its former glory through careful restoration. Its panoramic and strategic position overlooks a vast territory, which in the past represented an important communication route between the Tiber valley and the Adriatic. In addition to its historical and architectural heritage, Montone offers sports enthusiasts and nature lovers many opportunities: sport fishing, mountain biking, and trekking, both on foot and horseback, immersed in the breathtaking scenery of the lush hills surrounding the village.
For more information about Montone, visit the new official website Montonein.