Located in northwestern Umbria on the Tuscan border, Lisciano Niccone is a small village that rises above the valley of the Niccone stream, overlooking the road that links the Tiber valley with Lake Trasimeno and the Valdichiana.

HISTORY

The Etruscan and Roman archeological finds discovered in the area bear witness to the presence of human settlements in ancient times. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Lisciano became an important strategic point for passing through the Byzantine corridor, one of the main routes linking Rome with Ravenna, traces of which can be seen in the nearby castles and fortresses. In the Middle Ages the area was included in the dominion of Perugia, and later came under the control of the Papal States (1479) until the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy (1861).

ART, CULTURE, ENVIRONMENT

Interesting sights among the many art treasures the area has to offer include the Castle of Lisciano Niccone, built in about the 9th-10th century at the top of the hill that rises above the village, and, nearby, the Castles of Reschio, Sorbello and Pierle. Religious buildings worthy of a visit are the Church of San Tommaso, the Church of Santa Maria delle Corti and the Church of San Nicolò, which has an altarpiece by Eusebio da San Giorgio (15th century), a pupil of Raphael. Nearby, the road that leads to Tuoro offers stupendous views of Lake Trasimeno. Just a bit farther ahead one reaches the hamlet of Borghetto, site of the ferocious battle between Hannibal and the Roman army led by the consul Flaminius. The area is one of great environmental interest: the cool waters of the streams and hikes on ecological routes, together with genuine, wholesome foods prepared according to local tradition, offer visitors a natural environment that has remained intact.