Far from the beaten path and the throngs of tourists, in Umbria's most authentic heart, we find the small town of Montegabbione. This town is built in typical medieval style, perched high on a hill overlooking its neighbours. The town probably used to function as an observation point towards Orvieto.
Just outside of the city walls it is possible to visit the church of the Madonna delle Grazie, erected in the 17th century over a pre-existing chapel. Also worth seeing are the ruins of Aqualta Abbey, and the Franciscan convent of Scarzuola, designed by Tommaso Buzzi in the 13th century.
But Montegabbione is also an ideal destination for all nature lovers, where they can take long regenerating walks through the fields and pastures. In these landscapes, excellent wines, extra-virgin olive oils, and meats – especially pork – are produced. Also essential for the local economy are those small industries which mainly produce furniture from locally sourced wood.
In the town of Ficulle, instead, beautiful terracotta is produced following the legacy of our Etruscan ancestors. We can find various containers for liquids, mugs, typical pitchers known as panate, and the traditional truffe. Also highly developed here are inlaying, ironmaking, glass-window making, and wine cultivation.
Once you've tasted the local flavours, we recommend a visit to the churches of Santa Maria Vecchia, dating from the 13th century, of Santa Maria Nuova, and to the Castello della Sala, dating from between the 12th and 13th centuries, and finally the noble residence of Castelmaggiore.
