Monte Santa Maria Tiberina
Welcome to Monte Santa Maria Tiberina
Hello friends, today I will talk to you about Monte Santa Maria Tiberina, a beautiful town in Umbria located west of Città di Castello. First of all, I want to talk to you about its hilly location which makes it very green and rich in chestnut, oak, beech and holm oak woods. Thanks to this natural wealth, Monte Santa Maria Tiberina is famous for the production of porcini, russula, Cantharellus cibarius, Hydnum repandum, and black truffles, the latter particularly prized.
But that's not all, agriculture is one of the main activities in the area, and the cultivation of Vitis and Olea europaea are widespread, along with sheep, cattle and horse breeding. Personally, I love visiting farms to discover local production and bring home some typical products.
The history of Monte Santa Maria Tiberina
The Marquisate of Monte Santa Maria was founded in the 11th century by the Bourbon del Monte family and maintained its own independence until 1803. This was a zone of franchise between Tuscany and the Papal States, and was governed by an elective monarchy. The reigning marquis was the eldest member of the family of any branch.
Among the many marquises who succeeded each other, I want to tell you about Guido di Montemigiano, the first regent marquis (1250-93), married to Agnese dei Buonconti and then to Elena Feliciani . In 1355, Emperor Charles IV of Luxembourg formally invested Ugolino with the montesco territory, conferring mero and misto imperio on the marquises of Monte Santa Maria Tiberina. Thanks to this diploma, the marquisate could administer civil and criminal justice, mint coins (the 'montesca', rare pieces with fleur-de-lis and cross markings) and offer political asylum to fugitives from other states. In addition, duels were allowed without fear of papal excommunication.
The marquis reigned until 1815, when Ferdinand III of Tuscany, by virtue of the decisions of the Congress of Vienna, took possession of the montesco territory, ending the marquisal domain. But the history of Monte Santa Maria Tiberina is still visible today, for example, in the Bourbon del Monte Santa Maria general coat of arms.
What to see in Monte Santa Maria Tiberina
The town of Monte Santa Maria Tiberina offers truly beautiful things to see. To start, in the main square of the town, you can admire the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with its Romanesque-Gothic facade and beautifully decorated interior. In addition, the Bourbon del Monte Palace, the former residence of the marquises of Monte Santa Maria, now houses a school and a municipal library, but is still worth a visit to admire its Renaissance architectural style.
For nature lovers, the Tevere River Park offers interesting itineraries within a protected area. You can see about 200 species of birds, amphibians, and reptiles, including the gray heron, peregrine falcon, sparrowhawk, and black kite.
Finally, the Civic Museum of Sacred Art, set up inside a deconsecrated church, houses numerous religious works of art of considerable historical and aesthetic value.
Holidays in Monte Santa Maria Tiberina
Monte Santa Maria Tiberina is famous for its festivals, some of which have a long tradition. For example, the Black Truffle Festival, held every November, is an opportunity to taste this delicious tuber that grows in the woods of the town.
In the first week of September, there is the patronal festival of Santa Maria Assunta, with solemn processions and stalls of typical products. In June, on the occasion of Pentecost, there is the famous "Race of the Candles," similar to that of Gubbio and other Umbrian towns, but with wooden candles instead of votive candles.
Conclusion
As you can see, Monte Santa Maria Tiberina is a fascinating place, rich in history, nature, and artistic beauty, where you can stroll, relax, and discover Italian culture. If you have the opportunity, I recommend visiting it and appreciating its wonderful atmosphere. Thank you for following me on this virtual tour, and see you next time!
