Paciano
Discovering Paciano: the medieval village of Umbria
Paciano is a small municipality in Umbria, belonging to the province of Perugia, located on mount Petrarvella. The town has been included among the most beautiful villages in Italy, thanks to its historical and naturalistic beauty, and is famous for the production of high-quality oil and wine. Let's discover together the main features of this charming medieval village.
Physical geography
Paciano is located within the basin of the Arno river and has a climatic classification of zone E, with 2187 GR/G. The municipality is part of the Trasimeno Medio Tevere Mountain Community, has been recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, and is part of the list of "Città dell'Olio" (Oil Cities).
History
The medieval village of Paciano, of fourteenth-century origin, was given as a fiefdom by Charles IV of Luxembourg to Guglielmo di Beaufort. Later, it was incorporated into the Papal States during the first half of the sixteenth century.
Monuments and places of interest
Within the walls of the village, one can admire various historical monuments and places of interest. These include the town hall, the Rastrella and Fiorentina gates, the Orlando Tower, and the Church of San Giuseppe, where a painting titled "Madonna della Misericordia" can be found, dating back to the end of the fifteenth century. Other places of interest include the Confraternity of the Holy Sacrament and the Church of San Carlo Borromeo, famous for the works of art preserved inside.
Outside the walls of the village, one can visit the Church of the Madonna della Stella, adorned with frescoes by the Perugian painter Scilla Pecennini, the Church of San Salvatore in Ceraseto, and Monte Pausillo.
Society
Paciano has a population of 954 inhabitants and has a foreign minority consisting mainly of Romanian citizens, who represent 4.51% of the resident population, according to ISTAT data from 2015.
Culture
Among the most important cultural events organized in Paciano is the Olive Oil Festival, which takes place during the first decade of December and celebrates the most famous typical product of the area. During the summer, the Trasimeno Blues festival is also organized, a series of concerts that animate the historic center of the village. Finally, the "La discesa a bestia" cart race and the Mille & Una Umbria initiative are two other occasions to discover the beauties of Paciano.
Administration
The municipality of Paciano does not have twinning with other cities or towns, but is still involved in promoting tourism and typical products of Umbria.
Conclusions
Paciano is a charming medieval village, immersed in the nature of Umbria, and with a lively community that promotes local tourism and the valorization of typical products. Among its historical and artistic beauties, and the events that animate its historic center, Paciano represents an ideal destination for a journey between history, culture and gastronomy.
