Civitella Benazzone
max. temperature (°C) | style="background: ## FFFFCC; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 4.1 | style="background: ## FFFFCC; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 4.8 | style="background: ## FFFFCC; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 7.3 | style="background: ## FFFF99; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 11.1 | style="background: ## FFCC66; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 15.9 | style="background: ## FFCC66; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 20.8 | style="background: ## FFCC66; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 24.5 | style="background: ## FFCC66; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 25.1 | style="background: ## FFCC66; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 20.9 | style="background: ## FFCC66; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 15.4 | style="background: ## FFFF99; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 10.1 | style="background: ## FFFFCC; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 5.3 | style="background: ## FFFF99; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 14.2 |- ! style="background: ## 99CCCC; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | Avg. minimum temperature (°C) | style="background: ## CCCCFF; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 2.3 | style="background: ## CCCCFF; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 2.7 | style="background: ## CCCCFF; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 4.5 | style="background: ## 9999FF; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 7.9 | style="background: ## 6666CC; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 12.4 | style="background: ## 6666CC; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 16.8 | style="background: ## 6666CC; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 19.3 | style="background: ## 6666CC; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 19.8 | style="background: ## 6666CC; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 16.9 | style="background: ## 6666CC; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 12.8 | style="background: ## 9999FF; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 7.4 | style="background: ## CCCCFF; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 3.8 | style="background: ## 9999FF; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 9.9 |- ! style="background: ## 99CCCC; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | Precipitation (mm) | style="background: ## CCCCFF; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 76 | style="background: ## 9999FF; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 70 | style="background: ## 9999FF; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 73 | style="background: ## 66FFFF; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 86 | style="background: ## 66CCFF; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 70 | style="background: ## CCCCFF; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 58 | style="background: ## CCCCFF; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 43 | style="background: ## CCCCFF; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 51 | style="background: ## 66CCFF; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 74 | style="background: ## 9999FF; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 112 | style="background: ## 9999FF; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 102 | style="background: ## CCCCFF; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 83 | style="background: ## 99CCFF; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 947 |- ! style="background: ## 99CCCC; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | Days with frost | style="background: ## CCCCFF; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 6.1 | style="background: ## CCCCFF; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 5.5 | style="background: ## CCCCFF; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 3.8 | style="background: ## 9999FF; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 1.1 | style="background: ## 6666CC; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 0 | style="background: ## FFFF66; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 0 | style="background: ## FFFF66; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 0 | style="background: ## FFFF66; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 0 | style="background: ## 6666CC; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 0 | style="background: ## 6666CC; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 0.2 | style="background: ## 9999FF; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 1.6 | style="background: ## CCCCFF; color:## 000080; text-align:center;" | 4.6 | style="background: ## 9999FF; color:## FFFFFF; text-align:center;" | 23.9 |}
History of the village
Civitella Benazzone has ancient roots, as evidenced by the discovery of various Roman artifacts. However, the village has medieval origins with the construction of a castle, around the end of the 10th century. Over the centuries, it passed under the control of various lordships including the Perugia, the Montefeltro, the Malatesta, the Baglioni, and the Sassatelli before being incorporated into the Papal States. In 1860, it became part of the Kingdom of Italy.
Places of interest
The fortified village, which develops around the church of San Michele Arcangelo, presents itself with a scarped appearance due to its position on top of a hill. From its well-preserved walls, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the valley below. The religious building dates back to the 13th century and houses an ancient altarpiece depicting the Madonna and Child with Saints, a work by the local painter Andrea di Giovanni, from the 15th century. A short distance from the church is the town hall, formerly the seat of the Pretorio, and the bell tower, from a later period. Lower down, along the course of the Resina stream, there was another church, that of the Madonna della Cintola (built in the 18th century), destroyed in the earthquake of 1997 and not yet completely rebuilt. The requests and proposals of the residents for the resumption of work are still ongoing.
Economy
The economy of the village is mainly based on agriculture, with the production of olive oil and the maintenance of some small farms. In the village, there are also some small commercial activities, including a grocery store, a bar, and a pizzeria. In the surrounding area, it is possible to go on various naturalistic excursions, including a visit to the nearby Trasimeno Lake Nature Reserve.
Traditions and events
In August, the festival of San Michele, the patron saint of Civitella Benazzone, takes place, with the organization of various events including shows, gastronomic stands, and the blessing of the animals. A characteristic event is the "Palio delle balle di paglia," a kind of race with large bales of hay through the streets of the village, which also involves children.
Curiosities
One curiosity concerns the presence of a fountain inside the village called the "lion fountain." It is said that during the siege of Civitella by the Estensi in the 16th century, the defenders decided
