Mugnano
Welcome to Mugnano: History and Geography of this Small Village
Hello friends, today we will talk about Mugnano, one of the hamlets of Perugia in the province of Perugia. With a population of only 1144 residents, this small village is located in the valley of the Cestola stream. Separated by hills, the hamlet is just 5 km south of the beautiful Trasimeno Lake and about 20 km west of the capital city.
The history of this village dates back to the Roman era, where some burial sites were found in the surroundings of Mugnano. The village was initially called "Fundus Muniani", which later became "Mugnano". However, during the Middle Ages, this place was abandoned and was repopulated by the Order of St. Benedict in the 13th century.
Discovering the Abbey of Mugnano
The Mugnano Abbey was founded in the year 1000 by the monks of St. Benedict, who needed a reference center for the surrounding areas. However, the monastery began to decline in the 14th century when the number of monks began to decrease. The monastery was then given in commendation to the Knights of the Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem.
The Mugnano Abbey still remained very important and powerful, but today the Abbey Church has been converted into a parish church. The square-shaped building with an area of 190 m<sup>2</sup> had its most important restoration in 1584 when it was equipped with two altars and a chapel. Today, the church is dedicated to St. Benedict of Norcia and dates back to 1435. A curious fact: the remains of the body of St. Antimo are located here thanks to the transfer from the Church of Saints Teresa and Sebastiano in Perugia.
The Parish Church of Benedict of Norcia
With the increase in population, the church of that time became too small to accommodate all the faithful and for this reason, on June 24, 1891, expansion work began. The orientation of the church was changed, and today the entrance is located to the east, while the apse is located to the west. The expansion project of the church belongs to the cycle of the numerous Leonine churches built in the province of Perugia in the second half of the 19th century and recalls elements of the Neo-Gothic architecture style.
Tourism in Mugnano
If you love nature and tranquility, Mugnano is the right place to spend your holidays. The hamlet is just 5 km from Lake Trasimeno, which is the fourth largest lake in Italy. The surrounding hills offer breathtaking panoramic views, and hiking and cycling enthusiasts can enjoy scenic and well-marked trails.
Furthermore, if you also want to experience Umbrian cuisine, this is the right place for you. The Mugnano area offers typical Umbrian dishes, such as the famous crostini with sausage, Castelluccio lentils, porcini mushrooms, and local cold cuts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mugnano is a small gem in the province of Perugia full of history and natural beauty to discover. With its parish church of Benedict of Norcia and the panoramic view of the Umbrian hills, Mugnano is definitely a destination not to be missed if you find yourself in Umbria.
