Piegaro
Hello everyone! Let's discover Piegaro, a little gem in Umbria
If you are looking for a peaceful destination surrounded by greenery, Piegaro is the ideal solution. This town in the province of Perugia, Umbria, is located along the Nestore river and is surrounded by unspoiled nature. In this text, we will talk about the geographical features and history of Piegaro, as well as the monuments and places of interest in the area. Let's get started!
Physical geography: green, hilly, and panoramic views
The territory of Piegaro is mostly hilly, with only 20% of flat land. Two hill ranges delimit the Nestore river: the one to the north is cultivated with cereals, vines, and olives, while the one to the south is covered by woods of evergreen oak, turkey oak, chestnut, and pine. The Montarale mountain (853 m above sea level) stands out among the hills, offering a spectacular view of the high Orvieto.
Piegaro belongs to the Monti del Trasimeno Mountain Community and has a climate classification of zone E, 2152 GR/G.
History: from the Romans to the present day
Founded by the Romans in 290 BC, Piegaro suffered barbarian incursions in the Middle Ages. In the thirteenth century, it was granted as a fief to the Montemarte of Montegabbione and then to the Filippeschi of Orvieto. In the sixteenth century, it was part of the domains of the Church. The name Piegaro comes from the Latin "pleca", meaning "place with many folds", referring to the orographic conformation of the territory.
Piegaro is famous for glass-making, an art that spread in the town at the end of the thirteenth century when Venetian furnaces were banned from the Republic of Venice and transferred to Murano. In the "vicoli dei vetrai" you can still admire the historic furnaces.
Monuments and places of interest: from the sacred to the cultural
Among the main monuments of Piegaro stands out the Church of San Silvestro Papa, which dates back to the fourteenth century and has a fresco with Saint John the Baptist. In the hamlet of Castiglion Fosco, there is the Church of Santa Croce, which in the past was a hospice for pilgrims.
Piegaro's cultural heritage is enriched with the cylindrical tower, the medieval walls, the sixteenth-century Palazzetto, and the neoclassical parish church. Moreover, in the surroundings of the town, there are the Benedictine Abbey of the Seven Brothers, the remains of a Franciscan convent and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta with the particular wooden crucifix from the seventeenth century.
Image gallery: panoramas, landscapes, and historical tiles
An image is worth a thousand words, isn't it? Here is a gallery of images that will allow you to discover some of the beauties of Piegaro. In one photo, you can admire Castiglion Fosco with the cylindrical tower in the foreground, in another the hamlet of Collebaldo, and in yet another, the castle of Cibottola.
Symbols: the lily and the griffins
The Piegaro coat of arms consists of two griffins supporting a golden lily.
Anthropogenic geography: hamlets and inhabitants
Piegaro is divided into some hamlets, each with its peculiarities. The hamlet of Pietrafitta is the most populous, followed by Acquaiola Gratiano, Oro, Castiglion Fosco, Collebaldo, Macereto, Abbadia Settefrati, and Pratalenza.
Conclusions: nature, history, and culture
In conclusion, Piegaro is an Umbrian town that offers a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, with nature that provides unique panoramas. History and culture are well visible in every corner of the historical center and hamlets, with sacred monuments and precious artistic heritage. If you are looking for a suggestive and peaceful destination, Piegaro is the right place for you.
