Brufa
Welcome to Brufa: history, geography, and demographics
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Brufa, a splendid hamlet of the municipality of Torgiano, located in the province of Perugia, in the heart of Umbria. Brufa is situated on the top of a hill that serves as a border between the territories of Perugia, Assisi and Foligno, thus dominating the Tevere Valley and Umbrian Valley. According to ISTAT's report of 2001, the village and its surroundings are inhabited by 623 people.
The history of Brufa takes us back in time: its ancient name was Castel Grifone, and was inhabited by the Umbrians, then by the Etruscans and ancient Romans. In 1387, the condottiero Giovanni Acuto defeated the troops of Perugia, which lost the dominion of Umbria. In the castle of Brufa, the famous Francesco d'Assisi was also imprisoned, who met Giovanni da Capestrano there. In the second half of the seventeenth century, Giovanni Andrea Angelini Bontempi (musician, architect, painter, writer, engraver of precious stones, and watchmaker) purchased buildings and lands in the area. After his death, he was buried in the Church of Saints Cosma and Damiano, built-in castle. After the destruction of the small church, his remains were transferred to the parish church of Ermete martire.
Economy and events
The economy of Brufa is mainly focused on agritourism and wine production, with extensive vineyards of Controlled Designation of Origin (Torgiano) along the hillside. However, culture is also a strength of the village: in the last decade of August, an appreciated popular festival (''Brufa in Festa'') takes place. For contemporary art lovers, on the other hand, since 1987, the contemporary sculpture event entitled ''Scultori a Brufa - La Strada del Vino e dell'Arte'' has been held every year. It is a permanent open-air exhibition of modern sculptures by esteemed artists placed permanently along the hill road that connects Ponte San Giovanni (Perugia) to Torgiano.
Monuments and places of interest
Unfortunately, the castle of Brufa no longer exists in its entirety, but the structure of the central part of the village still preserves its traces. On the other hand, the Church of S. Ermete is still present and is a very suggestive place of worship.
Scultori a Brufa - La Strada del Vino e dell'Arte
The permanent exhibition of contemporary sculptures called ''Scultori a Brufa - La Strada del Vino e dell'Arte'' is a real treasure for modern art enthusiasts. Every year, since 1987, a different artist leaves his work permanently along the hill road that connects Ponte San Giovanni to Torgiano, contributing superbly to enriching the agricultural and urban environment of Brufa. The sponsored exhibition has seen the participation of numerous national and international famous artists so far, from Massimo Pierucci to Beverly Pepper, through Marcello Sforna, Mario Pizzoni, Agapito Miniucchi, and many others.
In conclusion
Brufa is truly an enchanting place, rich in history and charm. The beauty of the hillside landscape, the high-quality wine production, and the permanent exhibition of contemporary art make Brufa a tourist destination of great interest. If you are in the vicinity, do not miss the opportunity to visit this village that will captivate you at first sight!
