Matigge
Matigge: a small hamlet with an ancient and prestigious past
Matigge is a hamlet located in the Trevi plain, a few kilometers north of the main town and bordering the municipality of Foligno. The village is also known as Torre Matigge, thanks to the presence of an ancient medieval tower that dominates the surrounding territory. Originally, Matigge was part of the three Terzieri that constituted Trevi and still participates in the city's annual Palio. According to Istat data from 2001, the village has 1,095 residents.
The presence of numerous villas dating back to the Roman era (or even earlier) constitutes the historical nucleus of Matigge. The ancient name of the village seems to be "Matidia", in honor of Salonina Matidia, niece of Trajan and mother-in-law of Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus.
The medieval defense tower
During the Middle Ages, during the communal struggles, the Matigge area acquired a particular strategic importance, and it was decided to build a defense tower to protect the surrounding territory. The tower was started in 1395 and from the beginning had a caretaker and a bell tower, to be used in case of enemy attack. The structure, still in good condition today, presents an intriguing peculiarity: apparently, there is no entrance door in the base. According to the original construction specification, the entrance was supposed to be underground, but no one has found the exact point recently. The tower was assaulted and conquered by the condottiero Franceschetto Cybo in 1488 and subsequent fortification works were carried out in 1539 and 1601.
The economy and events of the village
Matigge's economy is mainly based on the cultivation of olives, thanks to the presence of numerous oil mills. In addition, there is a fair amount of agritourism businesses that offer typical products and hospitality to tourists.
The village participates in the Trevi Palio every year and is characterized by being a welcoming and peaceful environment, ideal for those looking for a relaxing holiday in contact with nature.
Monuments and art places in Matigge
Fascinating for its medieval history, Matigge is also rich in monuments and art places that are worth a visit. Among these, the medieval tower stands out for its majesty and peculiarity, but it is not the only place to visit. The Romanesque church of San Nicolò dates back to 1195 and has a fresco from the early sixteenth century in its apse. Not far from the tower is the Romanesque church of San Donato, characterized by the presence of Roman stone blocks.
External links
To learn more about Matigge and its history, you can consult the page dedicated to the hamlet on the Trevi municipality's website or on the Umbria Region's website. In addition, the Taccuino di W. Thayer offers a detailed description of the churches of Matigge and their artistic treasures.
