Montone

Montone is a town of 1,600 people (2019) in Umbria in central Italy. It is a peaceful hill town in a beautiful panoramic position between two tributaries of the Tiber river.

A street in Montone

It used to be controlled by the families which dominated the area, such as the Del Monte, the Fortebraccio and the Vitelli families. However, around the middle of the 16th century the town was ceded to the Papal State.

Today it is a lively, typical Italian hamlet and was elected one of Italy´s most beautiful villages. Situated high up on a ridge, it watches over the valley of the river Carpina, facing the Appenin peaks far in the back, a fully preserved surrounding wall, on top of it the small houses with colorful fronts, nestled around the piazza.

Montone is just off the E45 highway going north-south from Cesena to Perugia.

• Church of San Francesco. This is a 14th-century Gothic church. It has an attractive and unusual wooden door dating from 1514, and an important group of frescoes and other art of the early Renaissance, including interesting wood sculptures. The main painter represented is Bartolomeo Caporali. (updated Jun 2017)

Montone offers a variety of places to stay - from hotels in town to country houses in the vicinity.

• 🌍 L'Ariete, Corlo 38 (exit from the E45: Montone/Pietralunga; follow the road SP 201 towards Pietralunga for 3 km (do not follow the road-signs for Montone, but continue towards Pietralunga)), ☏ +39 339 290 94 93, fax: +39 075 9033115. A charming agriturismo run by two Austrians. Apartments: €60-€100/day; Suites: €70-€120/day; Grand Suites: €90-€180/day. 

Montone is a pleasant base for trips to a whole range of other towns in northern Umbria and southern Tuscany, including Arezzo, Perugia, Assisi and Gubbio.