Like so many of the towns of central Italy, the history of Citta di Castello (castle town) is lost in the mists of time. The Umbrian city, lying in the Perugia province of Umbria region, was probably Etruscan (the ancient and now lost tribe which predated the Romans). Roman it certainly was - they dubbed it Tifernum Tiberinum in recognition of its position on the Tiber floodplain. Pliny built a magnificent villa here, it was sacked by the Goths in the late Roman era, and in the Middle Ages was annexed by the Borgias, then battled over by the Guelphs and Ghibellines.
Such is the colourful history of so many Umbrian cities, and Citta di Castello has entered the 21st century in delightfully good shape. Umbria may be firmly on the tourist map these days and has a surfeit of beautiful medieval towns, but most visitors focus on Perugia, Assisi, Spello, Orvieto, Gubbio and the like. And so, although it springs into life during the famed Festival of Chamber Music each year, you may find Citta di Castello blessedly quiet. A tidy medieval centre is built largely of brick - the attractive local sandstone is so soft that it quickly erodes.
Museums include the excellent Pinacoteca, with works by Raphael, Lorenzetto, Ghirlandeio and Signorelli, plus a clutch of fine sculptures. Views are decidedly mixed on the Cathedral (Duomo), the victim of a misguided 18th century renovation, but it does have an excellent museum in the Museo del Duomo. The trio of good museums is completed by the Collezione Tessile di Tele Umbra, which lies just off the main square. It's easy to eat well in Umbria and Citta di Castello is no exception. You'll find excellent restaurants, with Amici Miei much recommended by visitors. New arrivals can get information at the tourist office in the Logge Bufalini, situated off Piazza Matteotti.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, just to whet your appetite,
as well as links to individual towns in Citta di Castello (top left);
See also Citta di Castello hotels (full listings) and our Citta di Castello hotel map.
