Montone, Italian comune
Montone is a small village in the province of Perugia in Umbria, situated on a green hilltop with views over the valley below. The medieval settlement is surrounded by old stone walls and crossed by narrow, winding streets with cobblestone pavements and arched doorways that have remained unchanged since the 12th century.
The earliest records of Montone date to the 10th century when it was under the control of the Marquises of Santa Maria Tiberina, but it was later dominated by the Fortebracci family. The town's most famous son, Andrea Braccio da Montone, was made count in 1414 and later controlled Perugia until he died in battle in 1424.
The name Montone refers to Braccio Fortebracci, a famous military leader from the 1400s whose family shaped the region. Today, you can see how residents keep their traditions alive in the narrow streets and on Piazza Fortebraccio, holding historical festivals like the Festa della Santa Spina where the three districts compete against each other.
The village sits on a hilltop and is best explored on foot using stairs and steep paths, so wear comfortable shoes. Most sights such as the San Francesco church and Piazza Fortebraccio are easy to reach and connected by simple routes.
The San Francesco church holds two of the most precious relics of the site, including a thorn fragment from Christ's Passion from the 1400s and items connected to local history. These relics are venerated every Easter in festive processions, showing how much these religious treasures matter to the community.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.