Montone, Umbria, Italy

Montone, Medieval hilltop town, Umbria, Italy

Voted one of the 10 prettiest hamlets in Italy, Montone is an absolute jewel! Only 10 minutes drive away from the apartment at Villa Bastiola, this medieval hilltop town is beautiful preserved with stunning views over the Upper Tiber Valley.

It is host to the annual Umbrian Film Festival when a huge silver screen is hung in the centre of the piazza and films are watched in the warmth of a summer evening under the Umbrian skies. In 2004, Colin Firth was awarded the status of Honorary Citizen of Montone and given the key to the town by the Mayor as part of the Umbria Film Festival.

The cobbled streets wind their way up to the top of the town, passing through Piazza Fortebraccio (pictured left), where there are stunning views every where you look!

At the top of the town is the excellent restaurant, Erbaluna, well worth the walk up.

In the autumn, the narrow streets are packed with stalls for the Festa del Bosco (Woodland Fair), selling everything from Porcini mushrooms, to cheeses, olive oil, hot chocolate and home-made crafts and the wonderful smell of roast chestnuts abounds.

Montone revels in its medieval history and every year, the villagers dress up in wonderful medieval costumes and parade through the centre to celebrate the holy relic, the Santo Spino (Holy Thorn), given as a gift to the legendary mercenary, Fortebraccio, ruler of Montone in the middle ages. The Sbandieratori (Flag Throwers) of Sansepolcro demonstrate their skills in a colourful spectacle not to be missed.

All in all, a fantastic little village, perfect for a days sightseeing and only 15 minutes drive from the apartment at Villa Bastiola.