The upper tiber valley
MONTONE

The territory of Montone was inhabited in ancient Roman times and fortified during the war between the Byzantines and Longobards, until the Francs domination. A free commune in 1216, it became famous because of the Fortebraccio Family, and because of the captain Braccio Fortebraccio, lord of Perugia and Città di Castello, who overcame Umbria, making of it, a small state. After his death, the territory came back under Papal domination and then under the Vitelli Family from 1518 until 1640.
After a short French domination, Montone came back under Papal domination once more. It gained its' freedom on the 12th September 1860 and joined the Kingdom of Italy.
It is also famous because of the "Feast of the Holy Thorn" (Exhibited on the Monday after Easter, and Commemorated in August).
The town Museum conserves also, "Gonfalone della Misericordia (Pity Gonfalon) ",the fresco "Sant'Antonio", and the "Calvario (Calvary)" wooden group painted by Bartolomeo Caporali (1482): Luca Signorelli also painted for Montone the "Madonna with Child among Saints" that in the 19th century was passed to the Mancini Gallery in Città di Castello and is now at the National Gallery in London.
Braccio's fortress, that overlooks the whole village, has been renovated to emphasize the medieval style together with buildings and streets that still keep the ancient atmosphere.
Not far away is the overshadowing Rocca d'Aries and Pieve di San Gregorio in Roman - Byzantine style, with nave and two aisles and Umbria school frescoes.