MONTONE
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Montone
That this ancient Umbrian fortified pagus later passed under Roman dominion is testified by local finds, although its layout today is mediaeval. Around year 800, the first castles sprang up along the road from Tiferno to Gubbio. In all probability Montone grew in the vicinity of the Aries Castle (aries = montone, or ram). Governed by two consuls with their own codes of law, like the other free cities, in 1200 it became part of the Seignory of Perugia.
In the course of the century the Fortebraccio family consolidated its might. Inhabitants of Montone since its earliest times, they had built a castle here, which was destroyed by Barbarossa and rebuilt in year 1000. The most illustrious member of the family was Andrea Braccio, born in 1368 in Montone, according to some sources, and in Perugia to others. One of the very greatest condottieri, he overpowered the whole of Umbria, became Lord of Perugia, Prince of Capua, Governor of the Abruzzi, friend of Florence and enemy of Pope Martin V. He died during the siege of Aquila in 1424. In 1473 his son Carlo, a general of the Venetian militia, brought in gift to the people of Montone a thorn from Christ's crown.
This relic is still fêted today on Easter Monday and on the Sunday after Ascension Day, when its advent is remembered with a procession in costume.
In 1518 the count-ship of Montone passed over to the Vitelli family, in 1640 to the Church and after a plebiscite was united to the kingdom of Italy in 1865.
To be seen:
the Parish Church of S. Gregorio, built around year 1000 in Romanesque-Byzantine style. With three naves, it has a single circular apse which once housed a XIIth century polychrome wooden Calvary, today in the Church of San Francesco.
The Collegiata; this chapter was built prior to 1310, in the form of a Latin cross, with a circular apse and single nave with a gilt coffered ceiling. The walls of the apse and those above the choir are finely frescoed by Parenti, while over the attar on the right is a Madonna of the school of Perugino.
Church of San Francesco: a XIVth century Gothic construction with a monu-mental portal and an inlaid door; it has a single nave and a polygonal apse. To the left is the ex-voto altar commissioned by Carlo Fortebraccio in 1475, with frescoes by Bartolomeo Caporali; to the right, the altar of the Madonna dei Soccorso with frescoes, according to some sources, again by Caporali, and to others by Benedetto Bonfigli in 1482. The Cinquecento Magi-strates pew, the 13-stall choir and the pulpit are all in finely inlaid wood. The Cinquecento cloister of the adjoining convent is well worth a visit.
The municipal historic archives: with papal bulls ('300-'600) and brevets ('400 and '500); the original statute of Montone (1586); charters and memorials of the Fortebraccio family and a map of Braccio's state at the time of his death.
The Ethnographic and Civic Museums; the ruins of the Rocca di Braccio de-stroyed by Sixtus IV in 1478, and the Rocca di Aries, about 6 km from Montone, with a fine view and now in course of restoration.
Waiting to be discovered:
the cloister of the Church of S. Francesco, the ancient Hospital of S. Fedele, the narrow, winding alleys with fascinating vestiges at every bend. The Fortebraccio Horse Club, for lovely rides through the verdant Umbrian hills.
Not to be missed:
the exposition of the Holy Thorn (Easter Monday); the revocation of the donation of the Thorn, in August with its procession in costume; the trade-fair of truffles and woodland produce (1st Sunday of November).
What to buy:
wine, honey, wild mushrooms, truffles, lace.
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