Panicale
"The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian"
The Cesare Caporali Theatre
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Panicale
This is the most enchanting natural terrace to be found in Umbria (431m a.s.l.). It overlooks Lake Trasimeno and the broad valley of the River Nestor.
Formerly a military bulwark of great importance, chronicled as early as 907, repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, it achieved communal independence in 1070.
In 1416 it submitted to the rule of Braccio da Montone, and at his death came under the sway of Pope Martin V.
The original core of the San Sebastiano buildings dates back to this period. Here the "Martyrdom of St. Sebastian" by Perugino is housed, and another work of his school, the "Incoronation of the Virgin".
The handsome fountain in Piazza Grande dates back to the Quattrocento, while the nearby Town Hall, in calcareous stone, was built during the Trecento.
Interesting is the 17th century Collegiate Chapter, with its two stone portals. Panicale territory includes the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Mongiovino, a building constructed by Rocco de Tommaso from 1513 onwards, which rises not far from the production centre of Tavernelle.
worth seeing …
Il Perugino. "The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian" (1505)
Church of St. Sebastian
This particular painting by Perugino was intended to address again those problems of space which had preoccupied him since his youth. In fact the "Martyrdom" was conceived as an abstract representation, composed of geometrical figures pyramids, rectangles and circles. The central pyramid consists of four arches of considerable elegance, seemingly dancing around the body of the Saint who passively receives their arrows. In the background, there is a splendid panorama, in fact a representation of the one you can admire outside the church, looking towards Trasimeno and the Valdichiana.
The Cesare Caporali Theatre
One of the smallest historical theatre in Umbria. Founded in the XVIIth century as the "Teatro del Sole" (Theatre of the Sun), the theatre was transformed to its present appearance in 1858 by the architect Giovanni Caproni. The interior, entirely of wood, is completely decorated with plaster figures and painted medallions. The theatre has 154 seats.
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