Monterchi

  Madonna del Parto

The Upper Tiber Valley is the region covering the upper reaches of the river Tiber.      The hills on either side enclose countryside of exceptional beauty.
A land of castles, abbeys, monasteries and medieval cities. It is a region of high artistic and cultural traditions, forming a "Heritage Valley" filled with works of art from every period.
  Five minutes beyond Lippiano is Monterchi, a hill town famed for its fresco by Piero della Francesca. The Madonna del Parto, shows Mary about to give birth and is the only major Renaissance depiction of the pregnant Virgin - amid the busloads of tourists are occasional pilgrimages of Italian mothers-to-be who come to pray at the sacred picture.    

   Città di Castello

In this 'immense amphitheatre that only nature could create',Plinio il Giovane said in his 'epistolae', smiling and picturesque villages are the picture frame; Monte S. Maria Tiberina, ancient fortress visible from every corner of the valley; Città di Castello, the most important town, rich in monuments and works of art; Montone, the home of Braccio Fortebraccio;
San Giustino with its impressive Bufalini Castel;
 

 Pietralunga, ancient Roman settlement immersed in the greenery of the hills; Lisciano Niccone, medival hamlet, and Umbertide with a fortress that dominates the town.

 Perched on a hill in an enchanting position with a fantastic view of the entire Upper Tiber Valley, Citerna is of ancient Etruscan origin. To be seen: Church of S. Francesco, with interesting paintings attributed to Luca Signorelli and Raffaellino del Colle; Church of S. Michele Arcangelo with a Della Robbia Madonna, the mediaeval covered ways along the surrounding walls and the remains of the ancient fortress.

Pietralunga