Villa Quercia is located in the northernmost part of Umbria, the Upper Tiber Valley or
Valtiberina. This part of Umbria is on the boarderline with Tuscany and has always been in close cultural contact with the neighbouring region. The Tiber river runs through the entire lenth of the valley for 50 kilometres, bestowing great fertility to the soil, which is predominantly farmed with tobacco.
The area boasts an array of splendid works of art with artists such as Piero della Francesca, Luca Signorelli, Perugino, Raffael and Michelangelo having worked in the region and its close proximity.
The entire region is still very traditional and still relatively unspoilt also because the E45, which is the major artery connecting the north and south with Umbria, was only developed 15-20 years ago, prior to which Umbria was very cut off from a large part of the world.
Also from a historic point of view Umbria is highly interesting with many of the cities having Etruscan foundatios.
Umbria is devided into several comunes and Villa Quercia is located in the comune of Città di Castello:
Città di Castello originally called Tifernum Tiberinum, was already mentioned by Pliny the Younger, who erected a temple here. It was a free commune in the Midle Ages, its dominion extending to the territories beyong the Apennines. The city has a host of historical monuments with its various churches and palazzi, the most important of which are those built by the Vitelli family between the 15th and 16th centuries. Furthermore, it is a very pleasant city to just stroll around in and soak up the atmosphere on a warm summers evening.
EVENTS :
Città di Castello hosts every year the Antique Book Exhibition, first weekend in September. The National Horse Show, second weekend in September. One of the most important equestrian events in Italy. The Exhibition of Truffles and Woodland Products, second weekend in November. An event established to promote truffles and the typical natural products of the upper Tiber valley.
Perugia the regional capital sits atop high hills flanking the right bank of the Tiber river. There are many wonderful sights to visit with amongst others Palazzo dei priori (13th-15th c.) which houses the City Hall and the National Gallery of Umbria, which important paintings by Piero della Francesca, Beato Angelico, Perugino and many more.
EVENTS: Umbria Jazz, in July, one of the most important jazz events in the world. International Puppet Festival, in August-September. Eurochocolate, in October.
Other places to visit in the area are Assisi the city of St. Francis, the patron saint of Italy, with the world famous Basilica with frescoes by Cimabue and Giotto. Spello, a lovely and atmospheric city perched atop Monte Subasio. Spoleto, with important pre-Roman and Roman remains. The city is surrounded by oak forests and the historic town centre maintains the structure of many illustirous buildings of the Middle Ages. Monte S. Maria Tiberina, situated in a panoramic position overlooking the upper Tiber valley, the town retains its medieval layout.
In the neighbouring region of Tuscany, nearby to Villa Quercia you can find Cortona, which was made famous by the book and film "Under the Tuscan Sun" and is only 25 minutes by car through the mountains. Arezzo, which is very beautiful and definately worthwhile visiting is approx. 50 minutes away. Also interesting are Sansepolcro and Anghiari.
The area is teamed with wonderful places to visit, local festivals to go to, and wonderful regional cuisine to sample.