Panicale is a beautiful comune in Umbria which has been voted “uno dei borghi piu belli d'Italia” (one of the most beautiful villages in Italy) and has been awarded an “orange flag”, seal of tourism and environmental quality. A medieval hilltown, it is unbelievably quaint with surviving city walls and gates and particularly picturesque due to its location, set between Lake Trasimeno and Nestore Valley. It offers unbelievable views, historic attractions and some serious hospitality. If you're looking for a quiet corner of the world to explore at leisure, then this might be just the thing. Find a luxury villa in Umbria and spend a few days seeing what Panicale has to offer.
The hill that Panicale is built on has been settled since as far as 2000 BC by Indo-European and Italic tribes. The Etruscans took root in the area in around 1000 BC and were shortly followed by the Romans.
A castle was established, making use of the wonderful vantage point that the position on the hill offered, by the 800s AD and in the Middle Ages it was caught in wars against Florence, Rome, Perugia, the Vatican State and neighbouring towns. Despite this, those same walls still stand about the town today.
With a population of only around 5,000 people, the town is rather small but has lots to offer, all the same! Rather than somewhere over-run with tourists, Panicale is an alternative that is quieter but steeped in history.
In fact, it's so far off the beaten track that some of the sights are locked most of the time! Never fear, however, as the tourist office in town can arrange for monuments to be opened if you wish to visit.
A castle was established, making use of the wonderful vantage point that the position on the hill offered, by the 800s AD and in the Middle Ages it was caught in wars against Florence, Rome, Perugia, the Vatican State and neighbouring towns. Despite this, those same walls still stand about the town today.
With a population of only around 5,000 people, the town is rather small but has lots to offer, all the same! Rather than somewhere over-run with tourists, Panicale is an alternative that is quieter but steeped in history.
In fact, it's so far off the beaten track that some of the sights are locked most of the time! Never fear, however, as the tourist office in town can arrange for monuments to be opened if you wish to visit.
One of the major attractions in the town is the Church of San Michele which is decorated in frescoes by the famous Renaissance painter, Tommaso Fini. San Sebastiano also has a fresco by a named artist, Perugino's “Martyrdom of San Sebastiano” which has been recently restored. Though Perugino is most known as Raphael's teacher, the work is impressive and the church itself is small, beautiful and romantic, most often used for weddings.
The Church of Sant'Agostino has since been transformed into a lace museum, telling the story of the town's rich tradition in the craft and the Popes and nobility that were its patrons.
The space is also used to house art shows and concerts from time to time. Other concerts, as well as plays, are held in the Teatro (theatre) Caporali.
Surpisingly rich in culture, the little town of Panicale is sure to delight any visitors. Away from the crowds and chaos of other tourist sites, it is a particularly lovely part of Umbria to visit.
The Church of Sant'Agostino has since been transformed into a lace museum, telling the story of the town's rich tradition in the craft and the Popes and nobility that were its patrons.
The space is also used to house art shows and concerts from time to time. Other concerts, as well as plays, are held in the Teatro (theatre) Caporali.
Surpisingly rich in culture, the little town of Panicale is sure to delight any visitors. Away from the crowds and chaos of other tourist sites, it is a particularly lovely part of Umbria to visit.
Photo credits
picture 1: Bonjoisavo / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Bonjoisavo / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Bonjoisavo / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Bonjoisavo / CC BY-SA 3.0