Visit Umbria

VISIT UMBRIA

The location of the Monastery is unique: it overlooks a valley of woods with absolute tranquillity in the commune of Collazzone. The picturesque village of Collazzone is surrounded by medieval walls and has stunning views of the countryside. The village is inhabited throughout the year and has a few shops for basic needs.
The Monestery is ideally located in the heart of Umbria and easy to reach. Just 30 minutes from the International airport of Perugia and halfway between Rome and Florence, each about 2 hours drive.
The area is very pleasant and offers many places and points of interest. In addition to the most famous towns of Perugia and Spoleto, the small towns and villages present several attractions:

MONTECASTELLO VIBIO with its “smallest theater in the world”.
BEVAGNA with the magnificent Romanesque churches and the fair of the Gaite at the end of June where ancient medieval crafts and products are offered to the public.
MONTEFALCO with its elegant square and palaces. Famous for its hearty red wine, Sagrantino di Montefalco, an old medieval town placed in the middle of the vineyards that bare the famous grape.
SPELLO: (50 KM / 31 MILES) is known above all for the magnificent Infiorate, floral compositions created every year on the occasion of Corpus Domini. Pictures of petals and flowers that are real works of art, made by artists and inhabitants of the village, in collaboration with the many tourists who cone to Spello to participate in this unique event and admire paintings and floral decorations. Visit the new Mosaic museum at Villa Romana di Porto St. Anna. Mosaics Villa.
PITIGLIANO ( 96 KM / 59 KILES ) A charming small town also called the “Little Jerusalmem” for its ancient Synagogue and its Jewish comunity.
GUBBIO: (73 KM / 45 MILES) Beautifully positioned against the mountains, this town is worth the trip especially over Christmas where you can find Italy’s largest Christmas tree. Walk the trails to the top of Mount Ubaldo or take the individual funicular above the tree line to the top.

ASSISI: Giotto’s frescoes and the tomb of San Francesco. Just 30 minutes away from the Villa, they are definitely worth a visit with the town of Assisi.
PERUGIA: (32 KM / 20 MILES)
TRASIMENO LAKE ( 75KM / 46 MILES ) is very close to Perugia and can easily be reached by motorway in 50 minutes. It offers the possibility of boat trips to the charming Isola Maggiore and Minore, windsurfing and several restaurants where you can sample fresh fish from the lake.
BOLSENA LAKE ( 66 KM / 41 MILES ) It offers more possibilities of sailing and windsurfing as well the possibility of tasting local food cooked according to the tradition of Lazio.
DUNAROBBA :It is a petrified forest dating 3 million years ago. It is 40 minutes away from the Villa. The Fossile Forest.
ROME: (147 KM / 92 MILES) The “Eternal City” is the worlds largest open air museum and it is just a 1.5 hour drive away. Both Florence and Rome can be reached easily by train from Orvieto or Orte railway station. If you are looking for a day trip this may be your best bet. One way trips vary from 75 minutes to 2 hours.
FLORENCE: (177 KM / 109 MILES)
SIENA (132 KM/82 MILES) It can be reached by car driving along a very nice road crossing a marvelous countryside. With its towers, the Palio in Piazza del Campo (twice a year in July and August) and its many monuments Siena can be also a nice spot to visit on a daily trip.

Umbria produces some of the best food and wine that Italy has to offer. The region boasts salami of Norcia, lentils of Castelluccio, local olive and a variety of wines among which the most famous is Sagrantino of Montefalco.

COLLAZZONE:

The origin of Collazzone traces back to the VIII century AD when Attone or Azzone came and settled here under the aegis of the Duchy of Spoleto. Once the protection of Spoleto ended, the castle of Collazzone started to feel the pressure of the neighboring town of Todi, which took it over in 1220. In 1330, 500 knights and 8000 infantry soldiers assembled at the castle in order to declare war on Todi. Under the power of Eugenio IV, the castle was fortified by Malatesta and by Giovanni Paolo Baglioni, whose family held it until 1647 at which time it was turned over to the pope.

The village still has the old town walls and the typical streets of a medieval village. Among the most notable sights is the convent of San Lorenzo, once a Benedictine abbey and the church consecrated by the same saint, which possesses a marvelous wooden Virgin and Child dated around the XIV century. (the statue is now in the parish church at the main square of Collazzone). The church of San Michael and the town hall are also remarkable landmarks.