Citta della Pieve Hotels - Umbria

A splendid medieval town, in the shape of an eagle. This is Città della Pieve, just a few kilometers from Perugia, and inhabited since the time of the Etruscans. In the center of the town, great part of which is enclosed within a thick defence wall, lies the cathedral dedicated to Saints Gervasio and Protasio. This is the church or "Pieve" after which the town was named.

It is inside Citta della Pieve's various houses of worship that the works of two great local artists can be seen - artists known by the names of Perugino and Pomarancio. In the oratory of Santa Maria dei Bianchi there is a splendid fresco by Perugino, completed in 1504, in which the Adoration of the Magi is depicted, complete with backdrop of what, at that time, was a decidedly contemporary Città della Pieve.

The 14th century Castle is situated just a few steps away from the Church of San Francesco, now known as the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Fatima, in which to admire a stunning Pentecost by Pomerancio. Not to be missed: the 38meter high Torre del Pubblico, and the Churches of Santa Maria delle Mercede and of Sant'Agostino.

In the month of August, Città della Pieve hosts a centuries old event: that of the Palio dei Terzieri. This re-enactment of a bull hunt is preceded by a historic parade through the town center involving some seven hundred participants, all dressed in elaborate medieval costume.