A Stroll Through Montefalco
Umbria is known for producing olive oil, wine, and grains
Umbria is a part of Italy that is completely landlocked. What it lacks in coastline it makes up for in rolling hills, fields of grains, bright poppies in springtime, olive groves, vineyards, and its many hill towns.
Some of the hill towns, such as Spello, Assisi, and Perugia, are well known and attract many visitors. Others are smaller and quieter, with fewer tourists. Those small towns, Panicale, Rasiglia, and Bevagna for example, are especially delightful.
On a recent trip to Umbria, after a morning of farmhouse cooking and a visit to a winery, we (a group from Let’s Cook in Umbria) made a quick detour to the village of Montefalco, not far from Bevagna. Montefalco is small (less than 6,000 residents), quiet, and uncrowded. It is a slice of everyday Italy.
Montefalco is on the list of the Borghi Più Belli d’Italia (Italy’s most beautiful villages). A walled hill town, it still has its Medieval gates and streetscape.
Old stone buildings, pretty windows, and flowers are part of Montefalco’s charm
It also has a most enviable location – perched high above the surrounding valley with panoramic views of the Umbrian countryside and, most importantly, of the Sagrantino vineyards. Montefalco Sagrantino DOC, a bold, dry red wine, is the areas claim to fame and a must-try when in this area.
We began our walk through Montefalco at the Belvedere Viewpoint near Porta della Rocca, one of the Medieval gates into the town. It has spectacular views over the valley below, making it clear why Montefalco is known as the Balcony of Umbria.
The Piazza del Comune is the heart of the village and where the town hall is located. It is also where many cafes can be found and where the market and various festivals take place. Just before the piazza is the Church & Museum of San Francesco. I’ll have to explore that on a future visit!
Heading downhill towards Porta di Sant’Agostino, one of Montefalco’s Medieval gates.
From the piazza, a wander down “main street” reveals a street lined with shops, galleries, a small hotel, and restaurants. Lots of opportunities to buy a bottle of Sagrantino or other local products. Keep walking and find Porta di Sant’Agostino, another of the town’s Medieval gates.
Small lanes branch out from the central street, many of them filled with stone houses, flower filled windows, arched alleyways, and pretty doors. As a bonus, they often end with stunning views over the valleys below.
Our detour to Montefalco gave us only enough time for a brief introduction to the town. I will need a return trip and more time to better explore all that the village has to offer. One thing is clear to me, the more time I spend in Umbria, the more I fall in love with this unique part of Italy.
Now that is my kind of Farmacia!