Umbria never disappoints, it always knows how surprise the traveller in search of quiet corners to visit. Culture, art and the most beautiful scenery: this is Montone’s calling card, a charming medieval village surrounded by the green hills of the Upper Tiber Valley, which thanks to its artistic wealth and its yet unexplored charm has been inserted among the 100 Most Beautiful Villages in Italy. But that’s not all, in Montone waves the Orange Flag, the prestigious touristic and environmental mark assigned by the Italian Touring Club to small municipalities of the Italian hinterland who distinguish themselves by offering excellence and quality hospitality.

It is difficult not to be enchanted by the magic of the place and equally difficult to plan an itinerary because, walking through its narrow and tortuous streets surrounded by impervious walls, one is overcome by that utter silence and tranquillity which invite us not to follow a precise route but to concentrate on what the eye can see: indescribable views coloured in green by oak forests and olive groves and fascinating architecture where one can still breathe that typical medieval atmosphere. Here the buildings have preserved their ancient structures so as not to ruin its image: step after step, the attention of the observant traveller is now drawn to the delightful artisans’ workshops next to the Borgo Vecchio Entrance where wrought iron, lace and wood are crafted, then to the houses perched on the ancient city walls and again to the splendid churches like San Francesco, to the gardens and, all of this, only serves to render the village an open-air monument.

This place is not, however, fixed in the past. Montone is far from static in as much as the atmosphere is always sparkling with something to do and something magical to excite you: the village, with its Fortebraccio square which, in July, hosts the prestigious Umbria Film Festival and transforms itself into an open-air cinema or still, among the more notable events, the historic commemoration of the Gift of the Holy Thorn, the biennial Exhibition of Master Blacksmiths and, in autumn, the entertainment is permeated by the scents of woodland fruits during the Festa del Bosco which aims to per familiarize visitors with local handicraft and food and wine in the company of street artists, jugglers and bands which liven up the atmosphere even more.

As well as architecture, the table is also tied to the past and offers the flavours of the past: the cuisine is genuine and invites one to taste delights such as cured meats, cheeses, local homemade bread, and every type of game etc., accompanied by excellent wines from a territory known for its grapes of great quality. The ideal place to combine history with food and wine is the Locanda del Capitano. It is situated in the heart of the village, in a residence belonging to the Fortebracci, an ancient a noble local family, where one can try the delights served by its restaurant, a welcoming and intentionally small establishment which also offers its clients ten rooms, all furnished with great care and antique furniture.