Cannara: Franciscan Heritage and Festa della cipolla

Cannara lies on the left bank of the Topino River, in the heart of the Umbra Valley. Among the features that make it a distinctive travel destination are its Franciscan heritage, art and museum, the rural landscape around Piandarca, and the Cipolla di Cannara. The time of year may also be a factor: the traditional Festa della cipolla takes place in September. This makes it possible to choose a hotel in Cannara to suit your travel plans and interests.

Culture and Franciscan history

The Chiesa di San Matteo was built between 1788 and 1793 to a design by Giuseppe Brizi, an architect from Assisi. The church also houses a painting by Niccolò di Liberatore, known as “L’Alunno”. It depicts the Madonna and Child enthroned between Saints Francis and Matthew. The building’s history and the painting’s subject offer two distinct ways to explore the church.

The Chiesa di San Francesco is also connected with Franciscan history: it is the church of the Third Franciscan Order, which Saint Francis conceived right here in Cannara. Another site associated with this heritage is the Tugurio di San Francesco. It is located in Palazzo Majolica Landrini, in Piazza del Terz’Ordine Francescano. The building and square names help place this site within Cannara.

The Museo “Città di Cannara” is housed in the former Salesian Sisters’ convent. Among the objects on display is a 65-square-metre mosaic from the baths of Urvinum Hortense. Its size and provenance make it a concrete example of the archaeological connections presented by the museum. Together with the churches, it offers a cultural theme encompassing architecture, religious history and a specific exhibit.

The traditional procession to Piandarca starts at the Chiesa di San Francesco in Cannara’s historic centre. From there, it follows the Sentiero Storico to the memorial stone and ends at the shrine.

Piandarca and the Sentiero Storico

Piandarca is a rural area of about 6,000 square metres, surrounded by cultivated fields, olive groves and rows of poplar trees. A small path called the Sentiero Storico also runs through Piandarca and is about 2.5 kilometres long.

For your travel planning, Piandarca offers a different focus from the churches and museum: here, the emphasis is on the rural surroundings and a named trail.

Cipolla di Cannara and the September festival

The Cipolla di Cannara is recognised as a traditional Italian agri-food product (P.A.T.). The traditional Festa della cipolla is associated with it and has been held in Cannara every September since 1981. The festival is therefore linked to a specific local product and a clearly identified month.

During the Festa della cipolla, numerous food stalls in the streets and squares of the historic centre offer tastings of the Cipolla di Cannara. The onion is prepared using a wide variety of recipes. The festival thus brings together the product and its dishes, with the historic centre as its setting. If you would like to plan your trip around the Festa della cipolla, check the dates for your intended stay.

You can choose Cannara according to the theme that will shape your trip most.

Discover more destinations: Norcia, Moiano, Castel Ritaldi, Triponzo, San Martino In Campo, San Giovanni Di Baiano, Grutti, Vernazzano Basso.

For the wider travel overview: Perugia.