Città Di Castello: Art, Crafts and the Tiber

Città Di Castello brings together architectural and collection history with traditional crafts, printing techniques and a cycling route along the Tiber. Its themes range from Renaissance buildings and the history of the medieval town to a collection of rural traditions and the Mostra Mercato del Tartufo Bianco. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Città Di Castello, you can choose your focus according to your interests: art and architectural history, craft techniques, cycling or the November white truffle event.

Architectural History and Collections

Palazzo Albizzini is a building dating from the late 15th century in the historic centre. Its understated architecture is inspired by the Florentine Renaissance. Chiesa di San Domenico represents an earlier period: construction began in the 14th century and was completed in 1424. Together, these are two buildings with different historical markers.

The Pinacoteca Comunale is housed in the 16th-century Palazzo Vitelli alla Cannoniera. Its valuable collection spans the 3rd to the 20th century and includes paintings by Luca Signorelli and Raffaello Sanzio, among others. Its broad time span and two specifically named painters offer different points of reference for understanding the collection.

At the Museo Diocesano, the Tesoro di Canoscio preserves a work of early Christian art dating from the 6th century. Compared with the Pinacoteca’s collection, which spans many centuries, it offers a narrower point of reference in time. The Cappella Vitelli in Chiesa di San Francesco also adds to the picture of the city’s art: it was created by Giorgio Vasari.

Printing Techniques and Craft Traditions

At Grifani–Donati, visitors can observe traditional book printing, lithography, woodcut, etching and engraving techniques. If you are interested in how things are made and in the different processes, this offers a distinct way to explore the city’s cultural themes.

Tela Umbra continues to produce textiles by hand in the historic Palazzo Alberti Tomassini in the city centre. The work uses the traditional techniques of Spolinato, quadruccio umbro and occhio di pernice. Here, a named historic location is linked with ongoing handcraft and specifically identified techniques.

The Centro delle Tradizioni Popolari “Livio Dalla Ragione” in Garavelle collects objects associated with rural traditions. This extends the focus beyond works of art and craft processes to objects connected with these traditions.

Cycling and the Tiber Landscape

The Ciclovia del Tevere is an easy cycling route that connects Città Di Castello with Perugia and follows the Tiber. Along this stretch, the river is bordered by lush vegetation. The route offers a different focus from the buildings and collections, bringing together cycling and a described river landscape.

Another perspective on history can be found on the immediate outskirts of Città Di Castello. There stand the Ex Seccatoi del Tabacco, built in the immediate postwar period to dry tropical tobacco. Their original purpose differs from the architectural and artistic histories of the palaces and churches.

White Truffles in November

The Mostra Mercato del Tartufo Bianco takes place on the first weekend of November, in the streets and squares of the old town. If this date matters for your trip, check the programme for the relevant year in advance.

Discover more destinations: Volterrano, Marcellano, Colombella, Villa, Trestina, Savelli, Pila, Poreta.

Go to the wider travel guide: Perugia.