Discover Pianello: History, Landscape and Trails

Pianello brings together the history of a settlement that moved down into the valley in the 14th century, rural architecture, and trails through the countryside. Churches, a riverside path, and hiking and cycling routes offer different points of interest. If you are looking for hotels in Pianello, these differences can help you shape your trip around the themes that interest you most.

Historical Change and Architectural History

In the 14th century, the settlement moved down into the valley, while the hilltop castle of Castrum Arnae became increasingly depopulated. This change marks an important chapter in the town’s history: the castle stood higher up, while Pianello developed in the valley.

The history of the churches also spans several building phases. The historic parish church grew out of the Pieve di San Valentino, built on the plain and later known as Santi Biagio e Valentino. It is distinct from today’s Chiesa di San Biagio, built in 1875 after the former Chiesa dei Santi Biagio e Valentino was demolished.

Important markets held in Pianello’s square were part of the town’s historic life. Merchants and farmers from the surrounding areas took part as early as the Middle Ages. The markets add a glimpse of historic regional trade to the story of the town’s buildings and settlement.

Landscape and Walking Trails

Pianello is a small rural centre with examples of rural architecture and almost untouched natural areas. Near Pianello, the Chiascio offers a scenic riverside path for a walk by the water. This brief encounter with the landscape differs from the longer routes, where distance and time required are more prominent.

The Sentiero dei Banditi e Briganti starts at Piazza Piediluco in Pianello and ends in Civitella d’Arna, on the small square by the Church of San Lorenzo. The trail leads to three castles and other sights marked by signs. The guided excursion is planned to take four to five hours and cover around 300 metres of elevation gain; it also includes staged scenes. If you plan to join the tour, confirm the date in advance.

The Via di Francesco offers another way to explore the area. Its Valfabbrica-to-Perugia variant first leads to Pianello, where you can stop for refreshments before continuing to Castello di Ripa. This itinerary gives the route a different focus from the Sentiero dei Banditi e Briganti: here, Pianello is a stop on the way to Ripa.

Cycling Route Through the Region

Pianello is also a worthwhile destination for cyclists: the village lies along the 64.2-kilometre Itinerario 5 – Ponte San Giovanni e Fratticiola Selvatica. This challenging scenic cycling route includes paved and gravel sections and is suitable for gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and e-bikes. For Itinerario 5, the overall distance and surfaces are key; for the guided excursion, the focus is on duration and elevation gain.

Discover more destinations: Uppello, Camporeggiano, Campi, Pila, Armenzano, Ranciano, Citerna, San Giustino.

For the main travel overview: Perugia.