““Montone was built around 800 a.D., under the ruling of Emperor Charles the Great, by locals. It lies in a beautifully pleasant hill at the feet of the Apennines, between Perugia, Città di Castello and Gubbio, as if in the middle of a triangle. On the east of the town we find the river Carpina, the Tiber runs one mile south of the town, on the west there is a beautiful little stream called Rio, and on the north the Apennines—these beautiful mountains that are not immediately steep, rather take the shape of rolling hills for ten miles.

The climate is temperate, the countryside is diverse, fertile and beautifully adorned with its hills, valleys, and planes kissed by the water of rivers and streams. The soil, by nature or by art, is just as beautiful as it is strong.

On the southern side of one of the two hills, that is called Monte (Mountain) for being the greater of the two, a Fortress and a Catholic School. On the other hill, where the sun sets, called Castel Vecchio (Old Castle), the Church of Saint Francis, a beautiful and ancient church with a prosperous convent of Conventual Friars. Between the two hills is the Square…”
(from the “Historical-genealogical letter of the Fortebracci family of Montone” by G. V. Giobbi Fortebracci, Bologna MDCLXXXIX).

Montone has not changed much since then, we can even say it remains intact. In 2003 the FAI (Italian Environment Fund) even chose it as symbol for its national day. Surrounded by green nature, oak and olive trees, climbing along the windy street curves suddenly you can see the high, harmonious town. It’s a medieval image with houses, churches and convents, all closed in by inaccessible city walls that protect the people from all dangers. Walking through one of the city doors, it is easy to get lost in the narrow and windy streets, all decorated with geraniums, where cars do not pass and the silence is astounding. From several points you can enjoy breathtaking views.
Montone is hometown to Braccio Fortebracci, born to a very ancient and noble local family. He is famous, mainly, as soldier of fortune, but one may say that, between the Middle Ages and Humanism, he anticipated the character of the Prince of Machiavelli, who built the “regnum italicum.”
The people of Montone are kind and reserved, the food is simple, but made with authentic ingredients. A typical example is the torta bianca (white cake), made with flour, water and salt, deliciously flavored with locally produced cold cuts, herbs from the gardens and products from the surrounding woods.
You can also still find traditional handicrafts, and characteristic costume festivals. Many cultural events take place in this town, among which the Film Festival, organized by the Umbria Film Festival Organization together with the Town Hall, which is probably the pearl of all activities.