Among the green hills and the bright cultivated countryside of the Alta Val Tiberina, Città di Castello surpasses the neighbouring towns in terms of size, wealth and peculiarity. A small Tuscan pearl nestled in the heart of Umbria, this settlement was the pride of the Vitelli family who, between the 15th and 16th centuries, transformed the medieval profile of the small village into a jewel of Renaissance architecture, with elegant and lofty forms that nowadays attract tourists from all over the world. Artists such as Luca Signorelli, Vasari and Rafael found themselves working in the city, attracted by the lively and stimulating environment that still remains to this day. Many centuries have passed since then but even in modern times, Città di Castello has not lost its role as a centre of attraction, a transit hub and meeting point for different cultures and traditions. The numerous events held in the streets of the old city every year testify to the immense heritage to be preserved and enhanced: from printing, which began here in the 16th century, to textile production championed by Baroness Franchetti in the early 20th century, to the traditional, distinctive craft of ‘reproduction furniture’ and the now-defunct Tobacco-drying plant, which has been successfully re-purposed, becoming the unusual “exhibition space” of works by a famous modern artist, the native of Città di Castello, Alberto Burri.
With its elegant, 16th-century buildings, famous masterpieces of Italian and foreign artists, city museums, active craft workshops, nationally and internationally important cultural events, lush parks for nature lovers and fascinating canoeing routes on the Tiber river, Città di Castello offers visitors an array of unique experiences and sensations to remember and treasure for years to come.