Home Page  |  Hotel  |  Restaurant  |  History  |  Activities  |  Location  |  Contacts

The origins of Montone, or rather the first traces of its existence reach back to the first millenium. A document dated 1121 refers to a "Castrum" or fortified village comprising a castle and a church which, although under the control of Perugia, retained the right to administer itself.
It is not until the XVth century, however, that Montone takes its place in history with the advent of Andrea Braccio Fortebraccio known as Braccio from Montone. Besides becoming one of the best known Captains of Fortune in medieval Italian history, Braccio is also the architect of the first attempt to create a central Italian state with its capital in Perugia. Though he became a Lord of Perugia, Prince of Capua and governor of the Abruzzi, his attempt failed and Montone, like the rest of central Italy remained under the control of the Papacy until 1865.
His son, Carlo continuing in the military tradition, became general of the Venetian armies and having repelled the Turks, was given a thorn from Christ's crown by the people of Venice. In 1473, he returned to Montone offering the thorn to the people of his native village. To this day, this gift is celebrated on Easter Monday and during the third week of August, when the whole village dons medieval clothing and participates in processions and competitions.

Montone has kept many of the artistic treasures arising from its fame: At the foot of the hillside stands the church of Madonna delle Grazie built in 1578 to commemorate a miracle which took place there. On the hilltop, the Collegiata a church built in the shape of the traditional Latin cross is home to a Madonna of the Perugino school, to frescoes by Parenti and of course to the silver reliquario where the Holy Thorn is kept. The gothic church of Saint Francis with its carved doors is decorated with numerous frescoes from XVth century. In the museum one can admire wooden holy figures dating back to 1200, a painting by Bartolomeo Caporali of 1482 and a collection of textiles and fabrics from the XVth and XVIth centuries.