Castrum Felicitatis and Civitas Castelli
Ancient center of the Umbrian – an Italic people believed to have come to Italy in the 2nd millennium BC who never submitted to Etruscans – it was a flourishing roman ‘Municipio’ called Tifernum Tiberinum. Pliny the Younger mentioned it in his letters and here built a temple, in the second century. In the fourth century Crescenziano, a roman legionary, preached the Gospel and it is said that Tifernum was destroyed by Totila and rebuilt by the Bishop Florido. In the Lombard era the town was called Castrum Felicitatis and then, in the Middle Ages, was a Guelph – sympathetic to the papacy – free town, known as “Civitas Castelli”. Its territory extends beyond the Appennine Mountains. Palazzo dei Priori and Palazzo del Podestà, in the old town, date back from the 14th century.
At times, the town was free and at other times it was controlled by the Church, Perugia or Florence.
At times, the town was free and at other times it was controlled by the Church, Perugia or Florence. For a while it was governed by Pietramala and in the 1300’s Branca Guelfucci commanded. Braccio Fortebraccio occupied the town in 1422 and there was internal fighting between the Tarlati, Giustini and Fucci families until the Vitelli family took control. They filled the town with beautiful palaces and works of art. With Cesare Borgia it finally fell into the hands of the Church although the Vitelli family continued to govern locally. In the following centuries the town was penalized by papal dominion and a lack of communications and gradually declined. Freedom was finally achieved in 1860 when the piedmontese troops arrived.
Quick Info
Round Bell Tower
Via del Modello – Opening hours (same as the Museo del Duomo)
Ticket (available at the Duomo Museum) € 4. Reduced € 3 (over 65 – groups over 15 people – university students up to 26 years, children up to 18 years). Reduced € 2, Schools of every order and degree.
Capuchin Monastery, Santa Veronica Giuliani
Via XI Settembre, 21- 06012 Città di Castello (Pg)
Telephone – 075 8550956
Monday to Saturday: 10 to 11.30 am / 4.15 to 4.45 pm
Continue your journey by choosing one of these sections:
- All
- A short history
- Churchs
- Monasteries and Convents
- Palaces
- Towers and Bell Towers
