The Alta Valle del Tevere: a strip of land that is rich in history and culture

Beginning from the source of the River Tiber, amidst green panoramas of rare beauty, almost all of a sudden the enchanting nature of the Alta Valle del Tevere opens up; this is a strip of land situated in the northern part of the Umbria Region on the border with le Marche Region and Tuscany. Castles, abbeys, parishes and medieval towns brimming with tradition and historical memories face out over the valley; a sort of invitation to discover this land that offers ancient, warm hospitality. A crossroads of important artistic and cultural movements, the territory of Alto Tevere has become enriched, during its historical evolution, with works of art from all eras, so much so that the Alta Valle del Tevere is also known as "Valle Museo" (The Museum Valley).

Città di Castello rises up from within this splendid valley, immersed in hills and green meadows, rich with monuments and buzzing with life. Walking through the old town you will discover precious architectural jewels such as the cylindrical bell tower, the Church of Saint Francis and the Priors Building. This city is also the backdrop for many interesting and involving events and manifestations that range from The White Truffle Market Exhibition to The Chamber Music Festival.

In order to help you to come to know and discover all of the historical, artistic and cultural aspects of the Alta Valle del Tevere and this beautiful city, we have prepared a selection of the most interesting museums that you can visit in Città di Castello: 

• Fabric collection of "Tela Umbra"
  An interesting museum connected to the craft workshop “Tela Umbra” that houses a collection of traditional fabrics and cloths.
• Municipal Art Gallery
  This houses an important medieval and modern art museum where some of the works of the most famous Italian painters such as Raphael are stored.
• Cathedral Museum
  This museum houses a vast collection of precious sacred objects. Due to the high number of pieces, this collection is considered to be one of the most complete collections in Europe. Among the works to be admired is “The Transfiguration”, a fresco painted in 1530 by Rosso Fiorentino.
• The Burri Collection
  This collection is housed in the Albizzini Building and it consists of works of art donated by Alberto Burri, a contemporary artist, to his native city.
• The Burri Collection
  The second part of the Collection is housed in the Ex Tobacco Drying Buildings: an industrial complex which was readapted during the 1950's by the same artist. On this premises the main pictorial cycles of the artist are mostly exhibited.
• Centre of Popular Traditions
  This is an important centre which documents popular traditions and aims at safeguarding the memory of peasant culture.
• Typography Museum
  This museum houses printing machinery from different eras, which is still in perfect working order.
• Arboreous Archaeology Museum
  An important centre for the promotion of the knowledge and the protection of the old varieties of fruit trees reproduced and cultivated according to popular uses and traditions.