Val di Chiana

Cittą della Pieve, Tuscany

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Cittą della Pieve

Cittą della Pieve

During Etruscan times, this territory in Tuscany was under the sway of the important Etruscan town of Chiusi. The Cittą della Pieve of today originated in the early Middle Ages around a parish church (a "Pieve"), dedicated to Saints Gervasio and Protasio, and named Castrum Plebis. The establishment of the town was completed in 1326 with the building of a fortress by the Perugians, who, after the death of Emperor Frederick II in 1250, controlled Cittą della Pieve until 1529, when Pope Clement VII de' Medici brought the town under the central dominion of the Church. The most important buildings were erected between the 13 C and 16 C, and bricks were used in their construction, since Cittą della Pieve had been a major centre of brick production in Tuscany since the Middle Ages.

Pietro Vannucci, known as "Perugino", was born in Cittą della Pieve and some of his works may be seen here, including the "Adoration of the Magi" (1504), the "Descent from the Cross" (1517), the "Madonna in Glory" (1514), and the "Baptism of Christ" (1510). Cittą della Pieve also hosts several fine works by Domenico Alfani, Antonio Circignani, known as "Pomarancio" and Savini.

Il Perugino "The Adoration of the Magi"

Il Perugino "The Adoration of the Magi" (1504)
Oratory of Santa Maria dei Bianchi

The story is depicted as a big knightly procession lost in the vastness of one of the largest landscapes created by Perugino. Here is a recognisable, though idealised, the view from Cittą della Pieve toward Lake Trasimeno and the Valdichiana.

Palio dei Terzieri

From 10th August to the second-to-last Sunday of the month

The three sectors of town, called Terzieri (Borgo Dentro, Casilino, Castello), replaying the ancient disputes that have characterised the life of the city since the Middle Ages, challenge each other to an archery competition, "The Bull Hunt" (inspired by the "Caccia del Toro", a primitive bullfight that took place in the ancient Castel della Pieve in the 15 C and 16 C), the target being the rotating outline of a bull. On this occasion, each quarter opens a Tavern where they serve food typical of Umbria and Tuscany. In addition there are theatrical and musical performances inspired by Renaissance period in which Perugino lived (1450 - 1523).

August 15 - The Terzieri throw down the gauntlet.

From Piazza del Plebiscito at 5 p.m. a procession of 700 people in Renaissance costume, moves to the Santa Lucia Sports ground for the "Bull Hunt". There are acrobats, fire-eaters, flag-wavers etc.

Palio dei Terzieri Palio dei Terzieri

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