Places of interest near Villa Poli

Trasimeno Lake - Passignano

distance to property: 45 km

The most ancient nucleus of Passignano sul Trasimeno is still today encircled by the middle age walls which testify the development the center underwent during the Roman Empire, evolving from a small agricultural village to a castle, which, after the Lordship of Uguccione II in the 917, was constantly aimed at by Arezzo, Perugia and Florence.

Not very many historical buildings are left in the town, due to the destructions caused by the II the world war strafings. All that remains is in fact the church of S. Rocco ( XV century) and the one of S. Bernardino, erected only a few years later.From Passignano, the Isola Maggiore (Greater Island), on Trasimeno Lake, is reached in few minuts of boat. There one can visit the Romanesque church of S. Salvatore of the XII century, that of S.Michele Archangel of the XIV century and the Villa Isabella of Marquises Guglielmi. On the land, instead, approximately ten kilometers away from Passignano, the small village of Castel Rigone rises, where one of the most elegant renaissance buildings of the whole Umbria was erected: the church of the Madonna dei Miracoli.

Montefalco

distance to property: 40 km

Montefalco, which is placed in a dominating position looking down on the valleys of the Topino and the Clitunno rivers, offers the viewer of a sweeping panorama of the Umbrian countryside.

The buildings inside the ancient town walls which are definitely worth visiting are, without doubt, the Town Hall, which dates back to the 13th century, as does the church of St. Augustine, the Romanic church of St. Bartholomew with the Portal of Frederick II (1244) to be found near-by and the church of St. Chiara where, inside, you'll discover paintings by the Umbrian school. You absolutely should not forget to visit the 14th century church of St. Francis, which is now the seat of the Pinacoteque; in fact, inside, you'll find many paintings of great artistic value such as the "Nativity" by Perugino and the extraordinary cycle of frescoes: " The Stories of St. Francis by Benozzo Gozzoli. Near the inhabitated area you'll find the 16th century church of St. Illuminata and the 15th century church of St. Fortunato which contains, in the lunette of the portal and in the altar to the right, works of art by Benozzo Gozzoli.
Among the most important typical products in the city we should absolutely mention the Sagrantino of Montefalco wine.

Bevagna

distance to property: 35 km

The ancient small town of Roman origin called Bevagna is to be found on the western fringe of the Foligno plain, at the foot of the group of hills where Montefalco rises up and near the loop of the river Timia.

Its modern-day appearance is surely the result of its developement during the Middle Ages. In fact, even if the Roman had constructed the ancient Menania in such a way that the Flaminia Road was the decuman axis of the town, the town's center is now placed more to the South. In Piazza Silvestri, you absolutely should not miss the Gothic Palace of the Consuls, situated singularly slantwise to the streets, amd the churches of St. Sylvester (1195 d.C.) and St. Michael Arcangel; the fountain which completes the scene of this exceptional public area is, however, an adaptation dating back to the 19th century. Even today, the medieval town portals, even after reconstructive measures such as those of the Porta San Venanzo in 1797, and long stretches of the old town walls, are in a good state of preservation. Other monuments testifying to the more ancient origins of Bevagna are not lacking: the ruins of a temple of the 2nd century A.C. on which the medieval church of the Madonna of the Snow was subsequently erected, the Roman theater (2nd century A.C.) which remains to serve as a foundation for a circular block along the course of the ancient Flaminia Road and the impressive remains of mosaics representing marine animals perhaps belonging to a thermal baths building. Among the most important manifestations taking place in the city we should absolutely mention the Market of the Gaite.

Deruta

distance to property: 15 km

The origins of Deruta remain for the most part obscure. Of certainty are its links to Perugia, which has always been a valid bastion to the south, toward Todi, whose role is to this day witness of its fortified castle appearance.

During the 13th Century Deruta had its own statute, followed by, in 1465, a new document in vernacular which foresaw the presence in the castle, in addition to a podestà envoy from Perugia, of four "boni omini", elected from amongsts the residents. In the second half of 1400, the residents of this small town, were exterminated from pests, so that the city walls came down. In addition, during the Guerra del Sale" (1540), Deruta, which had aligned itself against the Pope, experienced ambushes and devastation. The submission of Perugia to the Church brought also to the small town a long period of peace, during which time the maximum development of works of art of the artistic majolica, activity which, throughout the Centuries, allowed Deruta to become known all over the world. Accessing the historical centre of Deruta from the door Porta di S.Michele Arcangelo, are immediately visible testimonies of ancient furnaces. In the small Biordo Michelotti Square are exposed the sober lines of roman-gothic of the S.Arcangelo Church. In front of which is situated the Fontana, with a polygonal plan, which was realized in 1848.
Immediately following opens out the square Piazza dei Consoli, where one finds the Palazzetto Municipale from 1300, in whose atrium are collected archaeological finds, neolithical and etruscan. IThe Palazzo hosts, in addition, the Pinacoteca and the Museum of Ceramica. In the former one finds an important collection of paintings originating from the churches of S. Francesco, S. Antonio, the Defunti di Ripabianca, and the hospital of S. Giacomo, and a part from the rich collection of Lione Pascoli. One can admire, among other things, paintings of the Alunno, of the Baciccio, from Stendardo, from Amorosi, from Fiorenzo di Lorenzo and a Guido Reni. In the latter, one can admire magnificent ceramic works of art from the period encompassing the archaic and our modern times. In front of the Palazzo Municipale is the S. Francesco Church, in gothic style, from its interior.
Adjacent to the Church one finds the former Franciscan convent with an ancient cloister. At the end of the narrow Mastro Giorgio road rises the S. Antonio Church, which preserves important affrescos of Bartolomeo and Gian Battista Caporali. At the height of Piazza Cavour is situated the small church of Madonna del Divino Amore, today known with the name of Madonna della Cerasa. Along the Tiberina road one sees the small church of Madonna delle Piagge from 1601, whose facing is adorned with a beautiful maiolica. Close by to this church one may visit an interesting Museo of majolicas.

Assisi

distance to property: 40 km

Assisi in Italy stretches out on the slopes of the Monte Subasio, above the plain where the Topino and Chiascio rivers flow.

Although it can boast Roman origins, its present-day appearance, because of the buildings and also the urban structure, is surely due to the city's development during the Middle Ages.
Assisi's oldest nucleus, which is protected by a defensive apparatus made up of eight fortified entrance portals and a long belt of town walls, which are still perfectly preserved, is topped by two castles on peak of the mountain: the Major Castle, reconstructed by the Cardinal Albornoz in 1367 and the Minor Castle. Apart from religious buildings too important to not be considered solely the heritage of Assisi such as the basilica of St. Francis, the tourist can also visit the churches of St. Clare and St.Peter.
The first was constructed in the Gothic style between 1257 and 1265, the second is a little older and decorated with an elegant middle portal with three rose-windows. The Cathedral, dedicated to the Patron Saint St. Rufino, vaunts a splendid and unaltered facade with sculptures and reliefs; the interior, however, has undergone much reconstruction during the centuries which have distorted the original project dating back to the 13th century. On the Town Square situated on the ancient Forum, you will find the Priors' Palace (1337), the Palace of the People's Captain (12th century) and the temple of Minerva, built during the augustean period with pronaos, columms and corinthian capitals which are still intact.
Nearby, places which are connected with the life of St. Francis can be visited, sich as the Eremitage of the Prisons, immersed in a thick wood of oaks and ilex on the slopes of the Subasio Mountain, and the convent of St. Damian, which was built up around the oratory were, according to tradition, the Cross spoke to the Saint. Finally, in the plain, the impressive basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels was built according to the plans of Alessi between 1569 and 1679 to protect the Porziuncola Chapel, which was the first simple meeting-place of the Francescan brotherhood.
All those who have the good luck of visiting this splendid town have to agree with who says that the beauty of town goes beyond a short, and necessarily incomplete list of works of art more or less extraordinary, but is however to be found in the atmosphere of places which the story and the faith of the Saint have rendered unique all over the world.