Citerna

Treasures dug into the heart of the earth. A lattice of underground ancient barns and tanks for the collection of rainwater for the village. An impenetrable nucleus hidden by impressive medieval walls that enclose the historic centre in a ring.

Citerna's core element is water, an integral part of a landscape made immortal by Renaissance masters. The village rises on the hill where the rivers Cerfone and Sovara converge. The orange flag (tourism award of excellence)holder is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, also known for its pottery, it preserves the echo of Etruscan and Roman domination and has a perimeter path along the medieval walls that offers breathtaking views of the Valtiberina. Named by the Romans Civitas Sobariae, it suffered repeated plundering,during the Lombard period and was later fought over by the Ghibelline from Arezzo and the Guelphs from Città di Castello.

Under the Dominion of the Malatesta and the Papal State (XV century) it became a vicariate of the Vitelli family from Città di Castello, a family of commanders and patrons of Medici who governed it until the end of 1600 filling it with the treasures by Donatello, Pomarancio, Signorelli and Raffaellino del Colle. Its lombard fort (reconstructed in 1300) is the oldest part of the castle that was almost completely destroyed by the Germans during World War II. There is a war monument to the fallen in the Parco della Rimembranza

A city with a special urban layout arranged on two levels: underground there is a complex system of tunnels and rainwater collecting tanks, the Hall of Ammassi under the municipal building today used for exhibitions. Higher up, the historical nucleus extends over the wall that encloses a medieval walkway between the two gates (Porta Fiorentina and Porta Romana), a network of narrow streets that flow towards the civic tower with a clock from the 1500’s and countless dense churches, sculptures and artistic treasures. Like the church of St. Francis, almost a museum due to the great number of jealously guarded works: lavishly decorated altars, frescoes, paintings and sculptures, among which the Madonna and Child in terracotta, realised by a young Donatello, discovered only a handful of years ago.

The monastery of St. Elizabeth preserves the Vesperbild, a German sculpture modelled on a 14th century Pietà, while the church of St. Michael the Archangel contains the Crucifixion by Pomarancio and the Madonna with the child by Luca della Robbia. Among the civil buildings is the small and elegant Teatro Bontempelli, built by the Vitelli family in the sixteenth century, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Along the Via Francigena travelled by pilgrims, there are many paths to be followed on horseback, on a bike or on foot, there are places of worship like the monastery of the Benedictine nuns “Santissimo Crocifisso”, built on the most ancient Franciscan settlement, the sanctuary of Santa Maria di Petriolo and the church of Santa Maria in Pistino.

Gourmet specialties such as the Vinsanto (dessert wine) and the fried lard are served during the many festivals and cultural events that enliven the village throughout the year.