Click on pictures to visit the venues

CONVENTIONED MUSEUMS

Città di Castello is undoubtedly the least “Umbrian” of all Umbrian towns: its geographical position and the Renaissance characteristics clearly distinguish Città di Castello from the other villages, generally medieval and built on the top of the hills.
Main town of the Upper Tiber Valley, Città di Castello lies on the borders between Umbria, Marche,Tuscany and Emilia Romagna, preserving the charm and the multidimensional features of borderlands.
Thanks to its rich musical programme, Festival delle Nazioni, has added a significant value to the prestigious historical-cultural heritage of the town and its surroundings (a number of medieval villages are very close such as Monte Santa Maria Tiberina, Montone and Citerna), making Città di Castello the best place to enjoy lovely summer nights.
This is the atmosphere in which the concerts’ notes echo within the old walls of the town and the majestic churches. The most talented artists perform on evocative stages. This is how we intend to let our guests fully enjoy music together with the striking beauty and history always present in the Tiber Valley.
One of the classic places linked to the Festival is the gothic San Domenico Church. It was built in 1424, in the town centre and on its altar Raffaello’s “Mond Crucifixion” has lain until the end of the 17th century. The large structure of the church, with a single central nave, makes it an ideal place for hosting the many and demanding Festival guests.
The other central church, San Francesco, is also particularly suitable for chamber music, thanks to its extraordinary acoustics that offers a clean and embellished sound. It was built in 1273 and another Raffaello’s masterpiece had its home in the church,“The marriage of the Virgin”, now visible in Brera Museum. The church still holds the Vitelli Chapel made after a Vasari’s project.
After a few minutes walk it is possible to visit Piazza Matteotti, one of the most beautiful areas of the town where open-air concerts often take place. The square is surrounded by wonderful samples of Renaissance architecture, four historical buildings have in fact their façades on the square, Palazzo del Podestà, built after an Angelo da Orvieto’s project, Palazzo Bondi-Mancini, Palazzo Vitelli-Bufalini e Palazzo Cappelletti.
Moving further from the town walls, there is another refined stage of the Festival, the courtyard of Bufalini Castle in San Giustino. It has been the home of the Bufalini family, Counts and Marquises, military powerful and real arts-patrons. The majestic Castle is just out of the town and surrounded by a refined Italian garden. It still shows some of its original foundations that date back to the end of the 13th century.
Exactly between Umbria and Tuscany, Citerna is the Valley’s terrace. From its particularly evocative old centre, it is possible to see almost the whole Valley from above. With its cylindrical tower, the medieval path and the fortress, this town has been awarded as one of the Most Beautiful Italian Villages.
Ancient town that the Roman Legions used to cross or where they sometimes settled, Morra is a small village halfway between Città di Castello and Cortona. A little artistic treasure lies here, the San Crescentino Oratory. It was re-built in 1507 and it holds some Luca Signorelli’s frescos, among them the Flagellation and the Crucifixion are particularly well preserved.

Last but not least, another place of the Festival is the Santa Chiara Audutorium in Sansepolcro, Tuscany. It is a part of the former Santa Chiara Curch, the once church of Sant’Agostino’s monastery. Piero della Francesca’s famous “San Giuliano” was held here and is now visible in the local Pinacoteca. The building still shows the original outside walls and the polygonal apse of the medieval church with a deeply special charm.

Public utility and tourist information
IAT Città di Castello Piazza Matteotti – Logge Bufalini
Tel +39-075-8554922 Fax +39-075-8552100
info@iat.citta-di-castello.pg.it
www.cittadicastello.umbria2000.it