Valtiberina Toscana Upper Tiber Valley Tuscany Italy

The Valtiberina (Val Tiberina, Upper Tiber Valley) of Italy is a wonderful Tuscan tourist destination still unjustly off the beaten track. The Valtiberina forms the eastern border of Tuscany, Italy, where it meets Emilia Romagna, The Marches and Umbria, and, of course, it takes its name from the River Tiber (Tivere) that flows throughout its length and before continuing on into Umbria. It is a region of open vistas and beautiful Tuscan hill towns with spectacular views.

The Valtiberina was the point of interaction between different civilizations, the Umbrian and the Etruscan, the Byzantine and the Lombard. The bishops of Arezzo, the "Signori" of Rimini and the Montefeltro, the popes of Rome and finally the Florentines fought for centuries over these mountains and this valley. The Roman patricians at the time of Augustus discovered the beauty of the area and built several villas. Feudal lords and abbots came later to construct castles and monasteries. Michelangelo and Piero della Francesca were born here. Intact walled towns such as Anghiari or river centres such as Pieve Santo Stefano, Camaldolesian abbeys and Franciscan convents, mediaeval country churches and castles reflect the entful and turbulent history of the Valtiberina.

Upper Tiber Valley Tuscany Italy

Anghiari enjoys a spectacular location on a high spur on the western side of the Valtiberina.

, Anghiari's older quarter preserves
its pure medieval character. A fine street on a step gradient and square lined with buildings of noble design were
added in the 16th century, beyond the fortified walls.

In the Badia church, Romanesque in style and octagonal in plan, and in the medieval church of Sant Agostino and
Palazzo Comunale priceless works of art are found.
The 6th century church of Santo Stefano at the foot of the hill is one of the oldest in the re
sansepolcro

Sansepolcro Situated at the foot of the last tract of the Tuscan Apennine, Sansepolcro dominates the high Tiber Valley as it opens in a vast and harmonious amphitheatre of hills. Probably of Roman origin, the town presents a serene and harmonic face. Inside its quadrilateral of protective walls it maintains the Medieval appearance, with splendid Renaissance and Baroque additions.

The artistic heritage is rich and is chiefly concentrated in the Museo Civico. Works of special importance include some by Piero Della Francesca, the celebrated painter born in this town early in the 15th century, in particular is polyptych of the "Madonna Della Misericordia" and is "Resurrezione". Buildings of outstanding note: the Romanesque Cathedral, the Loggia Delle Laudi (16th century), the church of San Francesco (13th century).
Events : second Sunday in September "Palio della Balestra" (traditional cross bow tournament).

Caprese Michelangelo Hilltop citadel, birth place of Michelangelo Inside and protected by an almost complete set of walls, the seat of local
government and mayor's house, now the Michelangelo Museum.
The oldest wing of the castle, restored in modern times, as become an exhibition hall for full sized reproductions of
Michelangelo sculptures. The Museum, and the green surrounding it display outstanding sculptures by the best living
artists a form of homage to the greatest artist of all. In the neighbourhood, the Tifi church with a 15th century
polyptych

Monterchi is a mediaeval hamlet, located on a small hill between the Val Padonchia and the Val Cerfone, that was considered sacred by the Romans who dedicated it to the cult of Hercules. Monterchi is not to be missed by anyone interested in the art of Piero della Francesca whose mother was born here, as witnessed by the small museum dedicated to her figure (right in the centre of the town), which also contains the famous fresco Madonna del Parto, an extraordinary portrait of the pregnant Virgin Mary.

“Valtiberina Toscana” :: Upper Tiber Valley :: Italy