Lugnano in Teverina: the Umbrian village among the necropolises

Situated on a hill overlooking the Tiber Valley, Lugnano in Teverina—today one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy—was probably founded in the 6th century AD, when the inhabitants of the Tiber Valley moved uphill to escape malaria. The first documented name, Lugnanum Tyburinae, dates back to 1290. The toponym may derive from Lucus Jani (the grove of Janus), with reference to the moon, a symbol also present in the village’s coat of arms. From 741, Lugnano became part of the Papal States as a Terra non infeudata, directly dependent on the papacy. It was governed by families such as the Montemarte, Bovaciani, Orsini, and Alviano. In 1449 the walls were restored, and in 1508 the town adopted its own Statutes.

What to see in Lugnano in Teverina

Entering Lugnano in Teverina from Viale Regina Margherita, you arrive at Piazza Santa Maria, where the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria stands—a Romanesque masterpiece built probably between the 11th and 12th centuries. The façade features a double-wheel rose window and an eagle, while the three-nave interior is rich with sculpted columns, a Cosmatesque floor, and a crypt decorated with symbolic motifs. Notable works include a triptych by Nicolò Alunno and a Beheading of John the Baptist by Livio Agresti.

Next to the square rises Palazzo Pennone, dating back to 1650 and now the Town Hall. Within the village are also the churches of Sant’Andrea and Santa Chiara, and the convents of San Francesco—famous for a miracle attributed to Saint Francis himself—and Sant’Antonio da Padova, built in 1579 by the Capuchins.

The medieval gate, built in the 9th century and restored in the 15th century by order of Pope Pius II, leads into the historic center. Here you can explore alleys, arches, stairways, Via Duca degli Abruzzi, Piazza della Rocca, and the 19th-century factory now transformed into a multimedia tourist office.

Outside the village, along the road to Attigliano, stands the small church of Santa Maria del Ramo, built in the 15th century on the site of a miraculous apparition. Archaeology enthusiasts can visit the Roman rustic villa of Poggio Gramignano (1st century BC), overlooking the Tiber.

Events, culture, and traditions

In Lugnano, the events calendar offers a rich succession of traditions and cultural festivities that enliven the village throughout the year.

• January: Feast of Saint Anthony, with the traditional blessing of animals and the Sagra del Biscotto di Sant’Antonio, accompanied by music and food.
• Easter period: Good Friday hosts the evocative Via Crucis, a reenactment of the Passion of Christ through the historic center.
• May: On the second Sunday, the Feast of Santa Maria del Ramo takes place, with a procession to the sanctuary of Ramici and celebrations with food and music.
• Summer (July–August): Estate Lugnanese features numerous cultural and gastronomic events. From August 12–16, the Feast of Santa Maria Assunta is celebrated.
• October: From the 10th to the 12th, the Feast of Saint Francis is accompanied by the Sagra del Bocconcello, a typical cheese bread. Every weekend of the month also features Andar per Frantoi e Mercatini, with tastings and sales of olive oil in local mills.
• December: During the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, in the Church of San Francesco, local products such as oil, wine, bread, and honey are blessed. From December 24–26, the traditional Living Nativity Scene takes place in the evocative streets of the village.

What to see around Lugnano in Teverina

Lugnano is located in an ideal area for exploring other villages and treasures of southern Umbria and northern Lazio.

Nearby you can visit Amelia, with its circuit of cyclopean walls; Giove; Alviano, with its natural oasis; and Attigliano, the starting point of the Tiber River Park.

photo credits Wikipedia Agmonsnir