Tucked Between Florence And Rome Is Italy's Medieval Castle Town With Olive Groves And Renaissance Charm
Italy is a magical destination where the story of civilization is told through every last inch of the country's incredible artistic, architectural, and cultural treasures. It's no wonder 60 million visitors flock here annually, a number staggering enough to turn your dolce vita dreams into a nightmare with everyone chasing the same bucket list, like the 12 best things to do on your romantic vacation in Venice, or the most incredible attractions you can't skip on your trip to Florence. For a more relaxed Italy vacation, stray off the beaten path to visit the peaceful, medieval castle town of Alviano. Tucked between bustling Florence and teeming Rome, Alviano is surrounded by lazy olive groves and brimming with Renaissance charm, making it a perfect place to indulge in local Italian wines while marveling at the beauty of the countryside.
Alviano is perched high on a hilltop east of the Tiber River in Italy's Amerino region near the Umbria-Lazio border. The countryside here is dotted with rural clay farmhouses interspersed between lush olive groves and vineyards, creating excellent conditions to experience the regional gastronomy. Raio olive trees that are hundreds of years old yield divine olives and extra-virgin olive oil, just as the area's vineyards produce Grechetto and Ciliegiolo wines from grapes originating from ancient Etruscan times. The region is also famous for its Bianchella and Girotti figs, as well as for the Fava Cottòra, a type of broad bean that's been cultivated here for centuries.
The towering Fortress of Alviano is an unmissable highlight
Just like the well-preserved castle in Sirmione, Italy, that feels right out of a storybook, the highlight of Alviano is its towering 15th-century Fortress of Alviano. "Its history and peculiarities make it one of the most interesting examples of military and residential architecture in the region," praises a review on Tripadvisor. The fortress was built in 1495 by the military architect Bartolomeo d'Alviano on the site of an earlier castle constructed in 995 by Count Offredo, an associate of the Holy Roman Emperor Otto III. Bartolomeo turned it into one of the region's most important cannon foundries, producing cannons, equipment, and ammunition that could be used in defense of the hillside.
The imposing castle with its domineering corner towers occupies a militarily strategic position, overshadowing the entire countryside. Inside, however, elegant interiors betray a castle fit for royalty. A delicate double-loggia frames the pretty Renaissance courtyard, and lovely frescoes decorate some of the rooms. Seventeenth-century frescoes adorning the Chapel of San Francisco feature a portrait of Olimpia Pamphili Maidalchini, the sister-in-law of Pope Innocent X, who purchased the castle at auction in 1654 after the Alviano family line died out.
Today, you'll find Alviano's Town Hall on the main floor of the castle, presided over by a stately painting of Bartolomeo. In the basement, a pair of museums enlightens history buffs with exhibits detailing Alviano's history. The Museum of Civic Civilization traces Alviano's rural farming history, spotlighting the town's production of wine, oil, hemp, and wheat, as well as showcasing hundreds of objects that trace the history of the town's eponymous Alviano family. The Bartolomeo d'Alviano and Umbrian Captains of Fortune Documentation Center examines the life of the castle's founder.
Bask in beautiful Mother Nature at the World Wildlife Fund Oasis at Alviano
No trip to Alviano is complete without basking in unspoiled Mother Nature at the World Wildlife Fund Oasis. This 2223-acre reserve is one of the largest wetlands in Italy, comprising swamps, ponds, marshes, water meadows, and hygrophilous woodland. It's a protected area teeming with biodiversity and a migratory haven for over 250 species of birds, including coot, cranes, geese, osprey, and herons. Along with Lake Corbara and the Forello Gorges, the Oasis is part of the vast Tiber River Park, a protected regional park in Umbria.
Two nature trails encourage visitors to explore the peaceful marsh, which features a lookout tower and viewing platform where bird watchers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts can ponder spectacular views. A flat 1-mile loop leads you around the edge of the marsh, while a 2-mile loop meanders along the Tiber River, and both are equipped with birdwatching huts. Prime time for visiting is October and November, when over 12,000 birds converge on the Oasis. Spring is also heavy on migration, so you can expect to see several species of birds that reflect the area's biodiversity. Entry to the Oasis is $7 for adults and $5 for children between 6 and 14, as well as for seniors over 65. Visiting is free for local residents and World Wildlife Fund members.
Alviano is about 1.5 hours by car from Rome, or 3 hours by train, with trains leaving Roma Termini Station hourly. From Florence, the drive is around 2 hours south. Direct trains leave Florence Santa Maria Novella Train Station every 4 hours and take 2.5 hours to reach Alviano.