The Program | Our Location | Accommodations | Meals | Classes | Trips | Fees
Overlooking the lush Tiber River valley, Montecastello di Vibio is a hill towns in the province of Perugia, halfway between Rome and Florence. Preserving over 2000 years of history, the cities and hill towns of Umbria and nearby Tuscany are landmarks of European culture. Many, like Todi, were built over four eras - Etruscan, Roman, Medieval and Renaissance. The surrounding landscape is patterned with vineyards, olive groves and sunflower fields, etched with rows of cypresses and umbrella pines. In this environment, you will paint and sculpt under the same light that spawned the Western world's greatest art. Here is the architecture and countryside that inspired Renaissance artists and later masters like Poussin, Ingres and Corot. One can see why the region still attracts artists from all over the world.
After work hours, students enjoy nearby Todi, 15 minutes from Montecastello by car. A chic and elegant medieval hilltown, Todi has many restaurants, shops, caffes, and a magnificent central piazza surrounded by Gothic palazzi.
 Todi |
 |
 Montecastello |
 |
Montecastello di Vibio is one of the best-preserved medieval hilltowns in Umbria. Not a tourist stop for Americans, the area around Montecastello is the summer home for Romans, Milanese, Germans, and English. But it is also a living town. Generation after generation of Montecastellese are born, marry, have children and die here.
The castle (il castello), the largest building in this tiny, intimate town, is a reminder of the feudal system. The feudal lord was the protector and the master of the villagers, who worked in his fields in the surrounding valley. Today, most of the townspeople have a piece of land of their own. In September, you can see them preserving tomatoes in their garages.
The beautiful, restored 18th century theater with only 99 seats, The Concordia, is called the smallest theater in Europe. It was honored in 2002 with its own postage stamp. Here, you can see some photo albums of the history of the town. It's amazing to see the old pictures of children playing in the same streets you see every day, and then walk outside and see those children, now with grown children of their own, watching their grandchildren play.
There are two grocery stores: the Tiglio Market has the biggest selection, Clara's has flowers, and Il Mercatino, in the piazza near the school, has a nice wine selection and typical Umbrian products. All stores sell housewares, Vape (VAH-pay) to repel mosquitoes, and personal care items. For a snack, we'll see you at the bakery, where Giovanni and Natalina bake fresh bread every day, cookies, cake and as well as pizza to go.
Banca Popolare di Todi is Montecastello's bank. If you need to change money for a trip day, be sure to do it the day before, because our bus leaves before the bank opens. CAMBIO means exchange. The ATM machine (Bancomat) at the bank does international transactions. The two public health clinics, with doctors, are open 3 weekday mornings and 2 afternoons a week, Monday-Friday. (The hospitals are in Todi and Marsciano, each 15 minutes by car. There are major hospitals in Perugia, 40 minutes' drive.) There is also a pharmacy, two churches and a police station. For a cappuccino, go to Giovanni and Anna Rita's Bar Centrale on the piazza with the awe-inspiring view of Todi. The bar is closed Wednesdays, except in August.
Dining out in Montecastello
A short drive from town in Pian di Porto there is a large supermarket and housewares store called Ipersidis. The selection there is positively stunning compared to the village stores in Montecastello. They even have bar-code readers.
The Program | Our Location | Accommodations | Meals | Classes | Trips | Fees
