Ficulle

The medieval town of Ficulle is located on a ridge from which it overlooks a splendid valley with woods, badlands and flowering fields that reach up to the slopes of Mount Amiata. The town has eloquent traces of its ancient origins. The Romans had an observation post here on the Via “Traiana” (Cassia Nuova), one of the most important communication routes between Rome and the north of the peninsula. In the Middle Ages the “Castrum Ficullensis” was fortified and was frequently sacked and plundered during the long period of feudal struggles. It continued to be the most important castle of the city of Orvieto. In the twentieth century Ficulle was assigned a preeminent position in the territory of upper Orvieto and covered the role of district capital. Historical monuments The entire town is a monument, to which the two medieval fortresses, defenses for the town, and the medieval complex of Castel Maggiore bear witness. There are also fine monuments such as the old Rural Parish Church or Pieve of Santa Maria, built around 1200 with a fine Gothic portal and a few important frescoes dating to the second half of the fifteenth century. A few kilometers from the town, in the direction of Orvieto, is the Castello della Sala, once a Monaldeschi feud, a typical example of medieval architecture. The Abbey of San Nicolò al Monte Orvietano, built in 1007 by Saint Romuald, is surrounded by woods overlooking the Chiani valley. The monk Graziano, founder of canonic law who wrote the famous “Decretum Gratianii” cited in Dante’s paradise, lived here. Ficulle earthenware The art of pottery has been handed down for generations, and the name of the town is derived from the Latin “figulus”, or potter. Clay is thrown on the wheel by hands that repeat gestures belonging to a timeless memory. Ficulle and its prize products City of oil, City of wine and City of Chianina beef. The sun-drenched hills and the microclimate produce an excellent extra-virgin olive oil with a Dop denomination and excellent generous Doc and Igt wines, which have made the town famous in the field of agriculture and food, and internationally renowned.  But Chianina cattle are also raised in Ficulle, respecting ancient traditions and producing excellent flavorful meat. Pork butchery is another tradition, with pork that is selected and processed according to precise criteria that make for superior quality products. to see Church of  S.Maria Nuova Church of  S.Maria Pieve vecchia Historical center with the two Fortresses Abbey of   S.Nicolò al Monte Orvietano Church of the Madonna della Maestà Castello della Sala Church of the Madonna delle Grazie to taste Extra-virgin olive oil Dop Umbria Extra-virgin olive oil Wine Orvieto classico Doc Wine orvietano rosso Doc Wine Igt white and red Chianina beef Typical pork products events Christmas in Music (concerts of classic and gospel music) Carnival in Ficulle (allegorical floats in the streets of the town) Spring Festival (concerts of popular music and the traditional Cantamaggio) Feast day of S. Eumenio Feast day of the Madonna della Maestà