Monteleone d’Orvieto

Monteleone d’Orvieto is an old medieval hamlet, located in the far north of the Province of Terni, with a great view of the hills and mountains of Tuscany and Lazio. In the Middle Ages it was the northernmost defensive bastion of the territories of Orvieto The architectural signs of the past are significant and well preserved. The “Teatro dei Rustici” The Teatro dei Rustici was once the residence of the Vicario or Podestà who governed the castle, with a granary and prisons inside. Olive oil presses were on the ground floor. The  building was restored and opened again in 1991. The gem of the town, it has only 96 seats and is important as a meeting place for the community as well as a place for entertainment. Food and Fruit Known as “the peasant’s beefsteak” on account of its nutritional value, the pear of Monteleone d’Orvieto is truly unique. It ripens in late autumn and keeps well. Two other prestigious elements mark the gastronomic tradition of the town: honey and Extra-Virgin Olive Oil. In addition special mention goes to the Christmas dishes, many using pork products (pasta with walnuts, bread soup, chickpea soup, walnut bread, pastries with walnuts, cappelletti, pizza with cracklings, blood sausage, coppa). Lastly there are the splendid Easter Breads or “Pizza Pasquale” (with cheese or sweet), based on a sixteenth-century recipe. to see Medieval Hamlet Church of SS. Apostoli Pietro e Paolo with painting by the school of Perugino Church of the SS. Crocifisso with a Baroque altar Teatro dei Rustici Tower-Belvedere A. Parelli documentation center for music Clock tower Piazza Bilancini North Gate Medieval well events Tableau vivant créche December 24/25 and  January 6 January/April: theater season at the “dei Rustici” theater April: sampling of the Easter breads Mid-June: gnocchi festival at S. Maria June 29: “I Luminari” procession in historical costumes August: Homecoming August 16: historical procession and tournament of the Giglio End of August: feast of S. Lawrence 4th week of October: “Discovering Ambrosia” in the wine cellars of the main city December 19: gift market at S. Maria