A castle that submitted to and rebelled against Spoleto over the centuries
Montefranco is a small village of probable Lombard origin, founded as a defensive stronghold against the Saracens and originally called Castel Bufone.
It is located on a hillside – about 400 metres above sea level – therefore at a relatively modest elevation, but with a broad, strategic view over Ferentillo, Arrone, Castel di Lago and Collestatte.
The current name dates back to the 13th century and is linked to an event documented in historical sources: in 1228, some settlers from Arrone sought refuge on Colle Bufone to escape the servitude imposed by their castle of origin.
In order to ensure their loyalty, Spoleto granted them double their franchise privileges, hence the name: Monte Franco. Alternative sources suggest that the name derives from the exemption and freedom from servitude towards the Arronesi.
For several centuries, the history of the village followed that of Spoleto, alternating between alliances and rebellions. It sided against Spoleto by joining the revolt of the “federation of the twelve castles”, which Spoleto suppressed in 1372. At the beginning of the 16th century, it rebelled once more, forming an alliance with other castles in the Valnerina, under the leadership of the Abbey of San Pietro in Valle. In 1522, Pope Paul V granted it independence from the Duchy, but about one hundred years later, Pope Urban VIII, Maffeo Barberini – the former archbishop of Spoleto – reintegrated it under Spoleto’s control.
Montefranco continued to experience a fluctuating relationship with the main city: in the following century, it was again Spoleto's troops who intervened – in exchange for compensation – to free it from French occupation. Only in 1860, with its annexation to the Kingdom of Italy, did it obtain definite administrative autonomy, initially joining the Umbrian province of Perugia and, from 1927, that of Terni.
Art and spirituality in and around the village
The small village of Montefranco is well preserved.
All that remains of the structure of the Bufone castle, typical of hilltop castles, are the outer walls and two gates: the Porta Franca, facing south towards Arrone, through which tax-exempt goods would pass; and the Porta Spoletina, in the opposite direction, connecting the village to the main town. Nearby, a plaque commemorates the stay of Saint Bernardino of Siena in the village.
Strolling through the village, along streets with curious names, one can walk from one gate to another, encountering buildings of artistic interest.
The church of Santa Maria Assunta houses a large, richly sculpted baptismal font. Of medieval origin, it was expanded to three naves during the time of Pope Eugene IV (15th century).
Leaving the old part of the village along Via Anita Garibaldi, one reaches the Church of the Madonna del Carmine, which features 17th-century frescoes from the Umbrian school and a 16th-century Ascension.
Outside the village, on the road to Arrone, other sites of interest include the former Convent, the Church and Oratory of San Bernardino, now serving as a private holiday retreat.
From the village to Mount Moro, with breathtaking views over the Nera Valley
Montefranco was already established in pre-Roman and Roman times on an ancient transverse route linking the Spoleto valley to the Rieti plain. The settlement on Colle Bufone allowed control over the entire valley road, covering a long stretch of the Nera Valley, with views over the villages of Arrone and Casteldilago, extending north-east to Ferentillo.
This made it an effective garrison for monitoring the communication routes from the Nera to the Tiber since ancient times.
Evidence of this can be found in the archaeological site of Monte Moro, an ancient hilltop sanctuary. It can be reached from the village by climbing towards the slopes of the mountain, at an altitude of about 700 metres. Here are the remains of a Roman sanctuary and two cisterns.
The site is also an excellent viewpoint offering views over the Fosso Lavatore valley on the northern side towards the via Flaminia.
The municipal territory of Montefranco lies within the area of the Nera River Park, offering various opportunities for nature and adventure activities, including canoeing, rafting, canyoning, rock climbing and caving excursions.
