An itinerary in Umbria of the works of Niccolò Circignani, known as il Pomarancio (Pisa 1530 –Città della Pieve 1598). He was made an honorary citizen of Città di Castello in 1577.
CITERNA
The town of Citerna is located in the verdant Umbrian countryside and is a member of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy.
🟢 Inside the Chiesa degli Osservanti you can admire his painting of the Deposition from the Cross (1570).
FROM CITERNA TO CITTA’ DI CASTELLO
An Umbrian town steeped in history, Città di Castello lies on the border Umbria shares with Tuscany and the Marche just 14 km from Citerna.
🟢 The Pinacoteca here is home to his Martyrdom of St. Stephen (1570), an Immaculate Conception and an Annunciation (1577).
FROM CITTA’ DI CASTELLO TO UMBERTIDE
Head south through the Upper Tiber Valley for 25 km to reach Umbertide.
🟢 Here, in the Chiesa di San Francesco, you’ll find Il Pomarancio’s Virgin, Angels and Saints.
FROM UMBERTIDE TO CASTIGLIONE DEL LAGO
Castiglione del Lago, another member of The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, is perched on high over the lake an hour’s drive from Umbertide, its Palazzo della Corgna and Rocca del Leone clearly visible from afar.
🟢 The 16th century Palazzo della Corgna is home to several of Pomarancio’s frescoes. In the main hall he painted scenes depicting the heroism of Ascanio della Corgna, nephew of Pope Julius III, and in the other rooms his themes centred on mythology, the battle of Trasimeno, and events from the life of Julius Caesar. A long covered walkway leads to the 12th century Rocca del Leone fortress.
FROM CASTIGLIONE DEL LAGO TO MONGIOVINO
Some 25 km away, near Tavernelle, is Mongiovino, Panicale’s most populated centre.
🟢 The Sanctuary of the Madonna di Mongiovino (17th century), which stands out for its grand dome and bell tower, is home to a Pomarancio Ressurection fresco, to Orazio Alfani’s The gift of the Rosary and works by Flemish artists Hendrik van den Broeck and Jean Wrage dating to the 16th century.
FROM MONGIOVINO TO CITTA’ DELLA PIEVE
Città della Pieve, awarded the Seal of Environmental Quality Tourism by the Touring Club Italiano, is home to Palazzo della Corgna, one of the della Corgna family’s two residences.
🟢 On the first floor of the Palazzo della Corgna are the reception rooms and private apartment of Ascanio della Corgna. The frescoes on the vaulted ceilings painted in 1564 represent Concert by the Muses.
FROM CITTA’ DELLA PIEVE TO PERUGIA
The capital of the province of Umbria, Perugia, is an hour’s drive away. It was founded by the Etruscans and in the Middle Ages was a seat of the Roman Curia and a Papal residence.
🟢 In the Chiesa della Maestà delle Volte you can admire decorated ceilings, cupola and corbells (1568).
FROM PERUGIA TO ORVIETO
In the southern part of Umbria, some 80 km from Perugia is the city of Orvieto, with its majestic cathedral dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta.
🟢 Inside the Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo is a panel featuring the Healing of the Gout Sufferers, painted for the altar of one of the cathedral’s chapels.
🟢 Inside the Cathedral of Orvieto he painted the Chapel of St. Nicola (1566).
