Holiday apartment in Valfabbrica: medieval history, trails and Umbrian landscapes

Valfabbrica lies on a hill above the valley of the Chiascio River.

Medieval traces in the town centre

The historic centre is known as “Pedicino” and preserves two tall towers as well as substantial sections of the town walls. Valfabbrica’s fortified history also includes the medieval Torre medioevale di Valfabbrica. It is approximately 18 metres high and was built in the 13th century as part of the castle’s fortifications. The remains of the Porta del castello di Valfabbrica can still be seen today in Via San Sebastiano; from the piazza, you can reach them via Via Castellana.

The Church of San Sebastiano is located within the castle. It was originally built as a medieval chapel beside the castle tower. In December 2023, it also became the town museum. The late-13th-century fresco “Compianto sul Cristo morto” is considered the only example of the “School of Cimabue” in Umbria. The Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria Assunta di Valfabbrica was founded in the early Middle Ages and was a strategic possession in the Assisi area of the important Abbey of San Silvestro di Nonantola.

Trails around Valfabbrica

The Valfabbrica–Barcaccia loop trail is approximately 6.7 kilometres long. It starts at the fountain in Valfabbrica, follows the Franciscan Way to the village of Barcaccia and returns along the same route. The round trip from Valfabbrica to Pioppo is also approximately 6.7 kilometres in total. It leads from the town centre along the Franciscan Way to the entrance of the Forre del Rio Grande and then back.

The Franciscan Peace Trail is part of the Assisi–Gubbio Franciscan Way and is also a stage of the Via di Francesco. The northern stage of the Via di Francesco from Valfabbrica to Assisi is approximately 22 kilometres long. Mountain bike routes start directly in the town centre of Valfabbrica and include paved sections, gravel tracks and more challenging stretches.

Landscape and destinations in the surrounding area

The Forre del Rio Grande route ends below the Cascata di S. Francesco waterfall. Monte delle Croci is located nearby; other mountains around Valfabbrica include Monte dei Cani, Monte Subasio and Monte Citerna.

Several historic destinations are also located around Valfabbrica. These include the ancient site of Rocca Maggiore Castle, the ancient site of the Temple of Minerva, the Sacro convento di S. Francesco monastery (Assisi, Italy) and the Abazzia Montelabate monastery.

Palio di Valfabbrica and Giostra d’Italia

The Palio di Valfabbrica provides a special point of reference in the calendar. The historical, cultural, social and gastronomic festival lasts ten days; its final day always falls on the first Sunday in September. The “Giostra d’Italia” also takes place on this final day, every year on the first Sunday in September. It includes the Corsa degli Anelli, Corsa del Saracino and Scontro Diretto competitions.

Area Camper Valfabbrica

The Area Camper Valfabbrica is located at the entrance to Valfabbrica on Via San Benedetto.

Discover more places

You can explore the following nearby destinations in the same area: Casenove, Montelovesco, Izzalini, San Brizio, San Martino In Trignano, Selci Lama, Montebibico and La Fornace.

To the overarching travel overview: Perugia.