Montone

About

Dating back to the Middle Ages, the first recorded mention of this scenic hilltop town was in the tenth century as a fiefdom of the Margravate of Colle. In the 15th century, the town reached its peak splendour thanks to Braccio da Montone. A mercenary commander and unscrupulous politician, he transformed Montone into a county and made it his fiefdom. He also attempted to create an independent state, apart from the Papal States. This rebellion led to the town’s castle being destroyed by Pope Sixtus IV. While there isn’t much left of the castle today, it does still offer great views. Small and scenic, the village is one that rewards exploration - visitors can wander the cobbled lanes, until they stumble on landmarks lite the city museum, which houses an impressive collection of religious artwork inside an old convent.