Festa d'autunno, Monte Santa Maria Tiberina, 23-25 Oct 2009

The ancient tiny hilltop hamlet of Monte Santa Maria Tiberina is host to the annual Autumn Festival this coming weekend.

For three days the cobbled streets are filled with stalls serving roasted chestnuts, porchetta, woodland goodies like Porcini mushrooms and truffles, locals parade through the streets in medieval dress and there is flame throwing and other entertainment!

The Monte is really, really old with Etruscan origins. If you visit the village today, you can still see the form and layout of medieval times. It is perched high on the hillside with incredible views over the Upper Tiber Valley. The main tower is visible for miles around, even from neighbouring Tuscany and is a real local landmark.

On Friday 23rd the Festa opens with a dinner in the old castle at 21.00. On Saturday 24th October, from 16.00 onwards there are typical artisan stalls and medieval entertainment. On the morning of Sunday 25th, you can walk in the local woods looking for mushrooms and chestnuts, have lunch in the Taverna del Gatto and in the afternoon see the flagthrowers from Castiglion Fiorentino (Sbandieratori).

A lovely, traditional weekend in Umbria, really worth taking part in.