Stemma del comune di Bevagna Gonfalone del comune di Bevagna

Bevagna

History of Bevagna

The town of Bevagna has pre-roman origins. Inhabited by the Umbrii, had Etruscans influences: the name probably derives from a Etruscan name, Mefana, which became Mevania in Latin. We have reports of Bevagna as early as 308 BC, when the Latin historian Livio cites Bevagna as the site of a battle between an Umbrian army and Romans.

"Dicto paruit consul magnisque itineribus to Mevaniam, ubi tum copiae Umbrorum erant, perrexit."

Some historians doubt on the veracity of the battle, but it is certain that the city was allied with Rome in 295 BC and later became Roman municipality, in 90 BC, under the tribe Aemilia. The city was prosperous: today it is possible to admire the baths, decorated with beautiful frescos, the remains of the theater, on top of which there were built medieval houses, the amphitheater, outside the medieval walls, some Latin inscriptions, a domus, several findings of walls, part of a temple, which was converted into a church. The prosperity of the city was due to the navigability of the rivers, like the Topino and the Timia, and the passage of the Via Flaminia, the eastern branch, from Ocriculum (Otricoli), Carsulae, Ara ad Martis (Massa Martana), which then went to be reunited with the other arm that passed for Spoletium (Spoleto). This second stretch over time became the preferred, while the other fell into disuse, probably because of difficulties in maintenance. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the city became gastaldato of the Duchy of Spoleto. Following the spread of Christianity, the city had also a martyr, St. Vincent, the patron saint of the city. The city suffered severe damages in various historical periods: it was destroyed by Frederick Barbarossa around 1152, Count of Anjou and Trinci from Foligno, to the domain of whom had rebelled. Maybe the Roman walls described by Pliny the Elder, who, together with the walls of Arezzo, are among the few examples of walls built with raw bricks. Examples of opus reticolatum are in the northern part of town. After the domain State of the Church, became a free municipality governed by consuls; later came under the domination of Trinci of Foligno, then return permanently under the direct control of the Church, until the Unity of Italy.

Attractions in Bevagna

Bevagna offers many opportunities for leisure to travelers: the city is part of Borghi più belli d'Italia (the most beautiful towns in Italy), an association that brings together many of the small towns in Italy. One can only agree: travelers entering Bevagna are almost enchanted, along the streets leading to the central square, which is overlooked by the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, certainly one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. In addition to numerous churches in the city, are also present the Chiesa di Madonna della Valle and Madonna delle Grazie, which dominates the city, built along the ancient Via Flaminia by a traveler returning from Rome in the sixteenth century. Inside the walls is possible to visit the remains Romany already mentioned, and the municipal art gallery. Worthy of note is the festila of Gaite, which takes place every year in June; the event brings back the town over time, offering glimpses of medieval life and shops, remarkable trades, re-enactments of ancient mestrieri medieval, as the spinning silk, art glass, the blacksmith, rope, processing paper, parchment. Bevagna is also famous for being part of the area of production of DOC and DOCG wines of Montefalco as Sagrantino DOCG. Many wineries are operating in the area of Bevagna.

Bevagna tra i Borghi più belli d'Italia Bevagna tra i borghi più belli d'Italia