The village of Torgiano is situated on a hill at the confluence of the Tiber and Chiascio rivers and is surrounded by extensive valleys. Upon reaching Torgiano, the visitor is struck by the splendid hills covered in vineyards which are used to produce the territory’s historical wines, the quality of which is enhanced by the height of the average hill and by the high temperature ranges in summer between day and night.
The “Castrum Torsciani” (the ancient fortified town of Torgiano) was re-walled in 1276, on the ruins of a Roman settlement destroyed by the Goths in the 6th century. It was founded after deliberation by the Commune of Perugia and, thanks to its excellent location and fortification, it became a contested place of refuge during the long conflicts between the “nobiles and populares” which tore Perugia apart through the centuries. From this period, the isolated Bagliona Tower from the 16th century still remains. In 1540 the town was annexed to the State of the Church and in 1797 it was occupied by the French. Following the fall of Napoleon, a pontifical vice-governor took over its administration until the Unification of Italy.
The Museo del Vino (Wine Museum) is located in the 17th century Palazzo Graziani Baglioni, inside of which Paolo Brizzi’s frescoes can be admired. Opened to the public in 1974, it was designed and created by Giorgio and Maria Grazia Lungarotti in support of the local wine-producing economy. In its twenty rooms, the museum houses archaeological, technical, historical, artistic and ethnographic collections arranged according to museographic criteria which place it among the most significant “multiple” museums. Also owing its existence to the Lungarotti Foundation is the Museo dell’Olio (Oil museum), staged in a 16th century oil mill: ten rooms lead us to the discovery botanic features, cultivation techniques and oil extraction.
Among the unmissable events, there is the National Oenological Competition with Italian wine tasting stands (November); the Caselle d’Autore Vino Novello review (November); and the Vinarelli event which takes place around the time of the italian mid-August bank holiday and brings together art and wine by summoning dozens of artists and simple art lovers to paint using wine instead of water to dilute the colours.
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