Torgiano, founded in Roman times, lies on the hills overlooking the Tiber River valley.

Called Torsciano in the 17th-century municipal documents, Torgiano perhaps owes its name to the 13th-century Tower of Giano, although it is more likely derived from Trausan, a Lombard expression referring to the marshland at the base of the hill on which it stands. Formerly assigned to the Byzantines, the Castrum Trosciani was refounded in 1274 by order of a growing Perugia municipality, later reinforced by a bastion of the Castrum Grifonis—present-day Brufa.

Over time, Torgiano became a fortified village, to which a Ponte Nuovo (New Bridge) was added at the confluence of the Tiber and Chiascio rivers, built by Fra Bevignate; it was recognized as a municipality in 1426. Unfortunately, it was sacked by the army of Duke Valentino, escaping the devastating Salt War. In the 19th century, two estates were established, one belonging to the Meniconi Bracceschi counts and the other to the Marquis Pietro Ugo Spinola, while Umbria was witnessing a general disintegration of land ownership.

The medieval village holds many treasures to discover: starting from Piazza Matteotti, you enter Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, which runs through the center, past the Oratory of the Misericordia, the Church of San Bartolomeo—guardian of Felice Pellegrini’s Christ Deposed from the Cross (1588), Palazzo Manganelli, owned by the Baglioni family, the Palazzetto delle Manifatture Stocchi, and the former residence of the Falcinelli family. Walking along Via di Mezzo, you come across the Town Hall on Piazza Baglioni, opposite the baroque Palazzo Graziani Baglioni, home to the Wine Museum. The main floor houses the rich library and the 17th-century frescoed gallery. Outside, you’ll find the Pro Loco office, which once served as the palace’s stables. The Madonna and Child, a fresco by Domenico Alfani—a 16th-century Perugian painter and pupil of Raphael—on the wall of the Oratory of Sant’Antonio is enchanting.

Via Garibaldi leads to the Palazzo Graziani residence and the 17th-century Church of Santa Maria nel Castello, adjacent to the medieval hospital, the building housing the Museo dell’Olio (Olive Oil Museum)—once used for olive pressing. Then, Piazza della Repubblica and Palazzo Malizia, home to the MACC (Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art) with its permanent exhibition of Vaselle d’Autore (Author’s Vases). Following the route of the fortification walls, from Piazza Matteotti, turn onto Viale della Rimembranza to reach the medieval Torre Baglioni—a symbol of the village and a vestige of the ancient fortified walls—and the Church of Santa Maria dell’Olivello. Along Via Pasquale Tiradossi, you find yourself in a large space with a pergola overlooking the Tiber Valley, from which you can glimpse the ancient palazzo once inhabited by the Signorelli family. Along Via Giordano Bruno, you can see other sections of the medieval wall, including the Jaccera Tower. Finally, it’s worth returning to Piazza Matteotti to admire contemporary art, such as that of ceramist Nino Caruso (La Fonte di Giano) and painter Mario Madiai.

Tasting the Villages, Open Cellars, Calici di Stelle, and Vinarelli are just some of the village’s most popular events, offering tastings of excellent local products: Torgiano Rosso Riserva wine, Umbria’s only DOCG alongside Sagrantino di Montefalco, and Torgiano DOC, the sought-after olive oil, and traditional culinary delights such as torta al testo, schiacciata, torta di Pasqua, and mostaccioli, small ring-shaped biscuits made with must and raisins.