This village is situated on the slopes of Monte Castiglione not distant from Cortona. Found on the right side of the valley of the Niccone torrent, it dominates the road network that runs between the Tiber Valley, the Trasimeno Lake and the Chiana Valley. At an altitude of 314 metres above sea level, Lisciano Niccone is 42 Km away from Perugia and 18 Km away from Umbertide. The area is of 35.52 square kilometres and the population amounts to about 700 inhabitants. This is a place where time stood still! Here one can take long mature walks, and taste the local traditional foods.

HISTORY ALLOWS US TO KNOW THAT...

It is certain that the territory was inhabitated by Etruscans. Proof lies in the existence of the hypogeum at Villa Sagrata and the fortified village Bellona on top of Monte Murlo. After the battle of Trasimeno and the defeat of Flaminio by Hannibal, the village suffered greatly due to the fact that it supported the Romans. This happened in the years 217 AD. It is said that in the year 126 AD was born the Roman Emperor Publio Elvio Pertinace, at Pian di Marte near Lisciano. He was the successor of Commodo (126-193 AD) and was killed after 80 days in government. His successors where the Severi (194-235 AD). During the Bizantine era, the whole area between Umbria and Toscany, including the castles at Lisciano, Fiume, Reschio, Pierle, Danciano, Pugnano and Sorbello, became strategically important because it allowed for communications to take place in this narrow fortified path. It was called the Byzantine Corridor, a defensive line which controlled communications between Rome and Ravenna. Today there are still remains of this path found between Perugia and the Alta Valle del Tevere. The singularity of this method of defense was characterized by the presence of watch towers and castles who were always constructed in twos. They face each other from Umbria to Toscana, such as, Lisciano Niccone with Pierle, Reschio with Sorbello, and Pian the Marte with Fiume. Some historians think that his method of defense can date back even to the 6th or 7th century. In 1202 the Lisciano Castle, owned by the Marquis del Monte, obtained protection from Perugia and thus from the Church. In 1479 Lisciano Niccone returned to the ownership the Pontificial State, after a short period under Cortona. In 1861 Lisciano Niccone became part of the Reign of Italy.

WHAT ABOUT THE NAME?

It seems that the word Lisciano derives from the name of the land owner of the Roman Period, who was called Lisus or Licius. The historian G. Battista Mellotti thinks that it goes back to the Etruscan era who might have called the village Lepsana. The addition of the work Niccone is thought to be linked with the nearby torrent Niccone. This area was improved by the Benedectine monks who resided in the old Rifalci Abbey. Documents state that the church was destroyed in 1850 proving why only rubble and small remains are visible today.

EXAMINING THE TERRITORY ONE FINDS THAT...

Lisciano includes Pian di Marte, Reschio, San Martino, Val di Rosa, Santa Maria delle Corti, Le Crete, Le Crocicchie and Gosparini. Approaching Lisciano from Tuoro trough Gosparini passage and down Niccone one finds some lovely oak woods. This area richly filled with historical and religious structure, is highly equipped with the most modern hotels for tourists who want to tuor it. Part of the land found at Lisciano Niccone is covered with forests rich in flora and fauna. It extends till Passignano. The northern areas are covered with Turkey oaks, chestnuts, white hornbeams and beech trees. Here live wild boars, polecats, buzzards, owls, woodpeckers and more species who are extinct in other areas.

ECONOMIC STRUCTURE: A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE PAST AND THE FUTURE

Agriculture is no longer practisced in traditional methods but modern techniques help the farmers with the rearing of animals for meat and other products and the cultivation of tobacco. The hilly aspects of the region helps in the cultivation of cereals, while woods are the haven for edible mushrooms and chestnuts.

FOR SPORT ENTHUSIASTS...

The equipped trekking itinerary, organised by the Local Council with the help of the Comunità Montana of Alto Tevere. It is 6.5 Km long and can by done on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike.