Monterchi
Monterchi is a small hilltop village in the province of Arezzo, in the Tuscan Valtiberina, right on the border with Umbria
Updated 21 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
What to do in Monterchi now
The story
The story of Monterchi
Introduction and location
Monterchi lies in the eastern part of the province of Arezzo, in Tuscany, in the area known as the Valtiberina, the valley carved by the River Tiber before it flows into Umbria. The village occupies the top of a hill overlooking a landscape of cultivated fields, olive groves and woodland, just a few kilometres from the regional border. Its position away from major tourist routes makes it a peaceful stop for those travelling through the Upper Tiber Valley, between the towns of Sansepolcro and Città di Castello, in a border area of transition between Tuscany and Umbria.
History and origins
Monterchi's origins date back to the Middle Ages, when the village developed as a fortified settlement controlling routes between the Tiber valley and the Arezzo area. Over the centuries the town came under the influence of various local lordships and city-states, sharing in the political events that shaped the whole Valtiberina, an area long contested between Tuscan and Umbrian powers. The urban layout still preserves the typical structure of fortified hilltop villages, with defensive walls, narrow lanes and a compact plan designed for protection.
Nature and landscape
The municipal territory extends across a hilly landscape typical of the Tuscan Valtiberina, with gentle slopes planted with olive groves and arable fields, interspersed with patches of woodland. Small streams flowing towards the Tiber carve out secondary valleys dotted with farmhouses and scattered farmsteads. The moderate elevation and hillside exposure favour traditional agriculture, while the country roads linking Monterchi to neighbouring towns offer sweeping views over the whole valley, especially striking at sunset.
What to do and see
The heart of a visit to Monterchi is the civic museum housing the Madonna del Parto fresco by Piero della Francesca, a work that draws visitors from around the world and alone justifies a stop in the village. Walking through the old town reveals glimpses of medieval architecture, stretches of the ancient walls and small, intimate squares. Nearby, walking and cycling routes wind among the farmsteads of the Valtiberina, and it is easy to continue on to the neighbouring historic towns of Sansepolcro and Anghiari to keep exploring the valley.
Flavours and traditions
Monterchi's rural economy has historically relied on hillside farming, with particular emphasis on olive growing and extra virgin olive oil production, alongside vegetable gardens and arable crops typical of the Tuscan countryside bordering Umbria. Local cuisine follows the peasant tradition of the Upper Tiber Valley, built around simple dishes of pulses, meats and garden produce, paired with wines from the Arezzo area. The village's shops and small producers keep alive artisan practices tied to the seasonal rhythms of the surrounding countryside.
Not to be missed
- The civic museum with Piero della Francesca's Madonna del Parto fresco
- The lanes and surviving walls of the medieval old town
- Scenic walks among the olive groves of the Valtiberina
- Day trips to the nearby towns of Sansepolcro and Anghiari
- Tasting the local extra virgin olive oil and other regional products
To see
What to see in Monterchi
Routes · Trovido Route
