Città di Castello

Città di Castello lies in the upper Tiber valley, between the Apennines and the hills of Umbria. Its medieval commune was drawn into struggles between papal, imperial and neighbouring powers. In the fifteenth century the Vitelli family emerged from fierce local rivalries to dominate the city and patronize its artistic life.

In 1474 papal forces under Giuliano della Rovere besieged the city for 67 days without taking it. Niccolò Vitelli, who had been expelled, returned in 1482 with support from Florence and was recognized as lord. The family encouraged artists and printing, giving the city a distinctive Renaissance character. Their rule ended after the execution of Vitellozzo Vitelli and the seizure of the city by Cesare Borgia; it later returned to papal control.