The history
In the lovely Tever's valley, 314 ms above the sea level, there is the town of Lisciano Niccone, rich of history and old medieval traditions. The oldest origin of the country date back to the Etruscan times, as the founding of an ipogeo near Villa Sagrata and the fortified village of Bellona on the top of mount Murlo can witness. But the name seems to take its origin from Licius, a rich landlord of the roman times who had several properties in the area. The word Niccus was added later, by the name of the homonymous torrent which streams through Val di Pierle, a valley that was reclaimed from the marshes by the monks who lived in St. Benedetto Abbey. In 217 BC after the tremendous defeat of the roman army at the Trasimeno lake, the towns of Lisciano Niccone and Bellona offered their military help to the roman troops. Due to their help, Hannibal the conqueror devastated the land. Not far from Lisciano Niccone there is the small town of Pian di Marte. Following some legends it was the birthplace of the Pertinace, the roman emperor, the successor of Commodo. The entire valley became important during the Byzantine time. Due to its good strategic position it soon became one of the most important centre of economic relationships between Ravenna, Rome and Florence. In fact it was a kind of wide and fortified corridor. The huge castles either in Lisciano Niccone and in the close towns, were the defensive line of the territory. In 1202 the castle of Lisciano Niccone, which was controlled by the Marquis del Monte, demanded protection to Perugia. After a short time during which it was under control of the Casali family from Cortona, it became part of the pontifical state. In 1861 it was annexed to the new-born kingdom of Italy. The close castles of Reschio and Sorbello and Pierle complete the medieval scene. If you follow the road to Tuoro, you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Trasimeno lake . A little further there is the town of Borghetto, where the tremendous battle between Hannibal and the Romans, lead by the consul Flaminio, took place.
