The upper tiber valley
CITERNA

Castrum Cisternae as it was known, is of Etruscan origin and was one of the many Byzantine fortress's built, together with Monterchi, between the 6th & 7th centuries against the Longobards of Arezzo to whom, it later became a fiefdom.
During the Medieval period, there was a quarrel between the Ghibellines and the Guelphs and Citerna became the domain of the powerful Marchesi (Margraves) family of Colle ai Tarlati da Pietramalta then the Malatesta Family and the Papal State. During the Renaissance, Citerna was given to the Vitelli family, who enriched the town with monuments and works of art.
San Francesco Church (XV - XVI centuries) contains paintings by Luca Signorelli (Madonna Col Bambino - Madonna with Child), Pomarancio (Deposizione di Cristo - Christ's Deposition) and Raffaellino del Colle (Cristo in Gloria - Christ in Glory).
In the historical centre there are also, enclosed by mediaeval walls which end with the antique fortress remains, San Michele Arcangelo Church with Madonna and Child from the school of Giovanni della Robbia and Chiesa del SS Crocifisso with a Crucifixion on wood by Pomarancio, as well as the beautiful walking of Prosperi-Vitelli property, richly sculptured on the jambs and architrave.