Overview
Solomeo is a of the of Corciano in the Province of Perugia, Umbria, central Italy. It stands at an elevation of 273 metres above sea level. Solomeo is about 9 km south of the city of Corciano. The village is centered mainly on the hill top and the surrounding plain below is irrigated by the waters of the stream Caina.
History
The history of Solomeo is reportedly sparsely documented, but the settlement does have a precise foundation date. On 7 September 1391 the magistracy of Perugia appointed Meo di Giovanni di Nicola Galassi and Cristoforo di Pietro Tanoli to have the fortress of Solomeo built in the Perugian countryside near Meo's palace. They were authorized to compel nearby inhabitants to work on the construction, under penalty of imprisonment. After Solomeo was fortified, the parishes of Mandoleto and Montefrondoso were united to it. In 1399, after each of those parishes in turn built its own small fortress, they obtained permission to live independently of Solomeo. Today Solomeo has been largely restored by Brunello Cucinelli.
Religious buildings
The church of San Bartolomeo features a vaulted interior, three altars, an organ, and three bells. Saint Bartholomew is the patron saint. It was rebuilt in 1830, and a small square was laid out in front of it. The church was built to a design by the architect Biscarini and contains paintings by the Mazzerioli brothers of Perugia. The choir, five altars, the organ, and a tabernacle made by the artist Caselli to a design by the architect Murena, dating to around 1782, were transferred from the church adjacent to the University of Perugia. The tabernacle is included in a special inventory compiled in August 1810 by the Commission for the conservation of art objects of the Department of Trasimeno. The Madonna delle Grazie is a small vaulted church with a single altar and a circular fresco of the Virgin. It stands among acacia trees with an open outlook.
Other cultural heritage
In the cemetery there is a marble monument of the Gallenga-Stuart family, formed by a large urn with a winged angel in a mourning pose, by Giulio Monteverde. It was made in Rome and erected in 1882. In the early 19th century, in a field called Ponte Forcione not far from Solomeo, ancient objects were found, including an inscription that was placed in the lapidary museum in the cloister of San Pietro in Perugia after being donated by the Antinori family.
Other sights
* Church of Santa Maria di Mandoleto (18th century); * Medieval town center of Solomeo; * Castle Montefrondoso (12th century); * Villa Antinori-Touch (19th century). * Cucinelli Theatre, opened in September 2008, is a new theater in classical style.
External links
* * Solomeo.it - website for the village managed by the Cucinelli Foundation * Solomeo at Brunello Cucinelli.com