The village of Arrone in Umbria, Italy

© Maurizio Rellini/eStock Phot

Step back in time.... Arrone in Umbria, Italy

Rising from the mists in the scenic Italian region of Umbria, the village of Arrone has watched over the Valnerina valley since the 9th century CE. Its narrow alleys, medieval houses and fortifications draw tourists to this picturesque region, known as the green heart of Italy. That iconic square clock tower, with an olive tree on top, is what remains of the fortress built by the Arroni family, the founders of the village.

And then there are the two churches. The modest 13th century San Giovanni Battista church at the top of the village – ‘la Terra’ to locals – has walls painted with figures of saints and a bell tower. Its Campanari di Arrone – the village bell ringers – are the guardians of traditional bell-ringing methods. Lower in the village, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta is also filled with gorgeous frescoes dating to the early-16th and 17th centuries as well as 16th-century glazed terracotta sculptures. So much history packed in to such a little village.