Monte Castello di Vibio

History

Montecastello di Vibio has a poorly documented early history. Some writers held that it originated in 980 through the actions of the Atti family. In the Middle Ages the settlement was considerably larger and more populous than in later times, as indicated by the remains of buildings and by the surrounding circuit of walls.

In 1254 the town suffered notable damage when Guelph cavalry expelled the Ghibelline faction.

In the medieval period Monte Castello formed a community under the municipality of Todi, and its relationship with Todi was marked by continuing conflict. In the late 14th century it was freed from Todi’s control and placed under the Holy See.

In 1392 Pope Boniface IX ordered an enfeoffment to the Atti family. Catalano degli Atti, associated with this grant, was imprisoned by Malatesta IV Malatesta of Rimini after Malatesta became lord of Todi in July 1392. After 1392 Monte Castello was under Ludovico Migliorati, nephew of Pope Innocent VII and lord of Todi, and in 1408 it was held by Ladislaus of Anjou-Durazzo. It later returned to the Atti line under Andrea and Giacomo, sons of Catalano degli Atti.

In 1464 Monte Castello passed to the Church under Pope Paul II. On 10 February 1470, by order of Paul II, it was re-entered in the land registers of Todi. During the pontificate of Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere, the lordship was granted to his nephew Bartolomeo Jacopo. On 29 November 1475 the community was returned to Todi.

A municipal statute was issued on 22 March 1516.

In the 17th century local magistracies were retained, but political authority was in the hands of governors, while the magistracies were limited to administrative functions. The papal governor was often a cardinal and usually did not reside locally.

In the late 18th century, under the administrative order of the Roman Republic, Monte Castello was placed in the Trasimeno Department. After the occupation of the Papal States, in 1809 the French Empire's administrative system created a local mairie. After 1814 the territory was placed within the Delegation of Perugia.

In 1860 it entered the Kingdom of Italy. On 29 March 1863, by Royal Decree no. 1260, the municipality adopted the name Monte Castello di Vibio.

In 1895 Montecastello di Vibio had 1,986 inhabitants.