Bettona

Infobox CityIT
img_coa = bettona-Stemma.pngimg_coa_small = yes
official_name = Comune di Bettona
region = Umbria
province = Perugia (PG)
elevation_m = 353
area_total_km2 =45
population_as_of = 2003
population_total = 3855
population_density_km2 = 84
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|43|01|N|12|29|E
frazioni = Colle, Passaggio di Bettona
telephone = 075
postalcode = 06084
gentilic =Bettonesi
saint = San Crispolto
day = May 12
mayor =Lamberto Marcantonini
website = [http://www.comune.bettona.pg.it www.comune.bettona.pg.it]

Bettona (Latin: "Vettona") is an ancient town and comune of Italy, in the province of Perugia in central Umbria at the northern edge of the Colli Martani range. It is 5 km (3 mi) E of Torgiano and 12 km (7 mi) SW of Assisi.

History

The town is of Etruscan origin; its people are first referred to in [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/L/Roman/Texts/Pliny_the_Elder/3*.html#114 Pliny, NH III.114 ("Vettonenses")] , then in other ancient authors and inscriptions.

Main sights

Bettona still retains a complete circuit of medieval walls incorporating substantial portions of the original Etruscan walls.

The Pinacoteca Comunale in the "Palazzetto del Podestà" (1371) has a painting by Pietro Perugino, the "Madonna of Mercy", as well as other works by Iacopo Siculo, Dono Doni, Fiorenzo di Lorenzo and Della Robbia.

St. Maria Maggiore church, situated in the historical centre, is the main church of the region of Bettona. The gothic chapel, dedicated to Santa Rita, is the only remaining part of the Roman church. The main altar is in the shape of domed temple, by Cruciano Egiduzio. The apse was frescoed in 1939 by the futurist painter Gerardo Dottori.

The San Crispolto church was erected by monks to preserve the body of the patron saint (8th century). The current façade is by Antonio Stefanucci.

In the “Oratorio of St. Andrea” is a series of paintings from the school of Giotto, dated 1394, which show the Passion of Christ.

The town is also locally noted for its walled gardens.

External links

* [http://www.comune.bettona.pg.it/Default.aspx?lang=en-GB Bettona] official site, also in English
* [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Europe/Italy/Umbria/Perugia/Bettona/Bettona/home.html Bill Thayer's site]

"(Based on the page in Bill Thayer's Gazetteer of Umbria, by permission.)"