Comune di Lugnano in Teverina

Lugnano stands on a rocky hill, to the north and north-east it is protected by a chain of constantly green and easily accessible mountains. From the top of its ancient walls is possible to see the Tiber river, which laps his lands. Along the valley that takes its name from it, you can enjoy a splendid panorama. The predominantly hilly territory extends for about 3000 hectares of cereal crops, vineyards and olive groves from which extra-virgin olive oil of the finest quality is produced.

It is a town that boasts a very ancient history. In the Roman period it was certainly one of the preeminent centers of the so-called “Agro-Amerino-Roman” which presumably extended from the Via Amerina to Guardea village. All of this is documented both by archaeological discoveries, whose numerous finds are kept in the Civic Museum of the Roman Villa of Poggio Gramignano, and by Latin literature.

However, its nucleus still intact and visible both in the architecture of the houses and narrow streets of the village and in its monuments is the medieval one. Inside the walls, the Collegiate Church makes a fine show of itself, opening onto Santa Maria square, one of the most beautiful and significant iconographic and architectural examples of the Romanesque style. Dating back to the early 12th century, it was built, according to tradition, on the site of a previous church commissioned by Desiderio, king of the Lombards. The facade, decorated with a rose window, is enriched by an original portico with ribs resting on columns (pronaos added in 1230), one of a kind.

There are many other historical, landscape and environmental attractions in the Lugnano area, all to be discovered.

In 2014 was added what has become a source of pride for the Administration and the people of Lugnano in Teverina: the World Collection of Olives named “Olea Mundi”, which brings together a vast collection of olive germplasm from the main areas of the Mediterranean and from more recently introduced overseas areas of the culture.

The Collection was created by Prof. Fontanazza during his decades of study and collection of olive cultivars at the CNR-ISAFoM and characterized with the scientific contribution of the CNR-IBBR.

The Lugnano Collection owes its origin to the almost twin collection of Pergusa in the Province of Enna. In fact, the first 300 accessions that formed the central nucleus of the Collection were taken from Pergusa. In the last few years the Lugnano Collection has expanded with the addition of about 70 new accessions from the recovery of Umbrian germplasm thanks to the work of the CNR-IBBR.

With the funds of the PSR for Umbria, the coordination of activities by 3A-PTA and the Umbria Region, the concession of land by the Agricultural University of Lugnano (Comunanza Agraria) it was thus possible to create this important conservatory of Biodiversity olive tree. It is based in Felceti, near the site of the Roman Villa of Poggio Gramignano, thus creating a unique combination of human and agricultural history of which the local community is deeply proud.