Bettona (Umbria)

Bettona 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. Bettona still retains a complete circuit of medieval walls incorporating portions of the original Etruscan walls. The town was sacked in 1352 and very little remains save the churches that have since been completely updated. The town was ordered rebuilt by Cardinal Albornoz who built a small rocca where the Church of San Crispolto stands. The remains of a draw bridge can be found in a piazza now used for parking near the town's rear gate, Porta Romana. Santa Maria Maggiore church, situated in the historical centre, is the main church of the Comune of Bettona. In the “Oratorio of St. Andrea” is a series of paintings from the school of Giotto, dated 1394, which show the Passion of Christ rediscovered during a 1980s restoration. There is also a beautiful carved wooden ceiling and baroque altar.