Castel Rigone is a ''

frazione A ''frazione'' (: ''frazioni'') is a type of subdivision of a ''comune'' ('municipality') in Italy, often a small village or hamlet outside the main town. Most ''frazioni'' were created during the Fascist era (1922–1943) as a way to consolidat ...

'' of the ''

comune A (; : , ) is an administrative division of Italy, roughly equivalent to a township or municipality. It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions () and provinces (). The can also have the City status in Italy, titl ...

'' (municipality) of

Passignano sul Trasimeno Passignano sul Trasimeno is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Perugia in the Italian region of Umbria, located about 20 km northwest of Perugia. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy"). ...

Umbria Umbria ( ; ) is a Regions of Italy, region of central Italy. It includes Lake Trasimeno and Cascata delle Marmore, Marmore Falls, and is crossed by the Tiber. It is the only landlocked region on the Italian Peninsula, Apennine Peninsula. The re ...

, central

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

. As of 2001, it had 406 inhabitants, and is located 12 km from Passignano. According to tradition, the name derives from that of an

Ostrogoth The Ostrogoths () were a Roman-era Germanic peoples, Germanic people. In the 5th century, they followed the Visigoths in creating one of the two great Goths, Gothic kingdoms within the Western Roman Empire, drawing upon the large Gothic populatio ...

commander, Rigo, who in 543 had set here a base for the siege of

Perugia Perugia ( , ; ; ) is the capital city of Umbria in central Italy, crossed by the River Tiber. The city is located about north of Rome and southeast of Florence. It covers a high hilltop and part of the valleys around the area. It has 162,467 ...

during the

Gothic Wars The Gothic Wars were a long series of conflicts between the Goths and the Roman Empire between the years 249 and 554. The main wars are detailed below. History Crisis of the Third Century During the Crisis of the Third Century, Goths under ...

. The village has a late 15th-century church (''Madonna del Miracoli''), built by a pupil of

Bramante Donato Bramante (1444 – 11 April 1514), born as Donato di Pascuccio d'Antonio and also known as Bramante Lazzari, was an Italian architect and painter. He introduced Renaissance architecture to Milan and the High Renaissance style to Rom ...

. It's the hometown of the Italian Fashion Designer

Brunello Cucinelli Brunello Cucinelli (; born 3 September 1953 in Castel Rigone) is an Italian luxury creative director and the executive chairman of his eponymous made in Italy brand, Brunello Cucinelli. He donates 20% of his profits through the Brunello Cucin ...

. CastelRigonePassignanoSulTrasimenoSantissimoSacramento2.jpg, Santissimo Sacramento CastelRigonePassignanoSulTrasimenoMadonnaDeiMiracoli2.jpg, Madonna dei Miracoli CastelRigonePassignanoSulTrasimenoSanBartolomeo4.jpg, San Bartolomeo

Economy and Events

Due to its excellent position on the high hills of

Trasimeno Lake Trasimeno ( , also ; ; ; ), also referred to as Trasimene ( ), Trasimeno Lake, or Thrasimene in English, is a lake in the province of Perugia, in the Umbria region of Italy on the border with Tuscany. The lake has a surface area of , m ...

, the town is a tourist destination and has a strong development in

agritourism Agritourism or agrotourism involves any agriculturally based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch. It encompasses a wide range of activities, including direct-to-consumer sales such as farm stands and u-pick, agricultu ...

. The proximity of vast wooded areas also makes it ideal for trekking, horseback riding and bird watching enthusiasts. There is a small amusement park, currently in poor condition. The offer of services is completed by a minimarket, a pharmacy, a doctor's office, some ATMs, various bars and a mechanical workshop. Since the Middle Ages the village has been renowned for the treatment of respiratory diseases (Clinica La Castellana). The small hospital still exists (now the seat of an Archconfraternity built in the 15th century by the Sovereign Hospitaller Order of St. John, Rhodes and Malta (Order of Malta) as an annex of their settlement and Castello di Magione (6 km) still owned of the order. Every year there is the Festa dei Barbari and the Giostra di Arrigo (since 1984), to commemorate the era of the

foundation. The historical processions in costume take place in the first week of August, coinciding with the Celtic festival of

Lughnasadh Lughnasadh, Lughnasa or Lúnasa ( , ) is a Gaels, Gaelic festival marking the beginning of the harvest season. Historically, it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. Traditionally, it is held on 1 August, or abo ...

(in honor of the god Lugh, giver of abundance and wisdom). Also every year (since 1997) a very popular International Festival of Young Concert Players is held in July and August, with the participation of numerous national and international artists and high-level "ensembles", in the suggestive Piazza Sant'Agostino and in the Church of the Madonna of Miracles.

Notable People

(b.1953), Fashion Designer.

References

{{authority control Hilltowns in Umbria Frazioni of the Province of Perugia