Citta di Castello is one of the most northerly town in Umbria and is situated on the banks of the River Tiber on the slope of the Apennines mountain range. Positioned as a gateway to Umbria from Tuscany, throughout the centuries, it thrived has a trading and market town.

The original town dates back before the Roman empire, but was razed in 550AD to be rebuilt again by Bishop Floridus (later Saint Floridius) around a castle circa 585AD. Through the centuries, in common with towns in the vicinity, the rulers changed including at least two periods, when it was a papal state. In 1861, it became part of the Kingdom of Italy.

The town itself is relatively flat and the medieval walls, surrounding the old town, remain intact. Within the walls are mainly renaissance buildings, although there are some reamining examples of medieval architecture. It is a nice sleepy town to walk around for a few hours and have lunch.