Palazzo degli Olivi (15th century)

Via Roma is a winding road that climbs steeply up the hill, and near the top you will find the large Palazzo degli Olivi. Since the early 13th century, the Olivi family had been sworn enemies of the Fortebracci family. While the Olivis had links to Città di Castello and the Ghibelline faction, the Fortebraccis were connected to Perugia and the Guelphs. In 1280 Faziolo degli Ulivi, in league with Tano degli Ubaldini, conspired against the Fortebracci family. On this occasion some members of the Fortebracci were murdered, a few of whom were in swaddling clothes. In Vincenzo Giobbi Fortebracci’s history of his family, published in the 17th century, we learn that the mansions of the most powerful families were located near the fortress. In fact, the house of the Fortebraccis was located a short distance from that of the Olivi family, separated only by the church of Santa Maria. The rivalry between the two families finally ended in 1350 when a member of the Fortebracci family married an Olivi.