The first records mentioning Montone are from about 1000 AD. This is a peaceful village of about 900 people, some of whose families date from C17th. The original, gracious stone buildings are beautifully maintained, and are of about C15th vintage. The town square includes 2 bar/cafes, a butcher shop, a green-grocer, post-office, bank and linen shop. There is a church with a small museum, monastery, small hotel, and two restaurants. No cars are allowed, except those occupying the few garages off the one drivable street, or for loading/unloading.

Outside of the encircling walls, there is an Alimentari (grocery store), a Trattoria, a gas station, and a small new "town." From here, and beyond, "White Roads" (unpaved roads) which lead to small hamlets, criss-cross the coutryside, and are ideal for hiking.

In the center of Italy, Montone is ideally located for exploring major Italian cities and its countryside. The major north-south E45 highway is near Montone, and once on it, one is about 30 minutes from Perugia, capitol of Umbria, and its largest city.

Near the bottom of Montone's hill is Umbertide, about 8 Km away; a good-sized market town with its own "old town" including a cathedral and tower, modern shops and residential districts.

Spreading out in time, one is about 30-40 minutes from Assisi, Gubbio, Deruta (known for its beautiful ceramics), the Tuscan towns of Cortona and Sansepulcro (the birthplace of Piero della Francesca), and Lake Trasimeno. Ravenna, Siena, Orvieto at 1 1/2 hrs. away, Florence 2 hrs., Rome 2 1/2 hrs. (by car and train) and Venice 3 hrs.

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