One of the most beautiful towns in Italy, Panicale has been crowned 'I Borghi piu belli d'Italia', a selection of small villages throughout Italy that are considered to be the most beautiful. While Panicale has probably been inhabited since Etruscan times, it was a medieval castle built on the peak of the hill that formed the village we see today. One of the Italy's famous painters, Pietro Vannuci, known as Il Perugino, was born in Panicale and the local Church of San Sebastiano is home to one of his celebrated frescoes — The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian. Chiesa di San Sebastiano was built between the 14th and 15th-centuries, and later remodelled in 1623. The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian, a fresco painted by Perugino in 1505, is considered to be one of the artist's most important works in Umbria. Designed to decorate the back wall of the Oratory of San Sebastiano, the martyrdom was conceived as an abstract composition of geometrical figures. The central pyramid depicts four archers that seem to dance around the saint, who appear calm as he is pierced by the arrows. In the background is a bucolic landscape of gentle rolling hills, which was actually modelled on the view from outside the church looking towards Lago Trasimeno and the Valdichiana valley. In the same church there is also the breathtaking fresco depicting the 'Madonna in trono con Angeli musicanti', which has only recently been attributed to Raphael. It was taken from the St. Augustine Church in 1884, and is now being preserved in the Church of Saint Sebastian. Painted by students of Perugino, one of the startling revelations has been that four of the figures in the fresco, the Musical Angels, were all painted by Raphael, at age 12. It was an extraordinary experience to be able to get so close to these works of art, in private, and in total quiet.
The main gate into Panicale
Ceramic map of the village under the arch of the main gate
The Fountain at Piazza Umberto built in travertine in 1473 was once the village well
One of the beautiful Medieval walkways in Panicale
Overlooking Lago Trasimeno from the top of the village
A Panicale pooch!
Bronze statue of the Archangel Michael outside the Collegiata di San Sebastiano in Piazza San Michele
Interior of the 11th-century Collegiata di San Sebastiano
Above the altar is the 15th-centry "Annunciation of the Virgin" by Masolino da Panicale
Although blessed with a humble exterior, Chiesa di San Sebastiano is home to The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian, a gorgeous fresco painted by Perugino in 1505, and considered to be one of the artist's most important works in Umbria
The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian by Perugino
Fresco detail of one of the archers preparing his bow
Another archer is poised to launch an arrow at St Sebastian
Unlike most depictions of The Martyrdom of St Sebastian, Perugino's fresco show the saint with just 2 arrows in his leg and well before being riddled with them
The detached fresco "Madonna in Trono", or Madonna and Musical Angels, by Raphael,
who was originally a student of Perugino
One of the angels in the fresco playing a lute
Another angel looking heavenward playing a voila
Detail of one the double-wing cherubs
Fortified with the art of Perugino, it was time to fortify our bodies with the special Umbian cuisine of Lillo Tatini, our favourite restaurant in the main square of Panicale on Piazza Umberto I. A gracious host, Patrizia Spadoni always greets us with a warm smile and glass of prosecco as we return each year to enjoy a magical lunch. Named after Patrizia’s husband Vittorio's grandfather, a shopkeeper in Panicle who occupied the same space, Lillo Tatini is a culinary paradise. Opened in 1999, the dishes are based on traditional Umbrian cuisine using historic recipes and a network of treasured suppliers, the sophisticated menu features local charcuterie, fresh pasta, truffles, fish from Lago Trasimeno and game from the surrounding hills. The management of the kitchen, supervised and guided as always by Patrizia, is in the hands of chef Ardjent, and the cuisine is always exceptional. The afternoon we arrived for lunch, Patrizia was away with her grandchildren and we were graciously taken care of by Vittorio. Starting with a lovely glass of Prosecco, we looked over Lillo's menu swooning over many of the dishes we had enjoyed before. Dishes such as Carbonara del Perugino - Ravioli stuffed with quail eggs sautéed with bacon from Siena "Cinta" and special sheep milk ricotta from Norcia, Quel Ghiottone del Fattore - Handmade tagliatella dressed with Cintasenese pork and Chianina beef sauce, and Spuntino al Poggio - Deboned Rabbit with fagiolina del Trasimeno embrace the flavours and aromas of Panicale — our little corner of paradise.
Walking from the Chiesa di San Sebastiano back towards the main square of Panicale,
and lunch at Lillo Tatini
Lillo Tatini viewed from on Piazza Umberto I
Our favourite restaurant in Umbria, the weathered metal sign of Lillo Tatini
is like a familiar greeting by an old friend
The charming and inviting interior of Lillo Tatini
Wrapped in suede, the menu features traditional Umbrian cuisine using historic recipes
The attention to detail is found from the table settings and glassware to the unique ambiance, outstanding menu and gracious personalized service
Beautiful water glasses grace the table
Our host Vittorio pouring a lovely bottle of Prosecco
Hot fresh baked olive and cheese panini
Lillo Tatini's spectacular anchovy butter, which combined with the hot rolls is simply the best
Insalata Caprese with burata and pesto
Zuppa di Ceci e Costagna con pane tostata
Marinated Coregone lake fish with citrus pesto and rocket
Vittorio decanting our bottle of Sagrantino di Montepulciano
The Umbrian wine with soul
Il Preferito del Podesta: “Peposo” typical beef braised in Sangiovese wine and pepper in grains served with mashed potatoes
Carbonara del Perugino: Ravioli ripini con uovo quaglia saltati in padella con pancetta
di Cinta Sense e ricotta stagionata di Norcia
Quel Ghiottone del Fattore: Handmade Tagliatelle with ragu of Cintasenese pork and Chianina beef, and absolutely delicious — the best pasta of our trip!
Tiny mason jar of freshly grated pecorino for my pasta
Vittoria Geletaria by Lillo Tatini, named after the granddaughter of Patrizia and Vittorio
The beautiful logo for Vittoria Geletaria is an image of the granddaughter of Patrizia and Vittorio
The delectable selection of gelato was too tempting to pass by after our sensational lunch
Piccola ciotola di gelato di nocciole
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