The Town of Sismano

The medieval borgo of Sismano is an easy 20 minute drive south of Todi through the beautiful Umbrian countryside. In the Middle Ages Sismano was an important castle in the region belonging to the noble Colas Iacobelli. Following hundreds of years of regional fighting the castle was eventually purchased by Bartolomeo Corsini in 1607 and has remained in the Corsini family ever since.

The castle of Sismano lies on the hilltop (433 metres above sea-level) on the provincial way linking Avigliano Umbro and the ancient hill top town of Todi. The castle and much of the surrounding lands are still controlled by Marchesa Ginevra Bruti Liberati Corsini, the previous owner of our 17th century farm house Fondo Le Teglie. The Borgo continues to prosper with restoration of several local farms, the restaurant, I Due Papi and a Bed and Breakfast in the borgo.

Castello di Sismano dates back to medieval times and has been the center of many regional power struggles since its original ownership by the noble Iacobelli. During this period the number of fireplaces vs. the population, determined the importance of each town as tax was assessed per fireplace. Sismano had 62 fireplaces and thus was one of the major towns in the area. In 1294 Bishop Benedetto Caetani bought Sismano. Four years later he became Pope with the name of Bonifacio VIII.

In 1324, Sismano was attacked and seriously damaged by the Guelfi (pro-papal) Army, formed by Orvieto, Perugia, Spoleto, Narni and Florence against the Ghibellini (pro-imperial) Army of Todi. In 1340 because of its strategic importance the castle was further fortified however, it remained without any strong line of defense for about a hundred years and was controlled by the town council of Todi until 1383. Sismano later became the stronghold of the Atti Family, changing hands to the Anguillara Family and after much fighting between the Atti and other interested families the castle was eventually purchased by Bartolomeo Corsini in 1607.

The Florentine Corsini family, were originally bankers and merchants. The history of the Florentine family goes back to the 13th century. Their influence grew in the 16th century - three Corsini rose to Cardinal, four to Bishop and Lorenzo Corsini rose to the Papal State in 1730 as Pope Clemente XII. Other Corsini were ambassadors, ministers, imperial-councilors, general captains of Papal troops and senators. By 1816 the castle belonged to Prince Tommaso Corsini.

The Parish Church in Sismano is dedicated to Saint Andrea Corsini, and preserves two great works of art by Polinori (Andrea Polinori 1586-1648) dating back to the XVII; the portrait of S. Andrea Corsini and Palmiro Alvi (Madonna del Rosario).