The town's name derives from the Latin phrase "Statio ad Martis", one of the antique Roman coach stations, located on the Via Flaminia. Municipality in the province of Perugia, located near the Martani mountains, bordering the province of Terni, Massa Martana is a typical medieval village, whose territory is crossed by the ancient Via Flaminia, famous for being particularly rich in forests and old churches. The economy is based on the production of fine wines, olive oil, truffles, while a strong income is produced by the distribution of the mineral waters, extracted from local springs.
The first settlements arose thanks to the construction of the Via Flaminia in 220 B.C. and in the area there are several testimonies of the Roman presence. Originally only a shelter for travelers and soldiers, it quickly developed and became a small town. After the fall of the Roman Empire , Umbria was occupied by various invaders, including Goths, who engaged a fierce battle against the Byzantines to conquer the territory. In this context, the village remained severely damaged, but managed to return to its former glory thanks to the particular period of peace, that it experienced under the rule of Spoleto. In medieval times it belonged to the Bonaccorsi, who, in 1094, built defensive walls, and in the XIII century, it passed to the Bentivegna and thereafter to the Papal States.
Attractions:
- the Church of Santa Maria in Pantano, whose existence was reported already in a document which dates back to the VII-VIII century, features a XIV century façade. Inside there are three naves and a series of Roman frescoes;
- the Church of Saints Fidenzio and Terenzio, built by the Benedictines in the XI-X century, features a XIII century two-tone stone façade;
- the XV century Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, flanked by a splendid Bell Tower;
- the Church of Our Lady of Peace, an octagonal plan building in Renaissance style;
- the Church of San Faustino, built on the ruins of a former Roman villa;
- the Abbey of Viepri, which was built in the middle of XII century in Romanesque style;
- the Church of Santa Illuminata with its adjoining monastery, built in the XI century;
- the Church of San Bernardino in Colpetrazzo;
- the Church of San Sebastiano;
- the Church of San Felice;
- the bridge Fonnaia of the III century B.C.;
- the early Christian catacombs dating from the III century A.D.