Alviano

Alviano in medieval documents is known as "Albianum" name that indicates possession, the agricultural land of a "gens".
In this case it is a name that recalls the praedial "praedium"of the "gens albia" that here was a country estate with villa.
It is believed that the first settlement of the villa or Albian praedium Albianum should be sought on the hill between Lugnano and Alviano, where there is still the name "La Villa ".

Continuing our quick flight over historic Alviano, remember that towards the end of the tenth century, the Lombards and then the "Comites"who had come from Germany to the Emperor Otto III, then began to settle along the Via Tiberina, remaining thereafter related to the local barons, such as Alviano, the Orsini, Colonna, Caetani.
Alviano's got the title of "Noble Orvieto and Orvieto with Aterno split the events, alliances and struggles with the city of Todi, Amelia and all the castles of the Tiber.
At the beginning of the thirteenth century, officially appear among the "Domicella" of Orvieto.
Spoleto, with the strong expansion of his duchy, leaves no room for other landowners in order to maintain the autonomy of their estates, they prefer to have contact with Orvieto and Todi, instead of the Duchy of Spoleto.

On 13 November 1290, the Alviano Orvieto participate with all the nobility and the blessing of the foundation stone of the cathedral of Orvieto and contribute to the implementation of the factory with abundant offerings.

In 1300, Offreduccio and Giannotto Alviano, with the concurrence of Ugolino, make an act of submission to Orvieto, Todi for protection against their property Alviano, Guardea and Jupiter.
In 1301, the Noble Ugolinuccio of Alviano was elected Mayor of Orvieto.

This center Amerino reached its maximum splendor in the days of Bartolomeo Alviano, who between '400 and '500 was known throughout Europe for his exploits in war, as captain, and for relations with the most powerful families of that era.

It is that Bartholomew was responsible for the reconstruction and extension of the ancient fortress built around 1000 by Count Offredo.

In 1654 the castle was bought by Donna Olimpia Maidalchini-Pamphili cognata of Innocent X to 265,000 crowns.

Donna Olimpia remained in the popular legends related to his licentious customs.