The town's name derives, obviously from the location in which the village was built: the Valley of the river Topino. Municipality in the province of Perugia, located near Mount Subasio and the Valley of the river Topino, surrounded by green hills, is a complex of several districts, built in the Middle Ages and rich in history.
Thanks to the special geographical conditions, the surrounding hills were already inhabited in Prehistoric Ages. Subsequently, the construction of the Via Flaminia, in the III century B.C., gave impetus to the creation of settlements in the valley. In the period between the X and the XI century several castles were built, around which several small districts developed, that, at first, became part of the Duchy of Spoleto, and later of the Duchy of Assisi. The district of Valtopina was founded in 969 A.D. between the hills and in the XIII century, subjugated to Assisi, it submitted the rule of the Trinci of Foligno and later passed under the control of the Papal States. At that time, the ideal conditions of tranquility enhanced the development of the whole area. During the Middle Ages it was possible to distinguish several smaller centers between the hills and a larger one in the valley, inhabited by hoteliers and those who lived of the transit and trade income, facilitated by the proximity to the Via Flaminia. In the XIX century this small town, known with the name Cerqua, became the main centre and in 1867, proclaimed municipality, it was renamed Valtopina.
Attractions:
- the Church of Santa Cristina, which is the oldest of the area, already mentioned in a document of the XII century. It features a stone façade of extreme simplicity enhanced by the presence of a staircase and a fine entrance. Inside are preserved valuable XV century frescoes;
- the XI century Church of San Pietro di Serra, which features a charming façade with a main portal and a rose window;
- the Church of Sant'Angelo of Pasano;
- the Castle of Serra, built between the XI and XII centuries and was the subject of contention between the local noble families for its particular location. Today of the stronghold remain only ruins;
- the XI century Castle of Poggio, which the seat of the Viscount and also of the Town Hall until the second half of the XIX century;
- the remains of the Roman viaduct near to the Parish of Fanonica;
- the XII century Castle of Galliano;
- the Roman villa;
- the remains of the Roman bridges.