From at least the 11th century, the area was ruled by the marquesses who took the name ofBourbon del Monte Santa Maria [it]. They belonged to the imperial marquesses who held authority inTuscany from at least 1014. Among the most notable were Ranieri I and Ranieri II. Ranieri II had a son, Ranieri III, who in turn had two sons, Ugo (also called Uguccione) and Guido.[3]
In 1198, the local castle was destroyed during a conflict involvingPope Innocent III, but it was soon rebuilt, and the ruling family continued to shape the town's development for centuries.[4]
TheMarquisate of Monte Santa Maria [it] remained under the control of different branches of the same family until 1815, with the exception of the Napoleonic period. French forces occupied the area in 1798 and incorporated it into theDepartment of Trasimeno. Control briefly returned to the Bourbon del Monte in 1805, but subsequent incorporation of Tuscany into the French Empire ended their rule.[4]
Following the Restoration in 1814, the former order was briefly reinstated before the territory was definitively absorbed into theGrand Duchy of Tuscany in 1815, bringing an end to nearly a thousand years of feudal authority.[4] In 1816, a decree of the Grand Duke established Monte Santa Maria Tiberina as an autonomous municipality. The municipal seat was placed atLippiano [it], a decision that led to long-standing tensions between Lippiano and Monte Santa Maria Tiberina.[4]
In 1895, Monte Santa Maria Tiberina had a population of 3,197 inhabitants.[3]
Disputes between Lippiano and Monte Santa Maria Tiberina over the location of the municipal seat resurfaced in the early 20th century. Although the municipal council voted in 1914 to move the seat to Monte Santa Maria Tiberina, the offices remained in Lippiano.[4]
From 1861 until 1927, the municipality formed part of theProvince of Arezzo. On 31 March 1927 it was transferred to the Province of Perugia, to which it still belongs.[5]
During the Second World War, after the town was liberated in 1944, the municipal seat was permanently transferred from Lippiano to Monte Santa Maria Tiberina.[4]
Monte Santa Maria Tiberina stands at the summit of the mountain from which it takes its name, at an elevation of 688 metres (2,257 ft) above sea level.[6] At the southern base of the mountain flows the Aggia stream, and at the northern base the Erchi stream; both are tributaries of theTiber.[3]
The surrounding territory includes woodlands and chestnut groves, as well as natural pastures, cultivated fields, and vineyards. Truffles and mushrooms are gathered in abundance during favorable seasons. The highest mountain in the area is Monte Marzana.[3]
The parish church of Santa Maria, from which the town derives its name, remains the principal church of the community. The dedication also gave its name to the marquesses of Monte Santa Maria, who were once known as "del Colle".[3]
