Location

THE ANCIENT HOSPITAL OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF ASSISI, THE PALAZZO DEL MONTE FRUMENTARIO, WILL HOST THE SEVENTEENTH EDITION OF THE WORLD TOURISM EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 24 AND 25, 2026

Originally a hospital for the Municipality of Assisi, one of the very first in all of Italy, the Palazzo del Monte Frumentario was built in 1267 outside the first Roman city walls, on the road that still leads to the Basilica of San Francesco.

The three-story building is entered through a portico with seven segmental arches supported by small columns topped with Byzantine capitals sculpted by Venetian stonemasons. The façade is decorated with frescoes painted in the early 14th century by an Umbrian follower of Giotto. The entrance door leads into a large hall decorated with New-Gothic frescoes and enlightened by a large window overlooking the valley.

The title of Monte Frumentario dates back to 1746, when Bishop Ottavio Ringhieri moved here the headquarters of the Monte Frumentario Barberini, a charity institution founded in 1634 by Cardinal Antonio Barberini, there. Unlike the Monti di Pietà (mounts of piety) that offered financial loans at a moderate interest to those in need, the Monte Frumentario (wheat mount) was used for the lending of grain and other agricultural products.

After various uses, always related to cultural and entertainment events, since 2010, following a major restoration project, the palace has been used as one of the most evocative exhibition venues in Umbria.