Solomeo is a medieval hamlet whose foundation probably dates back to the land reclamation of the twelfth century that saved the valley from abandonment, thus marking the beginning of the agricultural recovery. The people working on the reclamation built their first houses on top of the mild hill, because the air was purer.

The monuments and places of the old town of Solomeo, worn and impaired by time, were preserved, embellished and restored to their former glory by Brunello Cucinelli’s humanistic spirit as a gift for the men of tomorrow, in harmony with the soul of the Umbrian mother Earth. MCMXCVIIII

The Church of Saint Bartholomew, dating back to the twelfth century, bears witness to the stability of the settling; the castle, built just some time afterwards, demonstrates the villagers’ need to defend themselves from the frequent forays and plundering of those times.

The hamlet is located near a road that, during the Middle Ages and most likely also in the Roman times, connected Perugia to Castiglione del Lago and Chiusi. In 1361, the inhabited centre of Villa Solomei consisted of one palazzo, a "casamentum", twelve domus, two small houses, and the Church of Saint Bartholomew. In the spring of 1391, the citizens of Solomeo decided to fortify their hamlet for defence. Quite probably, the construction of the castle was authorized by Meo “Iohannis Cole”, owner of the palazzo: indeed, in the town council meeting minutes, Meo was identified as the “commissioner”. The fortress was built just next to his building, “Iuxta Pallatium Dicti Mei”. Although the Castle of Solomeo was, in theory, already completed at the end of the 14th century, the town was still referred to as “Villa”.

During the Renaissance Villa Solomei – this is how the village was named and recorded in the ancient papers - experiences a buoyant population growth. The secluded and romantic Cemetery and the eighteenth century Villa Antinori speak of the lasting prosperity of the village.

Solomeo lies deep in Brunello’s heart as it represents the core of his family, business and spiritual life.

«Love of knowledge echoes in our hearts and nourishes great thoughts.» (Socrates)

The idea of gathering here all of the symbolic aspects of his life came to him in 1985: it was an unconventional choice that runs counter the trend in those years.

In Italy, back then, people preferred to be free from their ties to the land of origin and felt no regret for the loss of those values and traditions that are being rediscovered and sought after today, thus proving the rightness of Brunello’s original choice.

More recently the company business, which was initially established at the castle, was relocated to the valley below; the ancient medieval buildings now host the classrooms of the School of Contemporary High Craftsmanship and Arts, set up in 2013.

The Hamlet is now even more closely linked to the Forum of the Arts, and one might even say that the whole of Solomeo is an area devoted to culture, to art, to traditions, to history, to a happy life.

«I transmit, but I don’t create.» (Confucius)

The Forum of the Arts

In ancient Rome, the Forum was the place where people could meet for any social occasion. It was an open space surrounded by architectural buildings. Besides, in ancient Rome there were some beautiful parks, like the one owned by Pliny the Younger in Tuscany, a private venue where guests were invited to take part in official celebrations. Pliny’s villa was also brimming with architecture and it was surrounded by nature.

«We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep.» (Shakespeare)

The Forum of the Arts combines these two ancient models of beauty. Since when it was designed back in 2001, all of its elements were to be placed around the Theatre Cucinelli, a newly-built building in the Renaissance style, hosting plays, concerts and ballet shows that mark the passing of time in the hamlet. Opposite the theatre, there is an oval space called Amphitheatre, which hosts music festivals and shows during the summer.

Beside it, there is a terraced garden called the Garden of Philosophers, devoted to meditation and nature contemplation.

Finally, the Aurelian Neohumanistic Academy is the area devoted to meetings and conviviality, with a library containing classic and modern books.

Construction works for the new Universal Library of Solomeostarted at the end of 2021, a project strongly promoted and desired by the Brunello and Federica Cucinelli Foundation.

Solomeo, Accademia Neoumanistica Aureliana

The different areas are linked to one another by some green lawns, a pergola, fountains, hedges of rosemary, cypress trees and thriving rose gardens; the whole area overlooks an extraordinarily impressive valley.

The spirituality of this place is unescapable and you can perceive it as soon as you enter through the exquisite gate guarded by two stern eagles, which also look moved by the lively spirit.

However, today the Forum has expanded even further and it also encompasses a new building in the classical style, which faces the centre of the village and hosts the School of Contemporary High Craftsmanship and Arts; the Forum also includes the castle itself, which has become an extension of the school.

The fortified building overlooks the circular Piazza della Pace, decorated with olive trees and increasingly often used as a venue for concerts or artistic performances.

Today the Forum of the Arts basically includes the whole of Solomeo, a humanistic hamlet where the aspirations of each noble soul will find a welcoming home.

«Mysterious in the light of day, nature retains her veil.» (Goethe)