 The name Monterchi (Mons Herculis - "Mount of Hercules"), seems to originate from a legend stating that the half-god Hercules founded Monterchi after beating the Hydra, a mythological monster with several heads.The history is still depicted in the coat of arms of the city's banner.The most famous cultural attraction of Monterchi is the fresco of the "Madonna del Parto" by Piero della Francesca, painted between 1450 and 1465 in honour of the painter's mother, Romana di Perino da Monterchi, who was born in town and is in the Museo della Madonna del Parto di Piero della Francesca.