Collepino from above

Small Villages

The Small Villages of Mount Subasio Park

The Mount Subasio Park is the natural setting for the most picturesque villages in Umbria, romantic and picturesque places surrounded by greenery and characterised by extraordinary landscapes.

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Armenzano
Armenzano

Armenzano is situated at the top of a hill at the beginning of the Fosso Marchetto valley. A typical example of a settlement of feudal origin, it developed during the municipal period and has a compact structure and an almost circular layout, bordered by a ring road. The circle of walls is well preserved; from the round entrance arch, a narrow footpath spirals up towards the keep that dominates the entire complex.

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Costa di Trex

Costa di Trex is located in a panoramic position, 573 metres above sea level, overlooking the course of the Tescio river and the Fosso Marchetto. The name derives from the contraction of Costa delle Tre Chiese: in particular, it refers to the Church of Santo Stefano, the Church of San Bartolomeo and the Church of San Lorenzo, the latter being privately owned.

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Lanciano
Lanciano

Lanciano is a fraction of the municipality of Nocera Umbra. The term Lanciano derives from the Latin Lantius, indicating the name of the ancient owner of these lands. The built-up area constitutes the development of an ancient fortified nucleus, which originally had mainly a sighting function. The urban structure of the settlement slopes down the slopes of the hillock dominated by the medieval tower and develops on both sides of the ancient connecting road. At the highest point of the hamlet, 676 metres above sea level, stands the small Lanciano church.

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Collepino
Collepino

Not far from Spello, along a road immersed in olive groves, a typical crop of the area, is the village of Collepino. The castle is of early medieval origin and in the 14th century, to protect its inhabitants, it was surrounded by walls, large sections of which are still preserved today, as demonstrated by the tower that stands in the centre. It is encountered first, climbing up from Spello and travelling along the road halfway up the hillside that leads to Assisi along the north-eastern slope of Mount Subasio. Its history is linked to sheep farming and the Monastery of San Silvestro, which has been particularly important over the centuries.

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San Giovanni di Collepino
San Giovanni di Collepino

Continuing along the provincial road, one encounters the second medieval castle in the municipality of Spello. After the 1997 earthquake, it was completely restored and the Church of San Giovanni was reopened for worship. Over time, the castle has suffered various devastations due to the disputes between Spello and Assisi for possession of Rocca Paida. For this reason, it has almost completely lost its walls, but it is famous because, as the chronicles of the time report, St Francis performed two miracles there.

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