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A magical place in the heart of green Umbria, which springs up along the banks of the Tiber River, rich in charm and tradition where - set like jewels among the thousand colors of nature - rise the seven villages of the town of Collazzone. Each of these hides stories and legends, and each alleyway leads to eras and myths of the past. With its imposing castles, centuries-old churches, high towers, and quaint medieval squares, this timeless place is a veritable treasure chest of which you will not want to miss any of the beauty hidden within.
DISCOVER COLLAZONE'S SEVEN VILLAGES
Collazzone, the capital of the municipality, is the seat of its governmental institutions. A village of medieval origin. Even today walking through its streets means immersing oneself in an extraordinary journey into the past. It is precisely by looking out from one of the typical towers of the time that it is possible to admire the magnificent view of the middle Tiber Valley, that opens up before one's eyes. A place of worship and prayer, it houses the ancient Convent of St. Lawrence (1227) and was the birthplace of Blessed Simon (1208-1250). History books mention Collazzone as the place where Jacopone da Todi, a famous religious man, and late medieval poet, died on Christmas night in 1306.
THE PLAZA
In one of the two squares within the castle walls is the Church of Santa Vittorina, rebuilt in the 20th century in local face stone on the ruins of the previous one. Inside is venerated the Image of the Madonna and Child, an oil-on-canvas copy most likely of a 15th-century relic that legend even attributes to Perugino or Raphael.
Despite consisting only of the castle from which it takes its name, the hamlet of Assignano has one of the most intriguing histories of the entire municipality. Formerly known as Coldimezzo Castle, it was - according to various historical reconstructions - a feud that belonged around the year 1000 to Bonifacio, founder of the Coldimezzo family - to which Jacopone da Todi's wife Vanna was also a member. The Coldimezzo Castle, given its strategic location also, was the object of contention in medieval times and was almost completely razed to the ground in 1444 by Niccolò Fortebraccio, nephew of Braccio da Montone, lord of Assisi and at war with Perugia - of which the nobles of Coldimezzo were allies. A few ruins remain today of what was one of the most important strongholds of the time, especially the main keep and the entrance gate. Visiting it means immersing oneself in a unique experience amid the scents and colors of the surrounding forests.
In one of the two squares within the castle walls is the Church of Santa Vittorina, rebuilt in the 20th century in local face stone on the ruins of the previous one. Inside is venerated the Image of the Madonna and Child, an oil-on-canvas copy most likely of a 15th-century relic that legend even attributes to Perugino or Raphael.
Canalicchio - a fusion of several local fortifications built in 1326 and, according to some, owes its name to "the dog of Hercules and his page Licha." It was a place of contention among the lords of the middle Tiber Valley between the 14th and 16th centuries CE then it became part of the Collazonese jurisdiction in 1827. Destroyed and rebuilt twice, the citadel that can be seen today is one of the most graceful and enchanting in Umbria. Just outside the city walls, it is possible to experience a true mystical journey by visiting the small church of St. Fortunato di Canale (13th century AD), which can be reached by walking through a charming coniferous avenue. On the first of May each year, as night falls, the traditional torchlight procession departs from the village streets. According to legend, the said procession is a ritual to grant a rich agricultural harvest throughout the season and a gratitude manifestation for the escaped plague of 1775. Wander through the alleys of Canalicchio today means retracing, step by step, a thousand-year of fascinating history.
In the ancient stronghold stands the Parish Church of Saints Philip and James (13th century AD). Almost entirely rebuilt in 1724 by Don Giovanni Fabbri, its interior houses several priceless works of art such as the altar with imprinted images of the Virgin Mary with Son in arms, St. Fortunatus bishop and St. Philip Benizi, the relics of St. Fortunatus, St. Anselm, St. James Major, and St. Philip Neri. Very peculiar is the history of Deruta ceramics representing Our Lady of Mercy: this one encircles and protects with the flaps of his blue cloak the people of Canalicchio, prostrate on their knees at his feet: this is an ex-voto from 1775 made by local citizens miraculously escaped the plague.. The original work, which disappeared in 1996, is now replaced by an identical copy.
Visiting the hamlet of Casalalta means traveling with the time machine to the days of Ancient Rome. Archaeological pieces of evidence found over the centuries, like coins, vases, and tombs, confirm the presence of numerous Roman-era settlements. While, for many, its name origin is nothing more than a translation of Domus Alta, for some, this is even due to one of Hercules' sons, Alteus. Like all the villages in the municipality, Casalalta Castle - erected in the 12th century - experienced its heyday in medieval times, when it was the scene of violent and bloody battles. The fortress was rebuilt several times due to destruction by both the hand of men and natural cataclysms, such as the terrible earthquake that devastated Umbria in 1587. If the location of the historic center gives visitors breathtaking views, reaching the village means being transported on a fabulous journey through typical olive groves and sights that leave one speechless, especially at sunset. Not far from the castle walls is the small church of Santa Liberata, whose worship is still very much felt by the villagers. Destroyed by Charles Fortebraccio in the 15th century AD, it was rebuilt by the people in 1571, and from 1674 the veneration of the saint was entrusted to the confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament of Casalalta. Every year, on August 8 and the Sunday after Easter, it is celebrated with a procession of about 2km in which banners and banners are hoisted.
The square in the heart of the historic Casalalta's center houses the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, erected in 1421. It consists of three altars inside - the largest is the Blessed Sacrament altar, with the choir adorned by paintings of the twelve apostles. The second altar is dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene and St. Roch, with canvases of St. Mary Magdalene, St. Roch, St. John the Baptist, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Sebastian. Finally, the last altar is that of St. Andrew the Apostle. A unique feature of this church is the old organ, paid 160 scudi and inaugurated on the 15 of August 1861, then restored in 1986. Behind the church, hollowed out in the surrounding walls, there is also the old Casalalta oven, which the villagers for centuries could use to bake bread.
Given its status as the economic center for both industrial and commercial activity (by its proximity to the E45 highway), Collepepe is the largest and most populous hamlet of Collazzone. Situated along the course of the Tiber River, the peculiar name certainly does not escape the notice of those who come across this hamlet for the first time. According to some, Collepepe came from "Colle Priapi" - for Priapus was a protector of the fraction in medieval times. Some attribute fraction's name origin to the fact that some of its inhabitants, returning from the Crusades, were the first to bring pepper plants with them (hence Colle Pépis). Like Casalalta, Collepepe has the most important archaeological find from Roman times in the entire area: the Roman Prisons. Made in the late Imperial period (1st century AD), a large cistern for collecting water remains of them today, either made to serve the baths of a Roman villa or used by the water system of a substantial housing settlement of the time. Going to the castle, on the top of the hill, one can still admire the tall keep at the foot of which the great gateway was built, the only access within the walls. Generations of children have enlivened the historic center by attending the schools that were once located there, while others have had the St. Pancras parish club as a gathering place on summer afternoons and long evenings. Finally, not far from the castle stands the Convent or Monastery of San Pancrazio.
There are two churches in Collepepe. The first church, inside the castle walls, is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta (17th-20th century AD). This has undergone several restorations over time, the most important of which was the one between 1898 and 1902 that led to its expansion and current neo-Romanesque design. In the church are kept two valuable 18th-century canvases, one depicting Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the other depicting Saints Sebastian and Pancrazio, patron saints of Collepepe, along with St. Eurosia. Noteworthy is the baptismal font, made in 1594, and the bell tower, made entirely of bricks, in 1926. The second church, outside the city walls, is the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel - inside, frescoed walls frame the most important of the frescoes present, the Madonna and Child with Angels, positioned just above the altar. On the church's outside front, two terracotta angels stand out and characterize the exterior.
The village of Gaglietole is situated along the borders of the municipality of Collazzone and towers imposingly on the hill at the foot of which the Puglia stream flows. Legend has it that it originated as a settlement of the Celtic Gauls (hence Gaglietole), who came down from the north even in Etruscan times. Although traces of Roman settlements have also been found here, it is undeniable that the charm of the castle of Gaglietole can be traced in its typical medieval elements. According to several scholars, its position made it a strategic stronghold of absolute importance for centuries and centuries. Being very impactful at first sight is the imposing tower with a circular base that towers upward. Of all those in the municipal area, the structure of the Gaglietole castle is the most distinctive: compact, from the few narrow alleys that converge in the main square, as well as the high surrounding walls, they give the feeling of being inside anancient impregnable stronghold. Strong here is the sacral tradition, with the worship of St. Christopher, patron saint of the village, Our Lady of Grace and Our Lady of Apulia, whose church is located at the foot of the hill. Its location is such that one can admire the boundless beauty of the valley below. Many events fill the village on summer nights, from the traditional Street Dinner to the summer soccer tournament, one of the oldest and most important in the area.
From the square in Gaglietole, a meeting point for the population with its club, it is possible to reach the church of St. Christopher via a narrow flight of steps. This one is of absolute uniqueness since it was erected in the 13th century A.D. using the same walls as the castle, which makes it lack a proper facade. On display inside are fascinating works of art, starting with the fresco of the Madonna and Child dated 14th century AD made inside the ancient sacristy, to the paintings on canvas depicting theLast Supper and Saints Christopher and Sebastian (17th century AD), in addition to the two representing Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady of the Rosary.
Situated between the castles of Assignano and Collazzone, bordering the Tuderte district, Piedicolle was born around 1300 as the union of a series of medieval settlements. Razed to the ground in 1438 by the troops of Francesco Piccinino during the many battles that over the centuries affected the territory under the aegis of Todi, Piedicolle was rebuilt after several attempts in 1544 at the hands of Mariotti da Marsciano. Just as with the other castles in the municipality, to visit Piedicolle Castle is to allow yourself to be abandoned by the beauty of your surroundings. Along the valley, the Church of Our Lady of Acquasanta is an important place of worship and pilgrimage in the middle Tiber Valley. Every summer, the St. James Major Night Tournament is held at the town's ACLI club, now in its 40th year in 2022.
Adjacent to the vast main square and at one of the city walls, the three-arched facade of the Church of San Giacomo Maggiore (16th-17th century AD) welcomes visitors to the village. The church underwent extensive restoration around the end of the 1700s, heavily changing its appearance from five altars - the largest of which was dedicated to St. James the Greater, with a canvas painting depicting other holy apostles with the Redeemer's ascension to heaven and numerous canvases of which all trace has unfortunately been lost today - to a single altar. Instead, the carved stone Baptismal Font, dated 1632, is preserved intact.
