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Preci
Preci
is an
ancient castle that looks onto the Castoriana Valley and that
still has his sixteenth century appearance. It is characterized by
a thick net of alleys that lead onto the main square where the
Pieve of Santa Maria stands.
Around
1300 in
Preci
a surgical school
was established which
was renown throughout Europe for the removal of cataracts and of
kidney stones. The Carroci family played a fundamental role in the
operations of cataracts
and hereby earned
the title of nobility of the Sacred Roman Empire.
In Preci stands the “Casa del Parco” where you
will find all the information for the visit of the surroundings and
particularly to organize walks through small paths or important
footpaths such as the “Grande Anello” of the Monti Sibillini and the
“Sentiero Italia”.
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S. Eutizio
Syrian
monks founded this
ancient
abbey in
the
fifth century. From around the tenth century it is the place of
origin of the famous surgical school of Preci.
From the abbey start
a
number of footpaths
of various
lengths
for pleasant
walks through the Sibillini national park. |
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The
uncontaminated nature, the enchanting landscape, the typical
perfumes of the area will follow you along your excursions during
which you will discover numerous small centres enjoyable for their
history and nature. |
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Norcia
Among the most important centres of the Valnerina Valley there is
Norcia, hometown of St. Benedetto
and S. Scolastica
to whom
the church was dedicated.
The church was
built on the area where the house of St. Benedetto’s parents stood.
Beside being interesting from a cultural point of view, Norcia is
surely one of the most representative places of the culinary art of
the area. |
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Castelluccio
A few kilometres from Preci, in the heart of the Monti Sibillini
national park, you can visit
Castelluccio, which is one of the most beautiful and famous
plateaus in the whole of Europe. It is a place of remarkable
environmental and naturalistic value. Also, it is an ideal
starting point for excursions on the Monte Vettore (2476 m.).
Particularly
fascinating in June when the lentil blooms and the colours make
the Castelluccio plateau inimitable for its scenery.
The
Castelluccio plateau is well known in Europe for hang gliding and
paragliding as this is a perfect place for flying and for enjoying
a unique panorama in quietest environment you can hope for.
At the
feet of the Monte Vettore there is the “Lago di Pilato”, which has
been famous since ancient times. According to popular traditions
this was a "maledetto" (“damned”) lake because the body of Pilate
was supposedly thrown into it whereas
today it is important from an
environmental viewpoint because it is the only place in the world
where you can still find the "chirocefalo of the Marchesoni", a
small shellfish that swims with its belly up.
Visiting the heart of Umbria does not
only mean immerging yourself into nature but it also mean the
discovery of the rich historical and architectural heritage our
people are proud of and which we preserve with care, too.
Not far
from Visso you can visit the Sanctuary of Macereto, which is a
splendid example of the Renaissance architecture.
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Spoleto
Spoleto is only 35 minutes away from Casale Carocci. This town is
the ideal place for a historical cultural tour as it is famous for
the Duomo and for its alleys where you will find many interesting
shops of local craftsmanship.
During
the summer Spoleto hosts the “Festival dei due Mondi”, which is an
important cultural happening renown worldwide. |
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Fonti del Clitunno
Along the road that goes from Spoleto to Assisi you can stop at the
“Fonti del Clitunno”, which are celebrated since ancient times
thanks to many writers like Virgilio, Plinio il Giovane and Giosué
Carducci with his “ode Barbara Alle Fonti del Clitunno”. The place
was sacred to the Clitunno god, which was the embodiment of the
river. Woods
and a temple are dedicated to this god. |
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Assisi
On the western slope of the Subasio Mountain there is the city of S.
Francesco, which is a mandatory stop for lovers of art and religion
coming the world over.
In the
beautiful Basilica of S. Francesco, the symbol of Assisi, you will
discover the famous wall paintings of Cimabue and
his disciple Giotto.
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Perugia
The most important city in Umbria, Perugia is surely a
main destination for all
those who love art and architecture.
If you
leave your car at the doors of the city, through interesting
footpaths connecting the varying districts which stand at different
levels (roads and medieval stairways contrast with modern staircases
that cross the structures of the Rocca Paolina), you will be able to
reach the historical downtown where the Piazza IV Novembre with the
splendid Fontana Maggiore merges with Corso Vannucci. |
