Castle of Colle del Marchese and church of St. Pancras

The ancient and noble Parenzi family from Spoleto had vast estates here. Of the ancient castle, only a few remains of the walls, the entrance gate and the quadrangular tower, later transformed into a bell tower, remain. Goatskins of boiling oil were poured several times from the tower against enemy attacks. On each occasion, it was able to resist with indomitable tenacity, thanks also to an improvised armed garrison of peasants, who armed themselves with tridents and sticks at the first signs of battle, even launching the shepherds’ dogs to attack. Inside the castle is the 13th-century church of St. Pancras, with the addition of a 15th-century pentagonal apse. Just outside the town are the remains of the Chiesa della Stelletta (Church of small star), preserving early medieval artefacts, and in the open countryside stands the Church of S. Maria della Selva Mattutina, whose walls show traces of 12th-13th century ashlar constructions and, on the outer wall, a portal dated 1692 bearing a fragment of Romanesque sculpture (vine-shoots and bunches of grapes).