Castle from XIV century and church of St. John

The old village is all inside the square walls. Only after WWII was a thoughtless opening made on the east side. The strong, angular-cylindrical towers are well preserved. The castle dates back to the 14th century and is the best preserved in the Spoleto plain. In the 14th and 11th centuries it was the fortress of the Bitonta (or Botontei) family. On the large arched door there is a 16th century papal coat of arms (keys and triregnum mitre), with the inscription: “DOM SPOL. (Domain of Spoleto). Until WWII, the castle was surrounded by a moat. There are clear traces of the ancient drawbridge on the gate. The gate is flanked by a very high tower, topped by a tree, with arches and Guelph merlons. Inside, on a rise, is the 13th-century church dedicated to the Saint, which has been remodelled several times, with a beautiful 16th-century door and frescoes of the Umbrian school. The castle belonged to the territory of Normandy. In 1400 it was occupied by Ugolino IX Trinci. Until 1474 it belonged to Trevi. The people of Spoleto, taking advantage of the vacant seat due to the death of Alexander VI, had it taken by the venturier Saccoccio on 15 September 1503, since the castle had voluntarily submitted the previous year. Julius II Breve returned it to Trevi, to whom he himself had donated it in 1474 when he was legate of Spoleto. After the death of the Pope, the people of Spoleto ran to retake San Giovanni. There was a battle under Trevi, the Torre dei Molini (Tower of windmills) was destroyed and also devastated but the castle was held by the Trevans. In 1520 Leo X gave autonomy to the castle.