Side view of the Castle of Poggio di Otricoli with stone walls, a square tower, and vegetation along the slope.
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Castle of Poggio di Otricoli

Origins and history

 

Perched on the slopes of Mount San Pancrazio, Poggio (387 m) stretches among woods and gentle hills, a landscape shaped over centuries by olive groves and vineyards. Its roots go back to ancient times: recent excavations have uncovered traces of Roman settlements. The castle is first mentioned in a document from 1237, but by 1276 the fief, along with its possessions, came under the control of Narni. Only in 1815 did Poggio gain freedom from Narni’s rule, but autonomy was short-lived: unable to sustain itself, the village was annexed to the municipality of Otricoli.

From the upper part of the village, one can look out over the entire Tiber valley and the upper Sabina region.

Ruins of the Castle of Poggio di Otricoli: remains of a stone tower among ancient walls, vegetation and clear sky.

Castle of Poggio di Otricoli

View of the Castle of Poggio di Otricoli, with stone walls and tower, set in a hilly landscape.

View of the Castle of Poggio di Otricoli

The defensive architecture of the village

The village still preserves much of its medieval walls, reinforced by seven towers. Towering above all is the Rocca, an imposing 14th-century quadrangular tower, built at the highest point of the settlement. From here, the walls wind down the slope, enveloping the village in a protective embrace. In the lower part, perfectly preserved, is the Porta Trasanda, an ancient gate facing the valley, a testament to centuries of history.

 

Did you know?

 

  • The toponym "Poggio" is very common in this area of Italy. In medieval maps, it was called Castrum Podii Medii, meaning Poggio di Mezzo (Middle Poggio).
  • Along Via della Rocca stands the so-called Loggia of the Lovers.

 

Explore the surroundings
Main attractions in the vicinity