The village of Ferentillo at the foot of the mountain, with stone houses and castle ruins overlooking the valley.
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3 Days in Ferentillo: Among Hidden Villages, Templar Mysteries, and Lost Fortresses

Day 1: Medieval Essence and the Mystery of the Mummies

Morning: The Two Faces of the Village

Begin in the oldest part, Matterella, a tangle of stone houses and stepped alleys fused with the mountainside. Admire the imposing Rocca to understand the site's defensive nature. Cross the bridge over the Nera River to reach Precetto, clinging to the slope in its distinctive triangular layout. Here, visit the Church of Santo Stefano and its hypogeum level: the Mummy Museum. Not a macabre attraction, but a unique anthropological record telling stories of life, death, and natural preservation processes.

Afternoon: Hiking Between the Fortresses

A loop trail connects the fortifications of the two villages. Start from Precetto and climb to the ruins of its fortress for a spectacular view of the Valnerina. Continue along the ridge to appreciate the strategic genius of this defensive system, part of a wider network of 18 fortresses that still define the municipal territory.

Day 2: The Templar Code and the Grail Legend

Morning: The Secret of Santa Maria

Return to Matterella for an in-depth visit to the Church of Santa Maria. Its true wonder lies in hidden symbolism: look for the acronym "S. GRAAL" in the frescoes, along with alchemical and Masonic symbols, and the unsettling figures of Lilith and demons. An enigma speaking of secret passages and the Knights Templar.

Afternoon: The Lost Treasure

A few minutes away lies the Castle of San Mamiliano, with its three concentric walls. In the church, admire the altarpiece by Jacopo Siculo and prepare for the legend: it is said to have once held Templar relics, later stolen. Nearby, the former Convent of San Giovanni exudes a palpable atmosphere of mystery: a refuge for the last Templars after the Order's suppression and the alleged hiding place of an invaluable treasure.

Abbey of San Pietro in Valle set in the greenery of the Valnerina, among cypress trees, meadows and wooded mountains.

Ferentillo, Abbey of San Pietro in Valle

Climber on the Ferentillo crag, on a vertical rock face set within the Valnerina landscape.

Ferentillo, rock-climbing

The Rocca of Ferentillo overlooking the village, with medieval walls and a tower on a rocky slope in the Valnerina.

Ferentillo, Rocca

The Nera River flowing through lush vegetation and wooded banks in the Nera River Park.

Nera River Park

Exhibition room of the Ferentillo Mummy Museum, with naturally mummified bodies displayed in the underground church of Santo Stefano.

Mummy Museum

  • Afternoon: The Lost Treasure. A few minutes away lies the Castle of San Mamiliano, with its three concentric walls. In the church, admire the altarpiece by Jacopo Siculo and prepare for the legend: it's said to have held Templar relics, later stolen. Nearby, the former Convent of San Giovanni exudes a palpable atmosphere of mystery: a refuge for the last Templars after the Order's suppression and the alleged hiding place of an invaluable treasure.

Day 3: Rock Adventure and Exploration in the Valley of Castles

  • Morning: Climbing at the Crag. For an active experience, the Ferentillo Crag is one of central Italy's most renowned rock-climbing spots. Routes for all levels, quality rock, and a view over the Valnerina that rewards every effort. For non-climbers, a walk in the area still offers breathtaking panoramas.

  • Afternoon: The Ghost Castle. Conclude among the ruins of Umbriano Castle, known as "the eye of the Abbey." Reachable via a scenic trail, this evocative site completes the exploration of the "Valley of Castles." Some theories link it to the presence of Cathars in the valley, adding a final piece of mystery to a land that never ceases to fascinate.

Explore the surroundings
Main attractions in the vicinity