San Bevignate is a single-nave structure with a square apse and a crypt. In its extreme simplicity, it shows clear affinities and similarities with the chapels built by the warrior monks in the Holy Land. Inside, visitors can admire rare and fascinating iconographic evidence: in the apse area, frescoes depicting Gospel themes, episodes from the life of Saint Bevignate (whose cloak bears intriguing pilgrims’ graffiti dating from the 15th and 16th centuries), and symbolic motifs linked to the Templar world (patent crosses, nine stars, circles, and so on). On the wall to the left of the altar is a Last Judgement, whose lower register features the rare and striking depiction of a procession of Flagellants.

Along the nave walls are later figures of the Twelve Apostles holding reconsecration crosses, painted over a decorative motif of faux stone blocks, a characteristic feature of Templar buildings. The most important frescoes, however, are found on the counter-façade, where historical and military episodes of the Templar knights are depicted, of exceptional historical and iconographic significance. San Bevignate, in short, is well worth a visit: it is one of the best-preserved and best-known buildings of Templar history—and who knows whether it might conceal the famous Grail within its walls…

A few kilometres away lies the village of Ripa, where the parish church of Santa Maria di Ripa once belonged to the Templars and later to the Knights of Malta. It houses noteworthy 14th–15th century frescoes.

Continuing towards Piccione, one reaches the Abbey of San Giustino d’Arna, granted to the Templars in 1237. After the Order’s suppression, it passed to the Knights of Malta, who still manage it today as an agricultural estate. The Romanesque basilica has survived, featuring three apses and elegant decorative arcades. Inside are sculpted capitals and remnants of Umbrian medieval frescoes, including the Martyrdom of Saint Giustino.

Other traces of the warrior monks can be found throughout Umbria, especially in the Eugubino area, Monte Cucco, and southern Umbria — traditional routes for pilgrims and travellers. Particularly evocative is the ruined fortress of Castel del Monte near Spoleto. According to an ancient French manuscript, around 3,000 Templar knights are said to have gathered here in secret after the suppression of the Order to decide their future.

Finally, tradition links the Castle of the Knights of Malta in Magione to an original Templar foundation, later transferred to the Hospitallers, an order devoted to the care and assistance of pilgrims.