Sillico: Cultural History, Towers and Circular Walks

Sillico lies in the foothills of the Apennines and overlooks the Pieve plain. Ancient buildings and important Renaissance palaces are part of the town, along with the remains of fortifications and the parish church of San Lorenzo Martire. Circular walks lead through chestnut woods and terraced vineyards. In Sillico, you can explore architectural and ecclesiastical history as well as a variety of landscapes and walking routes.

Towers, Church and Palazzo Carli

In the northern part of Sillico, the well-preserved remains of the defensive wall include a 15th-century lookout tower. The Torre castellana del Sillico also stands within the fortress: another tower with a square ground plan, dating from the 12th to 13th century. A medieval tower with a square ground plan survives as a ruin on the hill above Sillico. The different dates give each structure its own historical context.

The parish church of San Lorenzo Martire, centrally located in Sillico, is first mentioned in a papal bull of 1168. The church has an organ with a distinctive 8-foot Principal stop. This stop is typical of organs built by the Turrini brothers of Pieve Fosciana. As well as its early historical mention, the church therefore offers a specific example of regional organ-building craftsmanship.

Palazzo Carli also offers different insights into architectural and cultural history. The lower floor contains a large kitchen with a stone fireplace and a bedroom with early 19th-century frescoes. Since 2009, exhibitions of painting, sculpture and photography have been held in four rooms on the top floor. Works by local artists and artists known nationwide have been shown. The kitchen, fireplace, frescoes and exhibition rooms reflect the palace’s various uses and contents.

Events around San Lorenzo

“I banditi del Sillico all'ora di cena” has been held annually for many years. This historical and gastronomic reenactment brings Renaissance customs to life through music, performances and cuisine from the period. If you would like to plan your trip around the event, check the specific dates in advance, as they may change.

For the San Lorenzo festival, the Filarmonica G. Verdi holds a concert every year. Here too, you can check the dates before planning your trip. Together, the reenactment and concert offer two different opportunities to experience Sillico’s festival and cultural life.

Circular Walks and Hiking near Sillico

The Sentiero dei Mulini near Sillico is listed as a four-hour walk, with 475 metres of ascent and 475 metres of descent. These figures can help you factor the route’s duration and elevation profile into your plans. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Another circular route is five kilometres long and starts at the Sillico car park. It passes through chestnut woods with metati, traditional buildings used for drying chestnuts. Some of these metati are still regularly used for drying. The route thus combines the chestnut landscape with a local practice that is still maintained today.

A 1.7-kilometre circular route around Sillico also passes through chestnut woods, as well as terraced vineyards. It reaches a station associated with the religious Rogazioni rite. Compared with the five-kilometre route, it is shorter; the route’s focus also differs: the metati are central to the former, while the station and Rogazioni rite feature on this one. The two route lengths and themes can help you choose a hiking focus that suits your stay. Check current trail conditions before each outing.

Discover more destinations: Pontecosi

Go to the main travel overview: Pieve Fosciana.