Discover Casamaggiore

Casamaggiore sits on a hilltop ridge within the municipality, at about 354 metres above sea level. The town has several historical themes: a sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Cel, the history of two churches, and memorial sites connected with the world wars. If you are planning a trip to Casamaggiore, these different themes can guide your choice of destination and your search for a hotel.

Location and Getting Around Casamaggiore

Casamaggiore lies on the road from the main town to the provincial road connecting Gioiella and Pozzuolo. Another landmark is the Chiesa della Madonna della Neve, located in Casamaggiore on the road to Pozzuolo. The road from the main town to the provincial road and the church on the road to Pozzuolo mark different points of reference in Casamaggiore and its surroundings. The church is also linked to a history dating back to the Middle Ages and shaped by destruction and reconstruction.

The Sanctuary of the Goddess Cel

A major sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Cel was built near Casamaggiore, just off the ridge road north of Gioiella. Bronze statuettes associated with the site offer a glimpse into the sanctuary’s religious significance. In 1902, landowner Raniero Romizi discovered five such statuettes: three male and two female. All five bear the same Etruscan inscription, running vertically down the garment.

The inscription means: “I belong to Mother Cel at the place of Cel, that is, in the sanctuary.” Its wording thus refers both to the goddess and to the place where she was worshipped. The same inscription appearing on all five statuettes is a shared feature of the finds; the statuettes differ in the gender they depict, not in their inscriptions.

Two Churches, Different Histories

The Chiesa della Madonna della Neve was built around 1300. During the Second World War, it was completely destroyed by bombing and rebuilt in 1953. The church is also associated with the memory of an extraordinary snowfall in midsummer. Its construction, destruction, and reconstruction mark different phases in its history, while the account of the summer snowfall adds a distinct religious connection.

Another church, the Chiesa della Madonna delle Grazie, is associated with the earliest documented references to Casamaggiore. These relate to its construction by Duke Fulvio Iunior Della Corgna. The two churches therefore belong to different strands of the town’s history: the Madonna della Neve is notable for its long history and reconstruction, while the Madonna delle Grazie is linked to the earliest reference to the town.

Historic Routes and Memorial Sites

Casamaggiore was one of the 14 post stations of the Chiugi Perugino. The town is also connected with 20th-century history: Casamaggiore and the neighbouring hamlet of Frattavecchia were the scene of fierce fighting during the Second World War as part of the Battle of Lake Trasimeno. The Monumento ai Caduti di Casamaggiore commemorates the settlement’s fallen in the First World War, from 1915 to 1918. These connections belong to different periods and should not be confused: the post station points to an earlier role of the town, the monument commemorates the First World War, and the fighting took place during the Second.

Find Hotels for Your Trip

If Casamaggiore is your destination, you can start planning by deciding which themes interest you most: the finds associated with Cel, the history of the churches, or the memorial sites connected with the world wars. These themes tell different parts of the town’s history.

Discover more destinations: Torraccia, Torgiano, Onelli, Piana, Casalina, Passaggio Di Assisi, Calzolaro, Papiano

For the main travel overview: Perugia.