Compignano: Borgo, Terracotta and Hills

Compignano between the valley, borgo and heritage

Compignano sits high above the Nestore Valley. Its agricultural surroundings range from gentle hills to the more rugged terrain in the western part of the Marsciano area. The transition brings together two distinct types of landscape. If you are looking for a hotel in Compignano, these themes can help you get a sense of the place and plan your trip: the medieval borgo, the history of brick and terracotta production, or a cycling tour.

The borgo and its architectural history

The medieval borgo has retained its old layout. Within its well-preserved circular walls, the Castello di Compignano retains its historic grid plan. “Grid plan” refers to the layout of the inner area, while the circular shape describes the walls. The two terms therefore complement each other, describing a feature of the inner layout and one of the enclosure without meaning the same thing.

The Chiesa della Madonna del Crocifisso adds a distinctive feature: this small church, built of terracotta bricks, dates to the late 16th century and was restored in 1966. Its construction date, materials and restoration year give it an architectural history distinct from the medieval layout of the village. The terracotta also connects the church with Compignano’s brick and terracotta production, which can also be explored at the museum and production sites.

Terracotta and brick production

The Museo dinamico del Laterizio e delle Terrecotte has a small museum outpost in Compignano. Its associated workshop introduces visitors to the craft skills and techniques involved in terracotta processing. A tour of the entire municipality starts at this museum and includes Compignano’s production sites. The museum outpost and the municipality-wide tour offer two distinct ways to explore the subject: the workshop focuses on skills and techniques, while the tour places production sites in a wider geographical context. The ancient brickworks document pre-industrial brick production. A restored old brickworks near Compignano also bears witness to the historical importance of brickmaking in the area.

Cycling routes and orientation

Compignano is also a stop on the 47-kilometre cycling tour “Media Valle Tour – Tra i lecci e le querce della valle del Tevere” (Media Valle Tour – Among the Holm Oaks and Oaks of the Tiber Valley). After about 11 kilometres, the tour reaches a turn-off at the “Fornace di Compignano”.

The route descriptions offer different guidance: the Media Valle Tour gives the total distance and a turn-off, while the “Compignano–Montelagello–Mercatello” route recommends a short break at Fornace. Information boards there tell visitors about local brickmaking. One route thus provides a waymarker, while the other offers a themed stop.

For road navigation, Compignano connects the hill road with the extension of Via Sette Valli, the ancient Via Orvietana. This road connection differs from the waypoints on the two routes: it describes how the roads link up in Compignano, while the tours identify a stop, a turn-off and a themed break at Fornace.

Discover more destinations: Pitigliano, Verchiano, Porto, Scheggino, Passaggio Di Assisi, Piana, Casacastalda, Trestina

For the wider travel overview: Perugia.