Ancaiano at the foot of Monte Fionchi

Location and townscape

Ancaiano lies at the foot of Monte Fionchi. Its houses stretch along a rocky slope between the lower Palazzotto and the upper Rocca. The village is also one of the small settlements arranged in a ring around the Montagna Spoletina massif. The description of the village therefore works at two scales: the rocky slope defines the location of the houses, while the ring of settlements places Ancaiano in the wider surroundings of the massif.

Building history and churches

Castello di Ancaiano was probably built in the 11th century by nobles of the Ancaiani family. Rocca di Ancaiano is privately owned by descendants of a female branch of the Ancaiani family; access is via a private road above the village. Since the access road is private, check the access conditions locally before heading to the Rocca.

Below the village lies the Church of San Martino. It dates from the 14th century and was remodelled in the 18th century. The single-nave interior has a Renaissance structure and 18th-century stucco decorations. Single-nave means that the interior consists of one nave; this makes it possible to distinguish the basic layout from the later decoration.

Another religious landmark is the Church of San Giovanni Battista. It is the only surviving evidence of three hermitages that once belonged to the parish of San Martino in Ancaiano. Historically, the hermitage stood on the route from Spoleto via Monteluco and Patrico to Monte Fionchi and onward to the Valnerina. Every year, two parish pilgrimages go to the Hermitage of San Giovanni Battista, on 24 June and 29 August. Check the dates locally before planning a visit around them.

The two churches have different points of emphasis: San Martino stands out for its building history and interior, while San Giovanni Battista links the history of the hermitages with a historic route and recurring pilgrimage dates. Several route connections are also important for understanding the hermitage: the route via Spoleto, Monteluco and Patrico is part of its historical description; the Ancaiano–Le Cese itinerary also leads to the hermitage.

Trails and orientation

The Ancaiano–Le Cese itinerary leads to the Hermitage of San Giovanni Battista in the Ancaiano–Le Cese area. There is a CAI marker at the start of the described itinerary; none were found on the further section that was surveyed. Do not expect continuous CAI markings there. Markings and trail conditions can change; check the current situation locally before setting out.

In the Ancaiano–Le Cese area, the Acero minore stands at the edge of the forest, a few hundred metres from the Hermitage of San Giovanni Battista.

In the wider surroundings of Ancaiano, an unmarked route of about eight kilometres starts at the pass between Le Cese and Ancaiano and loops around the summit of Monte Solenne to San Pietro in Valle Abbey. Check the current trail conditions locally before planning this route.

For the main travel overview: Spoleto.