Sterpeto: Castle, Village Character and History

Sterpeto is a walled village, with Castello di Sterpeto as its historic landmark. The history of the area includes buildings and religious sites, as well as agriculture and community work. These themes offer different starting points for planning your trip: architecture, the village landscape and the rural past can each be explored on their own.

Castello di Sterpeto: History and Gates

The first documented mention of Castello di Sterpeto dates to 1056. The castle has two entrance gates. The older one has a rounded arch and is topped by a small tower. The date provides a historical reference, while the description of the gate highlights a specific architectural detail. In this way, the early mention is paired with a vivid description of the building’s form.

Hillside Setting and Walled Village Scene

Castello di Sterpeto stands on one of the hills around Assisi that slope down towards the Chiascio River. This describes its setting in the landscape. Sterpeto’s village scene, by contrast, is shaped by the impression of a walled village. A delicate greyish-yellow hue of sandstone and river pebbles predominates.

These two points of reference complement one another without describing the same thing: the hill and the river define the castle’s setting, while sandstone and pebbles shape the village’s appearance. Those interested in historic village scenes will find not only the castle complex but also a concrete sense of the materials and colours that characterise Sterpeto.

Agriculture and Community Work

The former fief of Sterpeto was shaped by agriculture. It included olive groves, grain crops, vineyards and orchards. These different uses paint a varied picture of the fief at the time: alongside grain cultivation were tree crops and vineyards. This agricultural past forms a distinct part of local history alongside the built heritage.

Silkworm farming was another historic activity. The residents of Sterpeto practised it collectively until the mid-20th century. The history of the area can therefore also be viewed through the work of its residents: the agricultural uses of the former fief and the community’s silkworm farming are two distinct aspects of rural life.

Churches, Chapel and Other Buildings

The Church of Santa Maria degli Ancillotti was built on 15 June 1633. The Ancillotti family, originally from Assisi, dedicated it to the Madonna. The church was rediscovered during excavations for its foundations. Access to the church is private. The date, dedication and foundation work provide different historical points of reference for the building, while its private access arrangements remain important when planning a visit.

The Madonnuccia Chapel stands not far from Castello di Sterpeto. Poggio Bucaione is an imposing palace on a hill between Sterpeto and Santa Tecla. The places are described in different ways: Madonnuccia is identified by its proximity to the castle, while Poggio Bucaione is located between two named places. A diocesan report published on 30 May 2017 describes work on a church, a bell tower and the house of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Sacrament and the Holy Rosary in Sterpeto.

Agriculture and Accommodation

Agriturismo La Palazzetta di Assisi is associated with a family-run farm. The current regional tourism description gives its area as 15 hectares and notes its olive oil production and cultivation of fruit trees and grain. The Palombara dei Conti Fiumi within the agriturismo is now used as accommodation.

Discover more destinations: Tordibetto, Missiano Di Panicale, Gualdo Tadino, Porchiano, Scritto, Santo Stefano dei Piccioni, Cenerente, Mocaiana

For the overview of the wider area: Perugia.