Fabro: History, Architecture and Landscape

Fabro brings together a history of fortified settlement, distinctive buildings and a striking landscape. The castle, centrally located Church of San Martino and the Calanchi offer different ways to explore the town; local dishes and truffles add a culinary dimension to these cultural and landscape themes.

Castle and Architectural History

The historical connection with Orvieto concerns the fortified settlement; the castle’s topographic location is precisely defined: it stands on a hill offering panoramic views at an altitude of 364 metres, east of the Chiani River, and belongs to the municipality of Fabro. The castle was founded around the year 1000 and restored in the 15th century and again in the 16th century. Its 16th-century design is by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger (Florence 1484–Terni 1564). The founding date, restorations and design refer to different aspects of its architectural history: its early origins, later interventions and 16th-century design.

San Martino: Church and Artwork

The Church of San Martino is centrally located in Fabro in a scenic setting. It was built in the 19th century and has a brick façade. Its interior is simply designed: the floor plan is shaped like a Latin cross, has a single nave and ends in a semicircular apse. These terms describe different aspects of the space: “single nave” refers to its layout, the apse to its semicircular end, and the Latin-cross floor plan to its overall shape.

The church’s furnishings include a wooden relief depicting Saint Martin, carved in Val Gardena in 1930. San Martino thus brings together different periods in its architecture and artwork: the 19th-century church building and the dated relief. The brick façade, interior and relief provide specific points of reference for distinguishing the church’s architectural form from its furnishings.

Calanchi and Sentiero delle Crete

The Calanchi lie in a broad valley on the southeastern side of Fabro, in the Chiani River valley. Erosion of clay soils formed this landscape, whose natural formations have an almost lunar appearance. The formation process and the appearance complement each other: erosion explains how the terrain was shaped, while the distinctive formations convey its unique character.

The Sentiero delle Crete begins south of Fabro’s historic centre. Along the trail, visitors can observe broad valleys and narrow ridges, with cultivated areas in between, as well as the ruins of old farmhouses. Both the landforms and traces of agricultural use are therefore among the sights along the way. These observations cover various landscape features rather than focusing on a single formation.

Local Dishes and Truffles

Fabro’s typical dishes include Umbrichelli, Manfrengole, Porchetta, Torta al testo and Frittata al tartufo. Truffles also feature among local products independently of this dish: both white and black truffles are found in the Fabro area, including in numerous private truffle plantations. Frittata al tartufo puts truffles front and centre in its name; the other dishes listed add to the selection of local specialities. Fabro’s culinary scene can thus be considered a distinct highlight alongside its buildings and landscape.

Discover more destinations: Polino, Corbara, Orvieto Scalo, Montecastrilli, Lugnano In Teverina, Cecalocco, Macerino and Morrano Nuovo.

Return to the main travel guide: Terni.