The commune of
Poggiodomo is one of the smallest in
Italy and the highest in Umbria. The last
gathered statistics ascribe to it hardly 172 residents, while it dominates
uncontested the summits of the
Apennine from its nearly 1000 metres
altitude.
The almost complete absence of Poggiodomo in most tourist itineraries makes it
a preferred destination for those who don't want to follow the routes of mass
tourism, but discover the real face of Umbria, which is hidden between the most
secret folds of its valleys.
The mountains and the gorges which surround Poggiodomo hold the real feeling of
the mountainous landscape, giving views and scenes which won't be easily
forgotten.
Its isolation for a long period favoured the conservation of the local uses and
traditions which still today maintain their value, as well as the ancient
crafts, that characterized for many time the territory and was the only source
of maintenance of the inhabitants.
Its origins date back to the 13
th to 14
th century when
the village centre began to develop around the castle which stood on the spur
of a rock. The beginning of its history was connected with the vicissitudes of
the dukedom of
Spoleto which later was to share the lot of the other communes
of the Valnerina.
The historically most interesting monuments for tourists are the parish church
San
Carlo Borromeo, built in 1635, and the
St Paul's church from
the 14
th century which was restored in 1550 and more recently in
1981, when ancient ornaments were brought to light. The church is richly
frescoed. One of the most ancient and particularly interesting portraits of
St
Rita can be seen on the side of a pillar. Below one can read the name of
the client: ''
Beatrice''.
In the near hamlet
Usigni stands the
magnificent church
Chiesa di San Salvatore, a Baroque
masterpiece by
G. B. Bernini. It was carried out between 1631
and 1634 as an aisleless nave with various side chapels.
The interior is richly decorated with
frescoes. Of particular value is the altar-piece carried out around the middle
of the 17
th century by
Guidobaldo Abatini and
Salvi
Castellucci, both of them pupils of
Pietro da Cortona.
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C.E.A., ''Il Sentiero'' of Poggiodomo -
Since 1996 the CEA is active at Poggiodomo,
that is the Centro di Educazione Ambientale Il Sentiero'' (Centre
for Environmental Education ''The Path''), a...
