Fossato di Vico
Discovering Fossato di Vico
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about a small Italian town that you may not be familiar with: Fossato di Vico. Located in Umbria, in the province of Perugia, it has only 2632 inhabitants. But despite its small size, this village has a millenary history and several points of interest to discover.
The Physical Geography of Fossato di Vico
First of all, some information on the geography of this town. Fossato di Vico is located in zone E of the climatic classification, with a value of 2382 GR/G. But what is most striking about the surrounding environment are the natural wonders. The territory is in fact part of the Monte Cucco Nature Park, which offers breathtaking landscapes and numerous hiking trails.
The History of Fossato di Vico
But let's get to the most interesting part: the history of Fossato di Vico. This territory has been inhabited since ancient times, as shown by traces of settlements dating back to the 1st millennium BC. During the Roman period, Fossato di Vico became an important commercial center thanks to the construction of the Via Flaminia. But this period of prosperity was interrupted by the devastation of the Goths, who sacked the place in 410 AD during their journey to Rome.
In the Middle Ages, Fossato di Vico was dominated by the Lombards and other noble families. In 1386 it became a free town, but its autonomy lasted a short time due to its annexation to the Papal State in 1540. During the Napoleonic period, Fossato di Vico also became a borderland between the Kingdom of Italy and the Kingdom of France.
The Monuments of Fossato di Vico
But let's now see which monuments and places of interest we can visit in the town of Fossato di Vico. The hamlet of Osteria, now known as Osteria del Gatto, preserves a medieval customs house. In the historic center of the village, narrow streets and loggias with round and pointed arches make us relive the atmosphere of a bygone era. There are also ancient churches, such as the Romanesque S. Pietro or the Gothic S. Cristoforo and San Benedetto. The latter, in particular, is famous for the cycles of frescoes of remarkable artistic value present inside.
But the most precious treasure of Fossato di Vico could be found in the "Antiquarium," set up in the place of the ancient prisons of the village. Here we can admire the finds of the ancient Helvillum, a Roman sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Cupra, which was located right in the territory of the town. Among the preserved finds are the columns' drums of the sanctuary, a direct testimony to the greatness of this ancient civilization.
Finally, if you are passionate about history, you cannot miss the milestone with the distinctive patente cross of the Templars, located near the Church of Santa Croce in Collina di Purello.
Conclusions
Here is a brief summary of the history and main monuments of Fossato di Vico. I hope it has been helpful and that you will want to visit this small Umbrian village. In addition to the places of interest I have described, you can also enjoy the wonderful landscape of the Monte Cucco Park, which surrounds the town. You will only have the embarrassment of choice!
