Scirca
Welcome to Villa Scirca!
Hello everyone! Today I'll talk to you about Villa Scirca, a small hamlet in the municipality of Sigillo, in the province of Perugia. Inhabited by only 102 people, the location is along the Flaminia road, about three kilometers from the center of Sigillo and at an altitude of 505 meters, at the foot of Mount Cucco. Are you ready to explore the history and places of interest in the area? Fasten your seat belts and let's go!
History
To begin with, know that Villa Scirca has been inhabited since Roman times, as evidenced by numerous historical artifacts found in the area. The first written mention dates back to 1330 in the Statute of Sigillo, which mentions a festival in honor of the Assumption of Mary that took place at Scirca, with an offering of a two-pound torch. In reality, there was a church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, used by the monks of the Abbey of Santa Maria di Sitria since the thirteenth century. In 1573, during an apostolic visit by the bishop of Ascoli Piceno, it was noted that the church was considered the parish of the people. During the Napoleonic period, the church was entrusted to the monastery of Fonte Avellana, but in 1860 it was acquired by the emerging Kingdom of Italy. In 1927, the aqueduct was planned that brought drinking water from Villa Scirca to the acropolis of Perugia, which is still in operation today thanks to gravity.
Monuments and places of interest
Now let's move on to the most interesting places in Villa Scirca! First of all, you can't miss the Sanctuary of the Assumption of Mary, dating back to the twelfth century and characterized by Romanesque architecture. Inside, you can admire a fresco by the painter Matteo da Gualdo dated 1484 and perhaps another painting by his son Girolamo. Other works are attributed to Ottaviano Nelli, a fresco painter from Gubbio. The church is also known as Santa Maria di Scirca or Santa Maria di Montecupo. In addition, the Scirca Springs are a great attraction: they provide drinking water for the consumption of about 70,000 people in Perugia, Costacciaro and Sigillo. This is the outgoing flow of the underground river "G.B. Miliani". The original average flow rate is about 100 l/s, but in recent years it has decreased considerably. Access to the sources is not always possible, so I recommend asking the managing body, Umbra Acque s.p.a. Another place of interest is the karst resurgence of the Monte Cucco Cave. Finally, the Etruscan Bridge, from Roman times, but now known as Ponte dei Pietroni, is another attraction in the area.
Conclusions
In summary, Villa Scirca is a small hamlet that can boast an ancient and fascinating history, as well as some unique places of interest. If you like outdoor walks and discovering the beauty of nature, this is the right place for you. And if you decide to visit this small Italian gem, remember to bring your own water bottle, perhaps filled right at the Scirca Springs!
