Casacastalda
Welcome to Casacastalda, a charming medieval village!
The village of Casacastalda, located in the province of Perugia, is a charming place rooted in ancient history. Here we will tell you about the history of the village, its origins and the events that have characterized it in the past. We will also talk about the monuments and places of interest that are worth visiting.
The history of Casacastalda, between Lombards and Perugians
The origins of Casacastalda date back to the Umbrian city of "Casmentillana" of the 10th century BC, mentioned by Pliny the Elder. The current castle, however, was built in the medieval period on pre-existing ruins in 763, by Ernero Castaldo, a Lombard descendant of Totila. The castle was important in the early Middle Ages and after a series of historic events passed under the control of Perugia, the Papal State, and the Duchy of Spoleto.
In 1433, the Perugians rebuilt the castle and in 1528 granted it the status of "Free Commune". The municipal coat of arms, still carved in several points of the historic center, consists of a tower over a turret, with the rampant griffin of Perugia. Later, in 1798, thanks to Napoleon I's troops and the defeat of the Papal State, the Municipality of Casa Castalda passed to the canton of Gualdo Tadino in the Roman Republic (1798-1799).
With the end of the Napoleonic Empire (1815), the Municipality of Casa Castalda was suppressed, and its territory was annexed to the Municipality of Valfabbrica.
Monuments and places of interest
The historic center of Casacastalda is diamond-shaped, coinciding with the castle's plan. Here, there are houses made entirely of stone and three historic gates, Porta Perugina or Porta Sole to the south, Porta del Giglio or Porta Gualdese to the north, and Porta Eugubina to the west.
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta, dating back to the 10th century, is very suggestive. Its current structure dates back to 1883 and features a square stone bell tower. The internal apse was decorated by the Perugian painter Alessandro Bianchini in 1922. In the right nave, there is the "Trittico" by the painter Matteo da Gualdo, and the baptismal font is characterized by a bell dated 1508.
The beauty of the landscape
Casacastalda is surrounded by the first foothills of the Apennine Mountains, on which stand Monte Serra (780 m above sea level), Monte Luciano, Monte della Dea, and Monte Santa Cristina. The village dominates the Val di Rasina or Ròsina, a stream that comes from Gualdo Tadino, and the valley of the Risacco stream (Rio Sicci), a tributary of the Chiascio.
Conclusion
Visiting Casacastalda is an unforgettable experience. This charming place is full of history, monuments, and places of interest. The diamond-shaped historic center, houses made entirely of stone, and the three historic gates represent a dive into the past, while the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the surrounding landscape represent the current situation of the place. Come and visit it, and you will be fascinated by its breathtaking beauty!
