Castel San Giovanni (Visso)

History of Castel San Giovanni in Visso

According to some local historians, the Colle della Concezione was home to a very ancient settlement called Vicus Elacensis. Between the 10th and 11th centuries the inhabitants of Visso, still gathered on the slope of the hill, built a watchtower at the top of the settlement, later called the torre di San Giovanni or Torre della Rocca. The tower was part of the defensive system of the fief of the Lords of Nocria.

Toward the end of the 12th century some families began to settle on the valley floor. The new village took the name Castel San Giovanni, because a chapel dedicated to the saint had long stood on that spot. The present Collegiata was later built next to the chapel.

After the earthquake of 1328 the hill was abandoned for good. From then on Castel San Giovanni took the name Visso, while the saint's name remained with a small village, today's Borgo San Giovanni. On the hill a square fortress was built, with walls and four towers, as a defense against enemies arriving from the Apennine pass and from the Ussita valley.

What to see at Castel San Giovanni

The fortress building is hard to identify precisely today. The reference point is the San Giovanni watchtower, or Torre della Rocca, on the Colle della Concezione.

From the fortress the walls were extended down to the Nera river to enclose the area of the new houses. Twenty-four outer walls and four large towers were built. The one to the southeast has been turned into a war memorial. The medieval ring of walls still largely surrounds the town of Visso and culminates in the Rocca. It opens through four gates: Santa Maria, Ponte Lato, Sant'Angelo and Ussitana.

How to visit Castel San Giovanni

Visso is among the municipalities hit hardest by the 2016-2017 earthquake sequence, and the historic center suffered widespread damage and partial collapses. Before planning a visit, it is therefore advisable to find out which areas are actually accessible.

Where Castel San Giovanni is located

Castel San Giovanni is in Visso, in the upper Val Nera (Nera valley). The site is on the Colle della Concezione, on whose slope the old settlement stood around the San Giovanni fortress.

Around Castel San Giovanni in Visso

In Visso is Borgo San Giovanni, the small village that has kept the saint's name. The fortress controlled access from the Ussita valley. Other fortifications in the area are gathered on the page on castles and fortresses of the Sibillini Mountains.