Cascia

The territory of Cascia was once home to Cursula, a Roman settlement destroyed in the 1st century BC due to the devastation wrought by barbarian peoples and earthquakes, which have always ravaged the village and surrounding areas. Evidence of this can be found in the precious archaeological finds discovered on the Chiavano Plateau, in Villa San Silvestro, where the remains of a Roman temple can still be admired today. In medieval times, it was sacked by the Byzantines and the Lombards. Established as a municipality in the 12th century, Cascia was subjugated by the Trinci family and later by Frederick II.

Like most Umbrian towns, the town reached its peak during the Middle Ages. Initially under the rule of the Foligno lords, it later passed under the rule of Frederick II of Swabia, and was then unsuccessfully contested by the nearby towns of Norcia, Leonessa, and Spoleto. It was only at the dawn of the 16th century that it was annexed to the Papal States, under whose rule it remained for less than thirty years, after which it maintained its independence. It was elevated to the rank of city in 1596 by Pope Clement VIII. It remained linked to the Papal States except during the brief Napoleonic period. In 1809, during the French occupation, the territory of Cascia was divided to form the municipality of Poggiodomo. Later, in 1850, it ceded the village of Trimezzo to Cittareale, in the then Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, crossing the state border between the two municipalities. In 1860, it was annexed, along with the whole of Umbria, to the Kingdom of Sardinia, which on March 17, 1861, became the Kingdom of Italy.

At the entrance to the village, a majestic statue of Saint Rita is depicted with her symbols: bees, roses, and a thorn. The layout of the village is typical of an ancient hillside castle. Nestled on the hill of Sant’Agostino, it still bears the marks of its illustrious past. Cascia’s political, economic, and cultural centrality has always been established over a large surrounding area, thanks in part to a network of ancient roads that converge here in a radial pattern, connecting this Umbrian town with the Nera Valley, the Adriatic Sea, and the ancient possessions of the Kingdom of Naples and the Papal States.

The Sanctuary of Santa Rita da Cascia, the church of San Francesco, the church of Santa Maria della Visitazione, the church of Sant’Agostino, the small village of Roccaporena, where the saint was born, the hermitage of the Madonna della Stella and finally the remains of the fortress.

In addition to the spiritual side, visitors can enjoy local products that make Cascia a culinary flagship, such as saffron, spelt, legumes, truffles, and roveja, a Slow Food presidium, as well as refined meat and cured meat products.

Thanks to its unspoiled landscape and lush nature, visitors can immerse themselves in green walks thanks to itineraries designed specifically for every need, from simple walks to full-fledged trekking routes.
There is also a wide range of historical and cultural itineraries connecting the city with the rest of the Valnerina and neighboring municipalities, such as: Norcia, Monteleone di Spoleto, Vallo di Nera, Poggiodomo, Sant’Anatolia di Narco, Cerreto di Spoleto, Scheggino, and Preci.
From Cascia, visitors can take other routes to reach the Marmore Falls, the city of Spoleto, Assisi and the most important tourist destinations in Umbria.

Among the most traditional, widespread, and active economic activities are those related to craftsmanship, such as linen processing, aimed at creating fabrics characterized by figures and themes taken from tradition.