The Castles of Vallo di Nera and Roccagelli

The castle of Vallo di Nera was founded in 1217 thanks to a concession from the city of Spoleto, on a pre-existing feudal settlement, Flezano, built on a hill overlooking the valley. The coat of arms depicts three castles reunited since in the 19th century it was united with the nearby fortifications of Meggiano and Paterno. The village has a compact urban layout that develops around the main square of the castle. The renovation of the buildings in the village constitutes one of the best examples of conservative restoration.

The castle of Roccagelli, currently uninhabited, stands near Vallo di Nera and is thought to have been a strategic outpost of neighboring Meggiano. At the mouth of the Forra, the church of the Hermit (former Vallombrosian monastery of Santa Maria de Ugonis) which stands on a hermit site, and has unique architectural characteristics compared to the Romanesque style widespread in Valnerina and has played a role of primary importance as one of the major religious centers in the area. The church, built in the 11th century, has an entrance door (upstream) towards the mountain road which at the time was the main communication route given the impracticability of the valley floor invaded by the waters of the Nera.

Recognized as one of the “most beautiful villages in Italy, Vallo di Nera was recently awarded the Orange Flag by the Italian Touring Club.