Capriglia: Fortress, San Biagio Church and Monti Sibillini

Fortress history in the protected landscape area

Capriglia lies in the Macerata section of the Monti Sibillini protected landscape area. The Rocca di Capriglia came into the possession of the Da Varano around the middle of the 14th century and was an important southern defensive outpost of the State of Camerino. The fortress history of the Rocca therefore reaches back into the history of the State of Camerino, while Capriglia is also situated in the landscape of the Monti Sibillini.

Two towers and sections of the surrounding walls remain from the medieval fortress of Capriglia; there is also a stone entrance arch with a portcullis. The arch is one of the surviving parts of the complex and marks the former entrance to the fortress. The structural remains thus preserve several specific elements of the medieval Rocca.

The bell tower of San Biagio Church developed from a tower of the former fortress of Capriglia. San Biagio Church features Romanesque architectural elements. San Biagio thus brings together Romanesque church architecture and a structural element originating from the former fortress.

San Biagio and its works of art

Several works of art can be found in San Biagio. The fresco of the Madonna of the Rosary from 1585 is attributed to Fabio Angelucci. It depicts the Virgin with Saints Dominic and Catherine, angels, and groups of the faithful. The attribution is retained, as is the dating to 1585.

The polyptych by Paolo da Visso consists of ten panels in two registers and is dated to around 1470. The lower register depicts the enthroned Virgin and Child, as well as Saints Margaret, John the Baptist and Blaise; Venantius may also be depicted there. The possible depiction of Venantius is expressly left open.

A pseudo-polyptych on canvas by Paolo da Visso was painted for San Biagio Church in Capriglia. Paolo da Visso is therefore represented in San Biagio by two different forms of work: a panel polyptych and a pseudo-polyptych on canvas. The works differ in their surviving form, although both are associated with the same painter.

Church and the Cammini Lauretani

San Biagio Church by the castle of Capriglia is connected to the Cammini Lauretani south of Pieve Torina. The location south of Pieve Torina belongs to this reference to the church by the castle and broadens the perspective from local architectural history to a regional pilgrimage route.

Regional food connection and walk

In the hamlet of Capriglia, Luca Angeli is associated with the production of Pecorino dei Monti Sibillini. The food connection thus remains specifically tied to Capriglia and Pecorino dei Monti Sibillini.

During a walk organized by the municipality on March 17, 2024, the castle of Capriglia was included as part of the planned route. The walk was announced as an easy, narrated tour and was intended to be accompanied by two guides. The information refers to this announced date and not to a permanent offering. The organizational framework of the walk therefore remains limited to the date, the planned route and the intended accompaniment.

More destinations

For further orientation: Sefro, Corridonia, Croce, Montelupone, Sant'egidio, Potenza Picena, Castelraimondo, Frontale

For the higher-level travel overview: Macerata.