Ossaia between Roman History and Historic Routes

Ossaia between Antiquity, Procession and Historic Routes

Ossaia can be discovered through its historic sites and connections to historic routes. The Roman Villa of Ossaia, the Passion procession and the two MAEC routes, “Sentiero di Annibale” and “Via Teutonica,” each offer a different focus. Ossaia thus brings together ancient architectural history and religious tradition alongside the two MAEC routes.

The Roman Villa of Ossaia

Sections of the outer walls and a large cistern for collecting water have survived from the Roman Villa of Ossaia. The remaining structural elements were covered again for heritage-preservation reasons.

The main building dates from the late Republican period of the 1st century BC, covers approximately 1,000 square metres and was inhabited until the beginning of the Middle Ages in the 5th century AD. This timespan makes the villa a direct point of reference for Ossaia’s long history.

A Passion Procession with a Long Tradition

One cultural tradition is the historic representation of the Passion, death and resurrection in Ossaia. It takes place every three years and involves more than 100 participants. The Passion procession of Ossaia can be traced back to the second half of the 15th century.

The procession ends with a representation of the Crucifixion near the excavations of the Roman Villa. This gives the event a spatial connection to the ancient site, without implying that the two subjects must be equated.

Routes and Orientation on Site

The villa and the church of Ossaia are each connected to their own MAEC route. The Roman Villa of Ossaia is incorporated into the MAEC cultural route “Sentiero di Annibale.” In addition, the MAEC audio-guide route “Via Teutonica” leads to the church of “San Biagio and Christopher” in Ossaia; the church is a route station.

Near the church of Ossaia, a bilingual panel in Italian and English provides information about the routes and invites visitors to walk the Sentiero di Annibale. The Via Lauretana runs towards Ossaia and then onwards to Montalla.

Museums, Palace and Landscape in the Surrounding Area

The Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca and the Museo Diocesano Del Capitolo are located in the immediate vicinity of Ossaia. The Museo della Civiltà Contadina di Fratticciola is a museum in the area around Ossaia. Villa Guglielmi- Isola Maggiore, a palace, is also located there.

The Monte Castel Giudeo, Monte Maestrino and Alta San Egidio are part of the landscape orientation; all three are mountains in the area around Ossaia. Isola Maggiore is an island in the surrounding area. The landscape around Ossaia therefore includes mountains and the island of Isola Maggiore.

More Pages about Local Places

More pages about local places: Pergo Di Cortona, Fratticciola, Riccio, Campaccio, Sant'agata, Torreone, Pietraia, Monsigliolo

For the higher-level travel overview: Cortona.