Sillico: History, Trails and Culture in the Apennines

Sillico lies on the foothills of the Apennines and overlooks the Pieve plain. Historic buildings, including notable Renaissance palaces, shape the village’s historic character. On the hilltop there is also a medieval tower with a square plan, which survives today as a ruin.

Towers, Church and Palazzo Carli

In the northern part of Sillico, the well-preserved remains of the defensive wall include a 15th-century watchtower. Inside the fortress is another tower with a square plan, dating from the 12th to 13th century: the Torre castellana del Sillico. In the centre of the village stands the parish church of San Lorenzo Martire, first mentioned in a papal bull of 1168.

The church has an organ with a distinctive 8-foot principal stop, typical of the organs built by the Turrini brothers from Pieve Fosciana. Palazzo Carli also brings together different historical layers: since 2009, exhibitions of painting, sculpture and photography by local and nationally renowned artists have been held in four rooms on the top floor. On the lower floor there is a large kitchen with a stone fireplace and a bedroom with frescoes from the early 19th century.

Renaissance, Music and Local Festivals

A distinctive cultural feature is “I banditi del Sillico all'ora di cena”: the event has been held annually for many years. “I banditi del Sillico” is a historical and gastronomic re-enactment that brings Renaissance customs to life through music, performances and contemporary cuisine from that period. The Filarmonica G. Verdi in Sillico also holds a concert every year for the San Lorenzo festival.

Circular Trails through Chestnut Forests and Vineyards

When planning your hikes, you can choose between circular trails and the Sentiero dei Mulini. The Sentiero dei Mulini near Sillico is listed as a route with a walking time of four hours, 475 metres of ascent and 475 metres of descent. A 5-kilometre circular trail starts at the car park in Sillico and leads through chestnut forests with metati; some of these buildings are still regularly used for drying chestnuts.

A further 1.7-kilometre circular trail around Sillico passes through chestnut forests and terraced vineyards to a station associated with the religious Rogazioni rite. The different distances, walking times and elevation figures provide an initial guide when planning your day around your personal interests and fitness level. The range of themes can serve as a planning framework in its own right: you decide whether culture, music, art or outdoor activity should take priority. When choosing a hotel, you can match these priorities to your personal travel rhythm.

Discover More Places

As another travel idea, you can also discover Pontecosi.

For the higher-level travel overview: Pieve Fosciana.