Collazzone: Medieval Village between Churches, Forests and Vineyards

Collazzone reveals its medieval character in the structure of the village: walls, earthworks, buttresses, preserved towers and small, narrow lanes retain essential features of Lombard military architecture. Historical traces can therefore be found not only in individual buildings, but also throughout the village.

Historic Centre and Churches

At the centre of Collazzone stands the Church of San Michele Arcangelo on Corso Vittorio Emanuele III, the ancient decumanus of the castrum. Frescoes from the 14th and 16th centuries were discovered on the church walls. Thus, the ancient street layout and wall paintings from two eras meet in the same place.

San Lorenzo also bears witness to several historical layers. The church was built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries on the foundations of, and using reused stones from, the former castle tower. The 12th-century tower was preserved as the bell tower. The church crypt houses a wooden sculpture of the Madonna and Child, attributed to a 13th-century Umbrian wood inlay artist.

The Benedictine Abbey of San Lorenzo stands on San Giovanni Hill, a short distance from the settlement of the same name. Despite alterations in the 17th century, its Romanesque crypt retains its original layout. The abbey also houses the tomb of Matilde Marzia, the mother of Blessed Simone da Collazione. Matilde Marzia died in 1240 and left her mortal remains at the monastery.

Hills, Forests and Trails

From the walls of Collazzone Castle, there are views across the Tiber Valley from Perugia to Todi. The hills around Collazzone include oak and pine forests as well as olive groves. Alongside the fortified village, wooded areas and olive groves therefore shape the landscape.

For planning an active day, marked trail 931 provides clear details: it is 8.4 km long, has an elevation gain of 380 m, is rated difficulty level T and has a stated walking time of 3 hours and 30 minutes. The Anello Borgo di Collazzone circular route runs mostly through forest; only the opening and closing sections follow roads open to traffic. When planning, you can therefore distinguish between a route with a set distance and stated duration and a circular route with forest sections.

Wine and Regional Impressions

Another facet is the “L'Essence du territoire” experience. It includes a tasting of four wine labels with bruschetta and extra virgin olive oil, as well as visits to the wine cellar and the adjacent vineyards. Wine, olive oil and bruschetta add a culinary dimension to the impressions created by the churches, walls and trails.

When choosing accommodation in Collazzone, you can first determine your own daily rhythm. A stay focused on cultural and historical attractions requires different planning from days when you want to include a marked trail or a culinary experience. This keeps your accommodation choice oriented towards your personal interests, without assigning the village a single type of travel.

More Destinations

For further orientation, you can also explore Onelli, Calzolaro, Carbonesca, Molinaccio, Scheggia E Pascelupo, Santo Stefano dei Piccioni, Badia and Beroide.

To the higher-level travel overview: Perugia.