Casigliano: Castle, the Atti Family History and Lago di Casigliano

Casigliano can be explored through several distinctive themes: Castello di Casigliano, Chiesa di San Biagio, the sarcophagi of the degli Atti family and Lago di Casigliano. For planning your trip, this creates a destination with several clear points of interest. Depending on whether you prefer architecture, family history or unusual landscapes, you can set different priorities.

The Castle and the History of the degli Atti Family

Castello di Casigliano was rebuilt in 1519 at the behest of Ludovico degli Atti, following a design by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, around an existing medieval Rocca. The building thus represents a combination of an older fortification and later design. The interior of Castello di Casigliano can only be visited by prior reservation with the owner.

The sarcophagi of the degli Atti family also give the local history a tangible form. The sarcophagi of the degli Atti family in Casigliano are made of white marble and bear a Christian monogram as well as the coat of arms of the degli Atti family. Their heraldry features a rampant lion, three bands and a star.

Church, Crypt and Recorded History

Chiesa di San Biagio stands in the center of Casigliano. Its crypt preserves the tombs of members of the degli Atti family who were killed by the Cesi di Acquasparta in 1553. The Tomba degli Atti also contains the remains of Ludovico degli Atti, Virginia dei duchi Aquitani, Cecilia Sforza and Cecilia Sforza's sisters.

The older local tradition includes the account that Casigliano was founded by members of the Gens Casilena, who built a Roman villa enclosed by walls there. This narrative supplements the visible architectural and commemorative sites with a historical interpretation whose character is explicitly based on tradition.

Lago di Casigliano

Lago di Casigliano lies near the Castello di Casigliano of the same name, close to Acquasparta. A local legend attributes its formation to the earth sinking after Santa Degna turned away. At the same time, Lago di Casigliano is one of the distinctive piping sinkhole phenomena. Thus, alongside architecture and family history, Casigliano also offers an independent landscape theme for planning your trip.

Festival and Hike

The Festa di Casigliano refers to a local festival in the historic center of the district of Casigliano. The hike “Casigliano e l'antica strada delle Sette Valli” is dedicated to exploring the territories of the Cesi and the Atti. At the guided hike announced in 2021 under this name, the meeting point was in Casigliano di Acquasparta. The dated information therefore belongs to a specific historical event announcement.

The various themes help you determine the personal focus of your trip: architectural history and heraldry, ecclesiastical sites of remembrance, recorded history, landscape or a thematic hike. The right accommodation choice depends on the type of experience you would like to prioritize for your trip to Italy.

For further destinations to help with orientation, see Fornole, Parrano, Montecastrilli, San Venanzo, Alviano, Schifanoia, Orvieto Scalo and Rotecastello.

For the broader travel overview: Terni.