Casteldelci

Occupying the last stretch of land to the south-east of the province, it stands out thanks to its natural beauty and is often referred to as the “green sea”. It is overlooked by Mount Fumaiolo where the Tiber river rises and close by is Mount della Zucca where the Marecchia river springs from, before other streams run into as it slowly descends the valley. It is an unspoilt area that has much to offer from an environmental point of view. It is the hilliest in the province, rising to 1,355 metres above sea level, making it the ideal destination for those who love nature walks. It has a wealth of paths and mule tracks that can be covered on foot, horseback or mountain bike. This Apennine landscape, with its primordial configurations, is scarcely populated with little more than 500 inhabitants.

Although artefacts from the prehistoric and protohistoric period suggest much older origins, the first documents chronicling it date from the 12th century when it was referred to as “Casale d’Ilice”, from the Latin Castrum Illicis or “fortification near the holm-oaks”. Explorations and digs on the territory have unearthed interesting remains of Roman colonization with a number of settlements with farms, artisan buildings and necropolises.

Populated uninterruptedly for several epochs, thanks to the presence of perennial springs, it reached its moment of glory in the Middle Ages when its particular geographical position favoured fortified settlements. Worth mentioning are those of the della Faggiola lords, whose name comes from the mountains on which their fortresses stood and which it is said, derived from the birches that still cover them. This is where the famous commander, Uguccione della Faggiola was born in 1250. He would later host Dante Alighieri receiving in exchange, according to Boccaccio, a signed text of the Inferno dedicated exclusively to him. Prior to the rule of Uguccione and the other della Faggiola lords who governed until the 15th century, Casteldelci was controlled by the Montefeltro and it subsequently returned to them.

By visiting this splendid area today and taking a walk through the old town visitors can savour the atmosphere of its prestigious past.