Monte il Cerchio

Details

Category: Itinerari

11 km  (7,8 km by car and 3,2 km trekking. Feasible also by bycicle

An overall perspective of the natural and historical landscape can be obtained from the top of the Monte Il Cerchio (930 m); the mountain is an importance natural site for the presence of juniper and a extensive surface covered with vegetation typical of the Mediterranean coast and that here reaches the innermost of the Tyrrhenian coast. The relief is located to the east of Massa Martana and can be reached following the road that ascends from the Ascensione to Monti Martani towards Terzo San Severo, until the water source of Troscia of Pozzacchiolo.  You can park the car at the Troscia and from here a footpath takes you, though a 1,6 km moderately steep ascension, to the ridge of Monte Il Cerchio. The summit presents an interesting secondary grassland; relly suggestive to visit during spring time to witness the beautiful flower bloom. The site is also notable for the remains of a perfectly circular Castelliere (highland pre-Roman village) placed  on a hill, south of the summit from the shape of which the mountains takes its name. Dating back to pre-Roman times, it was built with limestone blocks stacked to dry. The tour ends with a visit to the Archaeological site and return back to the starting point

REACH THE ITINERARY

Insights: Itinerary 3

CHIESA DELL'ASCENSIONE

Old country church documented since the 13th century with the name Santa Maria de Podio. Afterwards it was known as Santa Maria de Castro and, after its restoration in the 17th century, as “chiesa dell’ Ascensione”. The name dedicated to the Madonna remains however its main name.

CASTELLIERI CULTURE

The Castellieri culture (or castellare) is a small fortified protohistorical settlement or village (Bronze Age and Iron Age), built in the most easily defendable elevated position, in which a natural defensive situation was exploited and reinforced by man. The fortifications are generally made of stone and wooden palisades and mostly (but not always) circular. At the fortified village are sometimes associated external necropoles, formerly with the deceased buried in boxes made of stony slabs, decorated with vases and hammers. Often their well-defendable locations have been reused at the time of the ancient Romans and during the Middle Age. The Castellieri culture, which developed in Istria and neighboring areas (also Friuli and Venezia Giulia) between the 15th and the 3rd century BC.  Other rather well-known and studied Castellieri in Italy are present in Umbria, especially in the highlands of Umbria-Marche Apennines. Among the Castellieri in the area we should also include those of Monte Il Cerchio, Monte Martano, San Pietro in Monte, Monte Schignano and M. Capoccia Pelata.