HORSE TRAILCITTÀ di CASTELLO - PIETRALUNGA
Starting from the territorial boundary between the municipality of Città di Castello and the municipality of Pietralunga, along CAI path no. 109, we arrive at the Palazzo del Riccio crossroads, heading east to Pietralunga. Alternatively, following the Francesco path, heading south along about 1.5 km of road with dust-covered asphalt, we can reach Pieve dé Saddi. Place of special historical-religious interest, where you can also find a water fountain.
Once you have visited the parish church, turn back towards the Palazzo del Riccio crossroads and turn right along the Cuiano road and then the Castricciano- Pietralunga municipal road to the junction with a forest track that passes through the Catafaccia locality and joins CAI path no. 113 in the Pantano locality. Continuing along this path, in the direction of Pietralunga and crossing a small stretch in the municipality of Montone, you reach the locality of Coldifiore, (Candeleto area) where you can visit the Ornithological Museum. The museum is located about 400 m from the crossroads, from here it is possible to take advantage of other well-marked nature trails, which can be used both on foot and on horseback.
Once you have visited the parish church, turn back towards the Palazzo del Riccio crossroads and turn right along the Cuiano road and then the Castricciano- Pietralunga municipal road to the junction with a forest track that passes through the Catafaccia locality and joins CAI path no. 113 in the Pantano locality. Continuing along this path, in the direction of Pietralunga and crossing a small stretch in the municipality of Montone, you reach the locality of Coldifiore, (Candeleto area) where you can visit the Ornithological Museum. The museum is located about 400 m from the crossroads, from here it is possible to take advantage of other well-marked nature trails, which can be used both on foot and on horseback.
The route continues along a small part of CAI path no. 114, via dei Frassini (asphalted) and a section of the Val Caprara ‘communal’ road (unpaved). Here you arrive at the municipal road (via S. Vincenzo), going to the right you reach the centre of Pietralunga. Following CAI path no. 117 and a section of a vicinal road, we reach two agritourisms (Appendix A – Appendix B).
Near the centre of Pietralunga, an equipped area will be provided where horses can be left. From here, a walking route will lead to the centre of the town, equipped with refreshment facilities, tourist information points, etc..
Starting from the picnic area, one crosses Via Piana and travels along the ‘Collelungo ditch’.1
- length 18.75 km
- ascent 520 m
- duration 5h 30m
- trails and mixed directions
PIEVE DEI SADDI
A contraction of Pieve dei Santi, it is built on the site where, according to tradition, the martyrdom of St Crescentine, a 4th-century Roman soldier who was beheaded under Emperor Diocletian for embracing the Christian religion, took place. Erected over the remains of a pre-existing pagan temple, the church has Romanesque forms and therefore dates back to the second half of the 11th century. With a beautiful bell gable, it is divided into three naves and is closed at the back by a polygonal apse; on the walls, traces of an ancient pictorial decoration can be glimpsed between the plasterwork. The crypt below the building housed the remains of St. Crescentino, later transferred to Urbino. A limestone bas-relief on the left wall shows the saint in the act of slaying a dragon. A 9th-century tower without battlements, with a typically defensive structure, closes the building at the front.
Other Excursions in Pietralunga
