Cascia: a village where faith meets the mountains

Located at 653 metres above sea level, Cascia overlooks the Valnerina and the Corno river. The village is internationally known for its association with Saint Rita and for a compact historic centre blending medieval, baroque and modern elements. Stone alleys reveal a rural identity shaped by traditional farming and local products such as saffron, legumes and black truffle.

What to see

Cascia’s main sights are concentrated and easy to visit on foot: churches, convents and a civic museum offer a clear reading of the town’s religious and civil history.

• Basilica and Monastery of Saint Rita: a large religious complex built over earlier structures, welcoming pilgrims and preserving sites linked to the saint.
• Church of San Francesco: originally 14th century with later modifications, notable for its pointed portal and rose window.
• Church of Sant’Antonio Abate: late-medieval core with baroque additions and narrative fresco cycles.
• Collegiata of Santa Maria and Church of Sant’Agostino: houses of sacred art and Umbrian school frescoes.
• Palazzo Santi - Civic Museum: archaeological finds and medieval wooden works documenting local history.
• Roccaporena: the hamlet where Saint Rita was born, with her birthplace, the symbolic rose garden and the Scoglio della Preghiera.
• Roman temple of Villa San Silvestro: archaeological area on the Chiavano plateau showing pre-Roman and Roman layers.

What to do

Beyond pilgrimage, Cascia is a gateway to landscape experiences and local traditions:

• Walk the paths to Roccaporena to discover devotional sites set in natural terraces.
• Explore the Chiavano plateau and the Roman archaeological area.
• Taste local specialties: saffron, legumes and Appennine black truffle.
• Combine visits to neighbouring Valnerina villages for a varied itinerary of history and scenery.
• Attend seasonal events that blend religious rites and agricultural customs.

Practical information and travel tips

Cascia is reached via state road SS320 connecting the Valnerina to Umbria’s main arteries. From the north use links from Perugia and Spoleto; from Rome follow mountain routes via Terni; from the Adriatic coast approach via the Marche uplands toward Norcia. The nearest train station is in Spoleto.

Travel tips: wear comfortable shoes for cobbled streets and trails, check opening times for religious sites and museums, and reserve time to sample local food in the village trattorias and shops.