Preci - Preci is an ancient castle that looks onto the Castoriana Valley and that still has his sixteenth century appearance. It is characterized by a thick net of alleys that lead onto the main square where the Pieve of Santa Maria stands. Around 1300 in Preci a surgical school was established which was renown throughout Europe for the removal of cataracts and of kidney stones. The Carroci family played a fundamental role in the operations of cataracts and hereby earned the title of nobility of the Sacred Roman Empire. In Preci stands the "Casa del Parco" where you will find all the information for the visit of the surroundings and particularly to organize walks through small paths or important footpaths such as the "Grande Anello" of the Monti Sibillini and the "Sentiero Italia.
Syrian monks founded this ancient abbey in the fifth century. From around the tenth century it is the place of origin of the famous surgical school of Preci.
Norcia- Among the most important centers of the Valnerina Valley there is Norcia, hometown of St. Benedetto and S. Scolastica to whom the church was dedicated. The church was built on the area where the house of St. Benedetto's parents stood. Beside being interesting from a cultural point of view, Norcia is surely one of the most representative places of the culinary art of the area. Castelluccio A few kilometers from Preci, in the heart of the Monti Sibillini national park, you can visit Castelluccio, which is one of the most beautiful and famous plateaus in the whole of Europe. It is a place of remarkable environmental and naturalistic value. Also, it is an ideal starting point for excursions on the Monte Vettore (2476 m.). Particularly fascinating in June when the lentil blooms and the colours make the Castelluccio plateau inimitable for its scenery. The Castelluccio plateau is well known in Europe for hang gliding and paragliding as this is a perfect place for flying and for enjoying a unique panorama in quietest environment you can hope for.At the feet of the Monte Vettore there is the "Lago di Pilato", which has been famous since ancient times. According to popular traditions this was a "maledetto" ("damned") lake because the body of Pilate was supposedly thrown into it whereas today it is important from an environmental viewpoint because it is the only place in the world where you can still find the "chirocefalo of the Marchesoni", a small shellfish that swims with its belly up. Visiting the heart of Umbria does not only mean immerging yourself into nature but it also mean the discovery of the rich historical and architectural heritage our people are proud of and which we preserve with care, too. Not far from Visso you can visit the Sanctuary of Macereto, which is a splendid example of the Renaissance architecture.
Assisi- On the western slope of the Subasio Mountain there is the city of S. Francesco, which is a mandatory stop for lovers of art and religion coming the world over. In the beautiful Basilica of S. Francesco, the symbol of Assisi, you will discover the famous wall paintings of Cimabue and his disciple Giotto.
Perugia - The most important city in Umbria, Perugia is surely a main destination for all those who love art and architecture. If you leave your car at the doors of the city, through interesting footpaths connecting the varying districts which stand at different levels (roads and medieval stairways contrast with modern staircases that cross the structures of the Rocca Paolina), you will be able to reach the historical downtown where the Piazza IV Novembre with the splendid Fontana Maggiore merges with Corso Vannucci.
