The Village of Ferentillo

Ferentillo is a small village on the Valnerina, set in a gorge with two imposing fortresses above it.

The Nera river passes through this typically medieval village and divides the built-up area into two parts: Precetto and Matterella. 

Matterella is located on the left as one ascends the valley. It developed around the 13th-century church of Santa Maria and under the Rocca, which has imposing cylindrical bastions with a square keep in the centre. The village follows the steep terrain of Monte Gabbio and along the main road is the Collegiata di Santa Maria. 

On the opposite side is Precetto, built on the slopes of Monte Sant'Angelo with a watchtower and Guelph-style crenellated walls for defence. The village extends as far as the Nera river and in the centre is the Church of Santo Stefano, with a 13th-14th century crypt, in which the Mummy Museum is housed.

The history of the two defensive settlements are closely linked, as they both emerged to defend the nearby abbey of San Pietro in Valle, whose origins date back to the early Middle Ages. A series of 12th-century frescoes decorating the side walls of the church are particularly interesting, with scenes depicting the Old Testament on the left and the New Testament on the right, characterised for the first time by movement, perspective and naturalism.

An excellent destination for sports enthusiasts, the municipal territory is part of the Nera River Park area.