Servigliano

Historical background

The founding of Servigliano is attributed to Pubblio Servilio Rullo, a Roman tribune of the 1st century BC. Remains of Roman construction are visible on the hill in the hamlet of Curetta, which preserves the legacy of the early medieval settlement: Il Paese Vecchio. Around 1758, the hill began to collapse due to water infiltration. In 1769 Pope Clement XIV decided to rebuild the village on the plain, near the Convent of the Friars Minor Observant where large fairs had been held since the 1300s. The architect Bracci designed a unique urban layout, inspired by the Ideal City, with a quadrilateral-shaped model. Servigliano is awarded the title of one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.”

Prison camp

Not far from the elegant hamlet is Peace Park, now an equipped green area used for recreational/sports activities and for hosting large concerts. In 1915 it was used as a prison camp capable of receiving more than 4,000 prisoners of war. During World War II Greek, Allied and Jewish prisoners were held in the Camp, later it housed over 55 thousand war refugees, it was dismantled in 1955. Today the barbed-wire walls, remnants of barracks, a breach in the wall from which the prisoners escaped and the House of Remembrance that can be visited for educational/educational purposes remain in memory. Today the camp is a National Historical Monument.

Tournament

In 1450 the Abbot of Farfa ceded the Plain of St. Gualtiero to Servigliano; games were held to celebrate. Since 1969 the historic moment has been revived in August with the Chivalric Tournament of Castel Clementino, a historical re-enactment in costumes taken from 15th-century paintings. After the performances and sumptuous pageantry, the Joust of the Ring is held between the knights of the 5 districts to win the Palio.

What to visit

Monastic Complex S. Maria del Piano-Historic Center-St. Mark’s Collegiate Church-Public Palace-Magnolia Cloister-Lordly Palaces-Monument to the Fallen-Fortresses: Clementina, Pia, Santo Spirito-Parks and Gardens-Prison and Refugee Camp, Multimedia Classroom House of Memory.

Events

Feast of the Patron St. Mark and celebrations-Fest of the Liberation-Solemn Corpus Christi infiorata-Festival of strozzapreti-Festival Errare e Umano-Festival of taste-Nromantic night of the most beautiful villages in Italy-Monday markets-Beer and pizza-Festival of Lavender-La crescia de Servijà and fried pizzetta-No Sound Fest-Beer and Gourmet-The Chivalric Tournament of Castel Clementino-Festival stories-Castagnata in the square-Christmas together-Festival of St. Anthony the Abbot-Day of Remembrance.

Food and wine

Companies producing fine oil and wines-legumes-sausages and cheeses. Characteristic dishes are: galantine-vincisgrassi-fried olives-rabbit in porchetta-Christmas turnips.