Santuario Pagano (Rovine)

The road that leads close to the slopes of the mountain where the site stands is narrow and sometimes unpaved. Challenging to reach it from Cesi on foot (requires being physically trained), but it's worth it. Fascinating as well as with the quiet of the mountain peaks. To visit.

It is a special place for the beautiful landscape over the territory, and above all for the charm of the sacred area that occupies the top of the mountain. For the Umbrian populations that built the sanctuary in pre-Roman times, the complex of the Ara Major of Torre Maggiore had a formidable position for the visual connection with the other offshore sanctuary located on the top of the Mount San Pancrazio of Calvi of Umbria , and with the fortified settlements that occupied the peaks of the Martani Mountains. On the plateau at the top there are two temples, a square and dated to the 3rd century BC C., the other a little more recent, consisting of an entrance and an internal cell that usually housed the statue of the cult. The divinity to which the sanctuary was dedicated is not known, although the discovery of a gilded bronze lightning suggests that its identification with Jupiter Folgoratore is plausible. In the area bronzes have been recovered both in human and animal form, as well as coins, both of Umbrian and Roman type. After the Roman conquest and the defeat of the Umbrian populations in 295 BC, the area remained sacred until the fifth century AD C .. Later the area continued to host pagan cults from time to time until the mid-sixteenth century, with the definitive subjection of the territory to the Church of Rome, which led to the complete decline of the pagan sacred area. The shortest route to reach the sanctuary starts from the car park near the Monument to Germinal Cimarelli at an altitude of 1020 meters above sea level, past a short stretch of wood and climb up the pastures to the summit of Monte Torre Maggiore (1120 m asl) with a gradient 100 m easy path.

Nice place for those who love to walk in the mountains

Probably the most important archaeological long of the district, born as a pre-Roman temple of the Umbrian-Naharki populations, then monumentalized in the Republican era and used for many centuries and even after the advent of Christianity. On the spot you can see the remains of the two Republican temples and numerous other environments.

From here you can enjoy an almost 360 degree panorama. To reach the ruins you will find yourself facing a steep climb.

It is a dream, the visit is worth all the effort to get to the top of the hill on foot. Breathtaking view, wonderful nature and archeology. Mystical place.

On the bare top of a mountain there are walls and bases of two ancient pre-Roman temples. The place alone is worth the climb for the magnificent 360 degree view over the whole Umbria, in the background you can see the Cimini group, the Sibillini and the Terminillo. If you go prepared or with an archaeological guide you appreciate even more the place, impregnated with astrological values. For those who are lovers of pre-Roman civilizations, it is a highly recommended place.

Amazing experience, a truly energetic place, located at the top of a hill overlooking a panoramic view of the Terni valley and beyond. A nice walk for the body and for the soul. Highly recommended.