Poggio San Marcello

Through the entrance gate, the village gradually unveils itself, enveloped in an ancient and intimate atmosphere. There is no clamor of the modern city to be heard outside the walls, only the quiet breath of a place that has preserved its history intact. Continuing along the path, you arrive at the Church of Saint Nicolò, a place of worship that is simple yet rich in history. Its interior welcomes visitors in an atmosphere of peace, with its sober naves and decorations that tell the story of past devotion. Here, the people of the village would gather for solemn occasions, surrounded by rituals and prayers that still seem to echo through the walls. A little further on, you encounter the Town Hall, a building that still today represents the heart of the village's administrative life. With its austere facade and interior rooms once filled with the decisions of the community, the palace stands as a witness to the local government that, over the centuries, regulated the life of the village through edicts, meetings, and proclamations. The narrow cobbled streets wind their way between the stone houses of the villagers, with heavy wooden doors and small windows, almost as if to protect against the weather and the passage of time. Here lived craftsmen, merchants, and farmers, whose voices once filled these now silent alleys. Some of these houses still bear carved coats of arms or faded frescoes, reminders of the industrious past of the community. As you continue through the alleys, with glimpses of stone and flower-filled corners, the walk leads to the Church of Santa Maria del Soccorso, the final stop before crossing the castle threshold once more. The sanctuary, with its elegant simplicity, has preserved centuries of faith and devotion. Upon entering, the soft glow of candles lights the altar, where the icon of Our Lady of Soccorso watches over travelers and the villagers. It is a place of reflection, a final farewell before leaving the walls and returning to the present. With one last glance at the stone buildings and the alleys that intertwine behind you, you pass through the gate again, taking with you the images and stories of a village that still lives in its time, suspended between the past and the present.