Compignano, an old castle rich in traditions - Compignano, an old castle rich in traditions - Media VallExperience

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Compignano, an old castle rich in traditions

Compignano, a medieval village located on a hill overlooking the Nestore River valley, has maintained its old structure with its checkerboard layout and circular walls. The only tower that remains of the five that were part of the ancient castle lies above the entrance gate to the old castle. It was built in the 13th century and reconstructed in the first half of the 16th century. The town bell tower was built in 1925 on the remains of another of these towers. Near the gate stands a seventeenth-century noble palace, which belonged in the past to the noble Monaldi family and today is the residence of the Corneli family. The 13th-century Parish Church of San Cristoforo is located opposite the palace.

Not far from the church is the Church of the Madonna del Crocifisso, a small brick church in terracotta that houses frescoes painted between 1921 and 1922 by the important painter Gerardo Dottori. Nearby the church there is a courtyard, which is accessed by a wooden door next to the church and contains a well that was built at the end of the sixteenth century, now closed.

Compignano

Compignano tower

Compignano church of San Cristoforo

Ancient kiln

Traditions and ancient crafts

A traditional activity that characterized the town's economy since ancient times, brickmaking has been rediscovered and enhanced since the Antenna Dynamic Museum of Brick and Terracotta was opened in 2001. The museum is a small but interesting exhibit that shows and "tells" the visitor the history of the castle and its role in brick production, as well as giving a chance to grasp and experience the complexity of brick making by touching it in a laboratory.

Another precious testimony of the production of terracotta material is the ancient furnace of the 18th century. Located at the intersection of Compignano and Montelagello along the ancient Via Orvietana. The completely restored structure is part of the itinerary of the Dynamic Museum of Bricks and Terracotta. Restoration made it possible to explain, also through explanation panels, the preindustrial brick work process used until the 1950s of the twentieth century. Even today, old kilnsmen of the area re-enact the ancient and difficult work of the kilnsman during the summer season.

The living nativity scene of Compignano

A living Nativity scene begins the evening of 24 December and continues until Epiphany with performances and concerts. Village streets come alive through a path reminiscent of past craft activities. There are more than one hundred figures in period clothing representing ancient crafts: weavers, blacksmiths, shoemakers, grinders, carpenters, cheesemakers, tanners, and washerwomen. A spectacular event that allows spectators to relive the magic of Christmas.

The Compignano Philharmonic Society

The band has played uninterrupted for more than 115 years and is made up of young and old players from all over the country. Composed of about 40 elements, it accompanies the most significant moments of village life, and through courses run by the School of Music, it trains young musicians.