Casenove: Menotre Valley, History and Trails

Casenove developed at the intersection of the three valleys of Foligno, Sellano and Colfiorito. This special location shapes the character of the town: the landscape, historic routes and traces left by travellers of the past are all closely connected to its local history. Anyone planning a trip to Umbria and wishing to combine nature experiences with cultural and historical discoveries will find Casenove a versatile starting point for planning their days.

Menotre Valley and Circular Trail

The waters of the Menotre River reach Casenove and then form the Menotre Waterfalls. The Menotre Valley is covered by lush vegetation of beech, oak and holm oak trees. It is home to a great variety of endemic animal and plant species and gives the landscape a distinctly natural character.

A specific way to explore the surroundings on foot is the La Passeggiata della Corte. The circular trail runs between Casenove and Serrone and is approximately 2 kilometres long. Take this approximate distance into account when planning your day. If your travel group has different interests, you can combine a short walk through the landscape with further historical discoveries in the town, without having to limit your trip to a single activity.

A Town on Historic Routes

Until the recent past, Casenove was a necessary stopping point on the way into the mountains because of its location. In addition, until the recent past, the town was a central point on the Via Lauretana. Historically, Casenove served as a resting place for travellers, senior church officials, rulers and ordinary pilgrims on their way to Loreto. From Casenove, the SP459 leads south to Rasiglia. This information helps explain the town’s former importance as a link between different routes and areas of landscape.

Church, Mill and Local Tradition

The architectural and local history also offers several points of interest for a visit. The parish church of Sant’Ansovino is mentioned in documents of Sassovivo Abbey dating from 1245. The present-day church of Sant’Ansovino dates from 1686; its portal has a lintel bearing the year 1744. A mill has been documented in Casenove since 1079. Anyone interested in historic buildings and the development of rural settlements can read different historical layers in these dates.

Historically, Casenove was also the venue for a large annual agricultural fair in honour of Saint Anthony for many years. It was held in June on his feast day. This tradition adds to the picture of a place where not only travellers passed through, but where agriculture and community life also played an important role.

The Right Holiday Apartment for Planning Your Trip

When looking for a holiday apartment in Casenove, you can first consider what you want your trip to focus on. Would you like to experience the vegetation and waterscape of the Menotre Valley, include the approximately 2-kilometre circular trail in your plans, or focus mainly on the history of Sant’Ansovino, the mill and the Via Lauretana? Accommodation in Casenove is particularly suited to your plans if you want to deliberately divide your days between nature, local history and the traditional routes in the surrounding area. When making your further selection, check the specific details of each offer and base your decision on your preferred travel rhythm.

More Destinations for Orientation

For further research, you can also view the pages on Porchiano, Castel Del Piano, Preci, Agello, Bazzano Superiore, Fabbri, Palazzo and Mantignana.

For the higher-level travel overview: Perugia.