Holiday apartment in Collestrada – History, Nature and Cycling

Collestrada is situated on a small hill that forms the natural watershed between the plain crossed by the Tiber and the nearby plain of Assisi. The hill belongs to the Natura 2000 network, combining a distinctive landscape setting with a protected natural area. This creates a destination where local history, nature and active exploration exist closely side by side.

Medieval village character and historical traces

The village of Collestrada has preserved its original medieval layout. The historic centre is surrounded by walls dating from the 14th century. At the main gateway, the pointed arch with travertine voussoirs stands out; above it, the portal bears the griffin emblem of the municipality of Perugia. An imposing tree-lined avenue leads to the castle on the hilltop.

Art, buildings and history

The church of Santa Maria Assunta dei XII apostoli houses an old painting from the school of Perugino. The Oratorio della Confraternita del SS. Sacramento has a historical archive containing old records. The former San Lazzaro Hospital in Colle della Strada was founded around 1099 to accommodate pilgrims. The Ospedalone San Francesco is a late Mannerist building of unknown authorship, erected on the site of the San Lazzaro image chapel in Collestrada. In the south-east of the Collestrada area, at the foot of the medieval village, stands Villa Pucci Boncambi, an 18th-century country villa in the municipality of Perugia, near the border with the municipality of Bastia Umbra.

Festivals and events rich in memory

In a battle at Collestrada in 1202, the future Saint Francis of Assisi was held prisoner for more than a year. A vibrant cultural tradition is the Festa Grossa: this religious and cultural event takes place every five years in August and includes an extensive programme of religious and cultural events. Its history can be traced back to 1884.

Nature trail and cycling route

A nature trail through the Bosco di Collestrada runs from the hamlet of Ferriera to the centre of Collestrada. The village also offers a concrete starting point for planning a cycling trip: the Perugia–Assisi cycling route begins in Collestrada at the Rifugio Enpa, at the junction with the Ciclovia del Tevere. It connects the Ciclovia del Tevere with the Ciclovia Assisi–Spoleto. The cycling route from Collestrada to Assisi is 12.8 km long.

The right holiday apartment for your travel plans

If you choose a holiday apartment in Collestrada or a holiday home as your base, you can plan your days according to your preferred mix of history, nature and cycling. The preserved village structure invites closer observation, while the nature trail and cycling route open up different ways to explore the area. This allows you to choose accommodation based on your own interests and the pace of travel you prefer.

Further places to help you get your bearings: Pezza, Ferriera, San Giustino, Collemancio, Paciano, Bastardo, Sterpeto and Bonsciano.

For the higher-level travel overview: Perugia.