Preci: Hiking Trails, Nature and Culture

Hiking Trails and Cycling Route

The Sentiero Natura di Preci is a 3.7-kilometre hiking trail with a walking time of two hours and a difficulty level of T (Tourist). The Sentiero Natura di Preci follows in the footsteps of hermits, monks and heretics who chose these places for an ascetic life because of their seclusion and tranquillity. The “La Natura Sulla Porta Di Casa” hiking trail runs from Preci via Sacovescio and Collescille back to Preci. The “La Natura Sulla Porta Di Casa” hiking trail is 13.4 kilometres long, takes 4 hours and 10 minutes, and has a difficulty level of E (Hiking Trail).

On the road cycling route from Norcia to Castelluccio via Forca di Gualdo, the road initially climbs towards Forca d'Ancarano and then descends towards Preci.

Nature in the Preci Area

The Preci area lies within Monti Sibillini National Park. The municipality of Preci includes valuable habitats belonging to the Natura 2000 network, including the Monti Sibillini Special Protection Area and the Sites of Community Importance Valle Campiano and Valnerina. An exceptional variety of wild orchids can be found along the dense network of hiking trails in Valle Castoriana.

Mount Monte Plaie is located in the vicinity of Preci. Mount Monte Sella is located in the vicinity of Preci. The summit of Monte Cardosa is located in the vicinity of Preci. Mount Monte Fema is located in the vicinity of Preci.

Churches, Castle and Historic Traces

The historic centre of Preci includes a 14th-century castle that has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. The Church of Santa Caterina in Preci has a Gothic portal with Romanesque decorative elements on the façade. The Church of Santa Maria in Preci preserves heavily fragmented frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries.

Below the town of Preci, at Campiano, stands the Church of Madonna della Peschiera, built in 1600. Next to the Church of Madonna della Peschiera, a spring feeds pools that have been used for trout farming since the 17th century. The Benedictine Abbey of Sant'Eutizio can be traced back to the 5th century.

The abbey church of Sant'Eutizio was rebuilt in the Romanesque style between the 12th and 13th centuries. The Romanesque portal of the abbey church of Sant'Eutizio is topped by a lunette bearing an inscription from 1190.

The Scuola Chirurgica Preciana

The Museo della scuola chirurgica preciana is housed in the former Church of Santa Caterina. From the 10th to the 16th century, the Scuola Chirurgica Preciana trained lay surgeons whose expertise was sought throughout Europe. The Scuola Chirurgica Preciana originated with Benedictine monks from Sant'Eutizio Abbey, who practised and taught medicine in the 10th century. Surgeons from Preci became known throughout Europe for treating cataracts and performing hernia operations.

Other Destinations in the Wider Region

Rocca di Arquata Castle is located in the wider region surrounding Preci. The Pinacoteca Fortunato Duranti is located in the wider region surrounding Preci. The Esposizione archeologica sui plestini umbri is located in the wider region surrounding Preci. Palazzo delle Logge is located in the wider region surrounding Preci.

Other destination pages: Castelluccio, Norcia, Savelli, Popoli

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