The Castle of Dignano in the 13th Century A.D.

In Dignano in addition to the walls, the remains of a partially destroyed cylindrical tower and a turret are still recognizable.

The castle has lost all its defensive features. Only in the western part can a section of the perimeter wall and a defensive bastion still be seen. The interior was completely renovated following the damage caused by the 1997 earthquake, erasing much of the medieval architecture. Only a window from the 15th century remains within a building known as Palazzetto Corsi. In 1265, the municipality received the submissions of the men from the communities of Rocchetta and Percanestro-Elci, made with the consent of the local lords, vassals of the Baschi family. However, this was merely a formal consent since those lands had been confiscated by the Church from the Ghibelline Baschi. Indeed, on February 5, 1296, Pope Boniface VIII claimed jurisdiction over them.
Dignano was a special-status castle, included among the recommended lands of the Municipality of Camerino and incorporated into this city’s district from 1265. By a custom attested since 1233, it was a fief exempt from any fiscal burden due to the ducal chamber of Spoleto, under whose provincial jurisdiction it fell.

On a hill opposite the village, at an altitude of 1059 meters, there was a protohistoric hillfort in a locality still called “il Castello.” Considered a sacred place, it is now marked only by a cross. Until a few decades ago, the faithful accessed it in procession on Ascension Day, carrying a heavy stone on their shoulders taken from the last stretch of the pilgrimage.

In 1263, the military organization of the territory is attributed to the municipalities of Camerino, Foligno, and Spoleto, with the construction or reorganization of the castles of Verchiano, Popola, Colfiorito, and Annifo by the municipality of Foligno; of Elci, Percanestro, Rocchetta, Dignano, and Serravalle by Camerino; while in the corridor between the two parallel chains of defense, two fortifications built by the Spoletini were wedged: Acquafranca and Montesanto.

In a sale document dated March 18, 1264, Count Tommaso di Bonconte, son of Ugolino Bonconte de Vassci (Baschi), sold the castle of Dignano to Rinaldo di Napoleone for 3000 livres. The castle, which belonged to Camerino, faced from the hill the castle of Colfiorito, under the jurisdiction of Foligno. Moreover, the presence of the Plestine swamp made the boundaries vague, often causing disputes over border violations.