Poggio Catino

What to see?

Within the historic centre, among the characteristic stairways of the village of Catino, stands the Parish Church dedicated to Sant’Eustachio, built during the 14th century by the Counts of Sant'Eustachio. The current architectural conformation, as evidenced by a plaque on the facade, is the result of a restoration dated 1886, of an existing building dating back to the 14th century. Of considerable importance is the church of San Rocco, built in 1562, whose plastered facade adorns the square located in the lower part of the village. Poggio Catino is characterized by the pentagonal Longobard Tower, 33 meters high, from the top of which, on clear days, it is possible to admire St. Peter's Dome even to the naked eye. At its top a rudimentary staircase leads to a trapdoor giving access to a perimeter walkway once used for guarding. The current Town Hall is housed in Palazzo Olgiati, a baronial palace which rises on the top of the Moricone hill, next to the ancient medieval fortress. The building was radically modified at the beginning of the 17th century by the Olgiati family who transformed it into a sumptuous noble residence. The Moricone hill has always played an important strategic and defensive role, in fact, next to the fortified fortress stood the noble residence, seat of the ancient administration. Today the large reception hall, characterized by a beautiful coffered wooden ceiling, houses the town council, while a small nymphaeum is visible in the mayor's office. The palace also houses the local Archive that preserves the ancient town statutes. Near the cemetery of Poggio Catino are also visible the thermal baths of Silla, an archaeological Roman site, probably dating back to the Republican era. Just outside the village is the 14th-century church of San Silvestro, patron saint of the village, whose origin is certainly older, being linked to the legend according to which San Silvestro freed Poggio Catino from a frightening dragon that lived in a cave on Mount Tancia.