Assisi and Castles

May 25th, 2007

Beviglie

Beviglie lies on a hillock above Tordibetto covered with olive trees and ancient oaks at 303 metres above sea level. Only the eastern and southern sides and an access gate in travertine on the western side are left of the original fifteenth-century square structure. The castle gained notoriety outside of Assisi for giving birth to brother Elias, one of the most distinguished “sons” of S.Francis who was his disciple and vicar; his name is connected to the building of the basilica of Assisi, being its deviser and maybe architect. His birth at the castle was documented by an inscription on a fresco – now vanished – on the refectory door of the Sacred Convent, depicting S.Francis with some brothers including Elias indicated as “frater Helias de Bevilio” (brother Elias of Bevilio).

Tordibetto

Situated on the road from Assisi to Palazzo, at 255 m above sea level, the castle of Tordibetto is one of the best-preserved on the whole territory. It was built by Betto di Menico (after whom it was named) in 1408 at the “mercy” of Beviglie, on a pre-existing defensive settlement, built to protect some buildings meant for grain processing and storage.

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