The probable origins of Cesi are testified by the remains of walls that lie just below the current position. Not far away, the remains of polygonal walls enclose what was probably the Roman city of Clusiolum. In the Middle Ages, Cesi was a fief of Arnolfi ( Arnulf the Lombard lord that arrived there before 1000 AD). The village name comes from the Latin Caesa , meaning a deforested place. The country is the birthplace of the eponymous dynasty Cesi, who acquired the title of Duke of Acquasparta. From this noble family descended five cardinals and Federico Cesi , founder of ‘ Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei .
Within Cesi there are said (by Roberto and the network of femmes that surround him) to be 15 churches. According to Wikipedia the relevant important historical structures are;
Church of St. Michael the Archangel ( 1080 ), early Christian style Romanesque , also used for conferences and concerts for music;
Contelori Palace, former seat of the ancient Municipality of Cesi (now defunct), restored in the XVII century;
St. Andrew’s Church, with burial cairns from Carsulae places on the facade.
Parish church of S. Maria Assunta (XVI- XVIII century ). Inside is an altarpiece of Cesi Master ;
Palazzo Cittadini-Cesi (XVI century);
Medieval wall, rising up to 790 m of the plateau of St. Erasmus, accompanied by a system of watchtowers;
Arce umbra (V-VI century BC), with polygonal walls;
Church of St. Erasmus ( XII century ), founded by the Benedictines and built in Romanesque style;
Palazzo Stocchi, from which you can enter the so-called Eolia grotto;
Palazzo Eustachi;
Church of Sant ‘Onofrio in sharp decline
Going up to the summit of Monte Torre Maggiore (1,121 m), you encounter the remains of a religious complex dating from the sixth century BC, which came to light with an excavation.
I have tried to capture the charm of this village in the following photos.
glendon1954 