Location Guide to Cascia

Cascia is beautiful hilltop village hidden away in a picturesque but remote area perched high in the foothills of the Apennine Mountains some 2100ft above sea level. An earthquake effectively destroyed the town in the 1st century B.C. It was then fought over by the Byzantines, followed by Lombards, before becoming a garrison for troops of the Papal State. In 1860 it eventually gained independence.

Cascia’s most famous daughter, Rita Mancini, (Saint Rita) was born close by and today you can find a modern Basilica dedicated to her in the village. The end of October sees the harvesting of the saffron. The stamens of Crocus flowers are dried taking as many as 200 flowers to make 1 gram of saffron.

Things to See and Do
Walk around the Basilica di St Rita
Visit the Villa S. Silvestro, a Roman temple
Explore the Museum di Palazzo Santi
Read about local history in Palazzo Carli
View the Church of S. Antonio with its frescos by Nicola da Siena
See the Churches of S. Francesco and Santa Maria
Trek over old mule tracks and bridleways on horseback from
Oxer Riding Centre
Visit the Saffron Festival and taste local food including liqueur flavoured Ricotta
Join the procession that travels between Cascia and Roccaporena in May, each year.

Local Event

May 22nd - Festival of St. Rita
The day of remembrance held on the anniversary of her death. At dusk the whole valley is lit up with thousands of torches and oil lamps lighting the way from the Cascia to her birthplace in Roccaporena.

October – The Saffron Fair
Held during the last weekend in October featuring an exhibition, processions and saffron related foodstuffs.

Spotlight on St. Rita of Cascia
St Rita of Cascia, was born, lived and died in nearby Roccaporena. Beatified in 1627 and canonised in 1900, the same year a large shrine was built to honour her which attracts many visitors.
She has always wanted to enter the convent but at the age of twelve she was married to a drunken, abusive man. He made many enemies during his time and was eventually murdered. Soon after she lost her sons and after several more attempts was finally accepted into the convent which was her life’s dream. Her determination after all her trials and tribulations is strongly admired and she today she is regarded as the patron saint of lost causes and abused women.

How to Get There
By car: Travelling from the south take the motorway to Orte and then follow the 209 and the 320 to Cascia. From the north take the motorway to Perugia and then follow the signs for Assisi and then on to Valnerina.
By train: The nearest train stations are at Spoletto or Terni
By plane: Perugia’s St Egidio Airport is not far away and the airports of Rome, Pisa, Ancona and Belogna are all within a couple of hours drive.
By bus: There are regular buses from Rome and Perugia direct to Cascia.