Colliano and Collianello: what to see

At the foot of Monte Marzano, Colliano overlooks the Sele Valley. Meadows, woodland and the protected Eremita and Marzano mountains surround the town. Birds of prey and wolves are among the animals found in this mountain environment.

Black truffles are a local speciality. Colliano and nearby Collianello also offer historic streets, castle remains, churches and walking routes. Check current dates with local organisers before planning a visit around a truffle event.

Collianello

The smaller hilltop settlement has wide views over the valley. The ruins of its castle recall the strategic role of this position, while paths around the village offer opportunities to explore the surrounding countryside.

History of Colliano

The origin of the name is uncertain; one suggested connection is the Roman gens Collia. From the ninth century, people living on lower ground moved to higher rocky sites for greater protection from raids and warfare. This history shaped the fortified appearance of the village.

Colliano later passed between the Blanch, De Riso, Alemagna and Caracciolo families and the Duke of Martina. A letter from Pope Innocent III to the Bishop of Conza in 1200 is among the earliest certain written references to the town. The Norman period was particularly important in its development.

What to see

• The Church of Saints Peter and Paul.
• The Norman castle remains, including sections of the walls and towers.
• The single-nave Church of San Martino and its rectangular bell tower in Collianello.
• The eleventh-century Church of Santa Maria del Borgo and Palazzo Borriello.
• Funerary finds, including an urn, stone markers and a stone cross, in the public garden on Viale Terlizzi.
• The Eremita and Marzano mountain protected area.