The town's name derives from the Latin "Ferentum illi", which means "those of Ferento", to remind us that the Lombards, who founded the first settlement, originally came from the ancient city of Ferento. Municipality in the province of Terni, Ferentillo is a medieval city situated in a picturesque gorge in the middle of Val Nerina. The main center is dominated by the ruins of the castles of the XIV century and enriched by the presence of elegant palaces and ancient churches. A maze of narrow alleys, the town is divided into two parts by the River Nera.
The area was colonized around the year 740 by the followers of the Lombard King Liutprando and in 1100 the town was enriched by two fortresses, that were built for defensive purposes. Ferentillo linked to the Abbey of San Pietro in Valle, built in the XV century by the Duke of Spoleto, was assigned to Franceschetto Cybo, the illegitimate son of Pope Innocent VIII. In the first half of the XVI century, his son, Lorenzo, marrying a Malaspina, Ferentillo was incorporated into the territories of the Duchy of Massa and Carrara. The town was granted with a series of statutes and a certain independence, obtained from the Lords of Spoleto and from the Papal States, that created the ideal conditions to develop and grow from the economic, cultural and social point of view. In the first half of the XVIII century the territory was sold to the Benedetti of Spoleto and then it passed to the Montevecchio of Fano.
Attractions:
- the XIII century Church of Santa Maria, which was rebuilt in later centuries. The construction is divided into three naves and preserves within frescoes of the artist Siculo and several other authors of the school of Raphael. On the main portal, there is a XV century fresco depicting the Virgin with Angels;
- the Church of Santo Stefano in Precetto in Renaissance style, was remodeled in the XVIII century. The building was built on two levels: the lower dates back to the XIII century, while the higher one is of the XVI century. The interior is divided in three naves and features frescoes of the artist Siculo and of the pupils of the art school of the Perugino: in the crypt, between the remains of frescoes of the XV century, finds its seat the Museum of the Mummies;
- the Abbey of San Pietro in Valle, situated at the foot of Monte Solenne and was founded in the VIII century. Reconstructed at a later date, it still preserves the original apses and some other structural elements. It has a single nave plan and contains important finds from the Roman era, as well as a series of XII century paintings depicted by various artists. The last renovations go back to 1100 and features a superb lantern, a cloister and a decorated Bell Tower;
- the Church of the Gonfalone;
- Palazzo Montholon.