origins
Whether they have religious identity rather than public or private one, historical significance implies a greater responsibility in preserving them.
evolution
Changed over time according to the owners’ still, more tha others categories, preserving their distinctive features.
spreading
Wide presence in the Sabine territory: isolated in the countryside, nestled on the slopes of the mountains or strategically positioned on rocks overlooking valleys
shapes
Massive, squared, transmitting steadiness; height development with openings functional first and then aesthetic.
structure
Characteristics belonged to the military architecture, from the feudal period. Wood and stone are the materials, enriched by craftsmanship over time
ornamental elements
Mosaics, sculptures and paintings with symbolic messages: from religious values to material desires
As far as for castles, it must be said that especially the older ones have identical structures almost, appearance, internal and external arrangements; these features accomplish the need of a military architecture typical of the feudal period, in which the continuous wars of conquest and internal struggles made the noble manifestations of medieval warfare somehow necessary.
That is, not only the feudal lords from X to XIVth century had to live into fortified buildings, but also convents and churches had similar defensive needs.
Masonry material was generally provided by the local rock. The wood abundantly used both in the structures as well as in the internal cladding of the rooms, in the defense works and in the skeleton and roof covering, was supplied by the surrounding woods while the stratified rocks gave slabs used for the flooring and, in some case, even for covers. In this way every feudal lord, even if poor, was able to build a strong and equipped dwelling.
A rough wall of medium thickness surrounds position chosen for defense; along it the patrol path develops, supported by wooden shelves, or made with cantilevered stone slabs, or carved into the wall thickness.
