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(Fraz.Montalto) All of the Montalto and Cessapalombo territories belonged to the Bendictine Abbey
of Casauria even before the year 1000; the fortress developed on top of a earlier Benedictine Court. In 1259,
following the abandonment of the territory by the monks, the castle is recorded as belonging to the Paganelli
fiefdom, who in the same year ceded it along with Morico to San Ginesio, while official ownership remained with
Rinaldo Brunforte. Records of 1264 cite the castle as being under the dominion of Gentile da Varano, who may
have added the fortress in that period, while in 1502 the castle was included among the Borgia land holdings.
The fortress rises out of the hills, high above the town, with ruins of a square tower and walls. The sturdy
cistern with a barrel vaulted ceiling, although now filled, is still visible, as is the rectangular well once
used for drawing water from the spring.
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