In the context of these castrensian settlements tied to the defence of the territory, we also find that Castrum Luceolis which is mentioned starting with the Historia Langobardorum by Paolo Diacono. No material vestige has yet emerged in the territory of Cantiano which points to this settlement that scholars position at some undefined point between the territories of Cagli and Scheggia. Decades of discussion have arisen on the exact identification of the site. We know that Luceoli was first destroyed by Otto III in 966 A.D. and finally destroyed by che Liutprando of Supplinburg, in 1127. Castrum Cantiani rose on its ruins.

1. Trim from a military belt from the Pontericcioli area pentagonal in shape with decorations, from the second half of the IV century A.D.

In 404 A.D., when the Emperor of the West, Honorarius passed through the territory of Cantiano, according to Claudiano, he saw the areas dedicated to Apennine Jove still venerated by the shepherds of the area. In fact, the first Christian religious settlements appeared in this area only at the beginning of the VII century. From this point on, various religious institutions appeared which replaced the traditional lay forms of territorial administration. Among these, the most important were the Abbey of St. Michael Archangel, located in Chiaserna, already existent around the year 1000 and the ruins of which are still visible at the foot of Mt. Petria, in the place the locals call "Badia". Of particular interest is the crypt, with a curved vaulted roof, supported by a column of pink granite; and the Parish Church of St. Crescentino, built in the IX century, and which quickly took on an import civil, political and administrative role, especially for the rural population.

2. Sanctuary pluteus fragment from the Parish Church of St. Crescentino, built between the IX and X century, north-west of Cantiano. It is a sandstone fragment sculpted in bas-relief with frequent decorative motifs in an Umbrian context. In the apse of the Church of St. Crescentino a sandstone slab is conserved, similar to the piece displayed in the museum. Both pieces can be dated in the course of the IX century A.D.

3. Archaic biansata majolica cup, Umbrian production, from S. Crescentino (End of XIII - beginning of XIV century)

 

4. Bottom of archaic majolica cup, Umbrian production, from S. Crescentino (End of XIII - beginning of XIV century).

 

5. Part of a carenated bowl in “green” archaic majolica, Umbrian production, from S. Crescentino (first half of XV century).

 

 

 

6. Part of a hemispheric bowl in “green” archaic majolica, Umbrian production, from S. Crescentino (XIV century).

7. Wide mouthed pitcher spout in “green” archaic majolica, Umbrian production, from S. Crescentino (mid XIII century).

8. Bottom of a bowl in “green” archaic majolica, Umbrian production, from S. Crescentino ( XIV century.).
9. Bottom of a bowl in “green” archaic majolica, Umbrian production, from S. Crescentino ( XIV century).
10. Bottom of a bowl in “green” archaic majolica, Umbrian production, from S. Crescentino ( XIV century).
11. Bottom of a bowl in “green” archaic majolica, Umbrian production, from S. Crescentino ( XIV century).
12. Fragment of a basin in “green” archaic majolica, Umbrian production, from S. Crescentino ( XIV century).
13. Part of a small carenated bowl in “green” archaic majolica, Umbrian production, from S. Crescentino ( last quarter of XIV century – first half of XV century).
14. Part of a bowl in “green” archaic majolica, Umbrian production, from S. Crescentino( XIV century.).

The Gabrielli Fortress and the Castle of Cantiano

The vestiges of the Castle of Cantiano are visible today on the summit of the Rocca di S.Ubaldo. Together with the Tower that rose over the Colmatrano Fortress, constituted the feudal estate of the Counts Bonaccorsi. Frederick II gave the two fortresses to the city of Gubbio in 1244. The tower – Colmatrano Fortress, on a square plan, about 24 mt. high, was the home of Count Bonaccorsi and his family, while the Gabrielli family of Gubbio lived in the castle, which they surrendered in 1393 to Count Anthony of Montefeltro after a long siege. In 1478, the castle was rebuilt by Francesco di Giorgio Martini. For an idea of the castle and the village of Cantiano, in the museum there is a reproduction on display of a watercolour by Francesco Mingucci, painted in 1626.

15. Fragments of enamelled ceramics from the Gabrielli Fortress.
16. Fragments of archaic majolica and archaic blue majolica from the Gabrielli Fortress, which can be dated to the XIV century.
17. Zaffera in relief from the Gabrielli Fortress dated to the first half of the XV century.
18. Fragments of blown glass, from tableware like glasses, chalices and bottles, which can be dated to between the XIV and XVI century

19. Metal objects, like iron arrow points from the XIV century, knives, needles, a thimble, keys, nails, ghiazzerino rings.

20. Articles used for spinning wool.
21. Coins from the late Middle Ages, mostly ravegnani from the XIV century

 

The “Vaie Rotonda”: the war and the siege

A military station that was the main quartering camp of Count Anthony of Montefeltro against Francesco Gabrielli in the great siege of 1384-1393.

22. Arrow heads from a heavy crossbow and iron crossbow (XIV century)

23. Iron key.
24. Nails.
25. Iron Knife.

26. Ghiazzerino.
27. Archaic majolica pitchers (second half of XIV century)
28. 113 coins from the late Middle Ages, including a Frederick II coin (circa 1245), an agontano (XII century) and a denarius from Macerata (1316 – 1334).

Other metal Medieval finds come from the Piano di Sterpeto and from Fonte dei Monaci

29. Inscribed stone from the Tower of St. Nicolò, which celebrated the erection of the Tower, which no longer stands today, by the Podestà Albert of Florence who, in 1255, governed Cantiano on behalf of the church..