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Cassero Tower in Poggio Bustone: the remains of the castle claimed by Rieti and Cittaducale
The Torre del Cassero is all that remains of the castle of Poggio Bustone, a village perched on the ridges of the Rieti Holy Valley — the same valley that is home to four Franciscan sanctuaries. Only the lower section of the tower survives: an irregularly-planned stone base located at the edge of the settlement, likely connected to one of the old gates. Very little remains of the original castle itself.
A castle donated, destroyed, and contended
The castrum of Poggio Bustone first appears in 12th-century documents, when it was donated to Farfa Abbey. Shortly after, it fell under the influence of the Norman Kingdom of Southern Italy, and later became part of the Rieti territory. An earthquake in the Middle Ages completely destroyed the building. However, the event that gave the tower its historical weight occurred in 1388, when the priors of Rieti and representatives of Cittaducale met within these walls to sign a peace treaty. The two cities had fought for control over Poggio Bustone for years due to its strategic position overlooking the entire plain.
Italy’s most famous greeting
St Francis also passed through here in 1208. Upon entering the village gate, located just below the tower, he greeted the inhabitants with the words, "Good morning, good people!" (Buongiorno, buona gente!). This gave rise to the name by which the gate is known today: Porta del Buongiorno. Seven hundred years later, the legendary singer-songwriter Lucio Battisti was born in this very same village.
