Preci

Preci originated as an ancient Sabine settlement. In the early Middle Ages it was subject first to the Duchy of Spoleto and later to the Church under Pope Innocent III. In 1232–33, the settlement is recorded as a castrum, and during that period it paid the fodrum, a feudal levy, to Duke Conrad as well as to the papal rector. By the mid-13th century Preci had submitted to the Commune of Norcia, a subjection that was formally recognized in 1276 by the papal legate Capocci. Between 1798 and 1799, during the Roman Republic, Preci was included in the Department of Spoleto within the Canton of Visso and was temporarily separated from Norcia. After 1799 it returned to papal control within the Apostolic Delegation of Spoleto. Under Napoleonic rule from 1809 to 1814, Preci was governed as a mairie in the Department of Trasimeno, Canton of Norcia. With the Restoration in 1814 it returned to the Papal States. In 1817 it was established as an autonomous municipality. The old center of Preci was later ravaged by the October 2016 Central Italy Earthquakes. Since 2019, part of the historic center has been reopened to visitors. == Geography ==

Preci is situated in mountainous terrain within the Castoriana valley and is enclosed by walls. The historic borgo is crossed by the Campiano river. The surrounding territory is largely mountainous. In 2021, 98 people lived in rural dispersed dwellings not assigned to any named locality. At the time, most of the population lived in Preci proper (279), and Corone (83). == Religion and culture ==

Abbey of Sant'Eutizio The abbey of Sant'Eutizio stands on a high cliff overlooking the Castoriana valley. Its foundation is traced to the 5th century, when the Syrian hermit Saint Spes established an oratory. He was succeeded by Saint Eutychius, who built the first church. In the 8th century Benedictine monks replaced the Syrian hermits and constructed a monastery, enlarging the original oratory. The church façade has a gabled form with a Romanesque portal whose lunette bears the date 1190, marking the beginning of construction. It also features a large rose window framed by two orders of small columns and a panel with the symbols of the four Evangelists. The bell tower was built in the 17th century by the architect Crescenzi. The interior consists of a single nave with a raised presbytery; restoration works carried out in the 1950s aimed to recover the original forms. Fragments of the early fresco decoration remain on the windows. Other religious buildings Preci contains the notable Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Santissima della Pietà, which has an organ and a significant painting. The churches of San Martino, the town's patron saint, and Santa Maria also possess organs, including one attributed to of Venice. A solemn feast of the Blessed Sacrament was celebrated on the third Sunday of June, and a fair was held on the first Monday of October. The church of Madonna della Peschiera stands in Borgo Preci, a more recent commercial settlement along the Campiano valley. The Church of Annunziata in Poggio di Croce houses a 14th-century fresco of the Annunciation by Giovanni del Biondo. Museum of Surgery The former church of Santa Caterina now houses the Museum of Precian Surgery, opened in 2009. The exhibition includes portraits of notable physicians, depictions of patients, and anatomical illustrations. Display cases contain surgical instruments used by surgeons from Preci. The church of Santa Caterina is among the oldest churches of Preci and dates to the 10th century. Over time it underwent restorations and alterations that largely changed its original appearance. The Romanesque portal, previously walled up, was reopened during restoration works, and the bell gable above it was consolidated. Other cultural heritage The historic settlement of Preci has a compact urban structure and an appearance shaped largely in the 16th century. Numerous palaces were built between the 16th and 18th centuries by families of physicians connected with the local surgical tradition. In the upper part of the village lies the Scacchi quarter, where houses dating to the 16th century were built by the Scacchi and Mensurati families of physicians. The buildings are characterized by decorated portals and inscriptions with mottos on the architraves. Other sights include: • Remains of the 13th-century castle in the frazione of Acquaro • Pre-historic grotto tombs, in the frazione of Fiano d'Abeto ==Notable people==

Among the notable families of Preci were the Cesqui, regarded in the 19th century as the wealthiest in Todiano, as well as the Riccolini, Salimbeni, and Sbrinchetti. Members of the Carocci family were noted jurists, and one daughter of the family became Countess Augusta Pila. Sigismondo Carocci served at the court of Ferdinand III and, according to tradition, restored the sight of the emperor's mother; in 1648 he was created a noble of the Holy Roman Empire. ==References==