| Historical documents attest the presence of San Felice Estate since the early 16th century; it is indeed one of the oldest houses of the huge estate that once belonged to the Augustinian order, near the S. Felice di Giano Abbey, a splendid example of Lombard-Romanesque art. The rural structure was once one of the most important centres of S. Felice Farm; it contained a zootechnic centre from 1966 to 1990 and then, in 1991, the old oil-mill of S. Felice Abbey. In fact we owe to the Augustinian monks of this coenoby the presence in Giano municipality of the fine olive tree species called "S. Felice's sweet" - |
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dolce - thanks to the mild-tasting oil yielded from its ruits. The
old Roman Flaminia road runs in the proximity, surrounded by many
interesting ancient ruins. In an inner room of S. Felice Estate
was found a plaque with the name of the artist who painted the series
of frescos of the Abbey's cloister-garth, i.e. Brother Giuseppe
Maria Franciosi di Antrodoco; this plaque has been recently relocated
in the garth. The nearby church Madonna del Pianto - Our Lady of
Tears - is a typical example of the conversion of a majestic church
into a small one; its walls host an interesting fresco of 1713.
The surrounding medieval castles of Giano, Montecchio, Castagnola
della Morcicchia and Moiano are also worth a visit, together with
the tower of the ruined castle of Clarignano, known as "Morcicchia
Tower".
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