Monte Ruffiano and ‘Witches Tower’

Monte Ruffiano and ‘Witches Tower’

Historical place Village / castle

Shortly after the town of San Vito, a monumental fortress with a sinister and fascinating profile dominates the wonderful landscape below: the castle of Monte Ruffiano.
Of its ancient splendor, today nothing remains but a ruin surrounded by a dense bush. The tower, which is missing on the third floor, however, retains the ground floor which housed a church dedicated to Saint Stephen, of which the original stone paving is still visible.

Old popular legends still tell of sinister presences today. In the past, during Holy Week, it is said that the farmers of the area saw a dense procession of lights coming from this place, made even more frightening by the darkness of the night. Another very curious fact is linked to a small intersection, located near the tower, called “witches crossroads”: according to another legend, on the night of San Giovanni (June 24), some witches gathered at this point to hold a sort of conference, hence also the name of “Tower of the witches”.


Passignano sul Trasimeno