Castle of Petroia
The Castrum Petroie occupies a dominant position overlooking the valley of the River Chiascio. There is evidence of its existence from the 11th century. The Holy Roman Emperors Frederick I Barbarossa (in 1163), Henry VI (in 1191) and Otto IV (in 1211) all confirmed that Gubbio had right of ownership of the fortress. Between 1256-1259 Gubbio and Perugia were engaged in a bitter conflict within the wider struggle between the Guelphs and Ghibellines. The pretext for the start of hostilities was provided when some Eugubine vassals, including the feudal lords of Petroia, swore fedelty to the rival town. In 1292 the inhabitants of the district succeeded in returning it to the jurisdiction of Gubbio against the wishes of their overlords. The name of the actual church of St. Michael, a holy building located near the castle (ecclesia S.ti Angeli et Clementis de Petrolio) can be read in the records that I collected from the decime of the years 1295-1397. Records show that in 1414 the castle was sold to Matteo degli Accomandugi by Count Guidantonio da Montefeltro.