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Altitude: 1115 m.l.m.
Inhabitants: Collacchiani


From the entrance to Colle, one of the highest villages in Le Marche, on the top of the hill we can find S. Silvestro’s Church.

Whilst this Church is ancient, the temple for ancient naturalistic cults probably outdates it (S. Silvestro’s feast is very close to the Winter Solstice).

Dionisio Cappelli was the master who made the biggest number of frescos present in this church. The most beautiful among them is for sure the one that reproduces San Silvestro and the Dragon.

On the bell tower we can find an ancient bell with gothic characters, dated 1389.

COLLE’S CHARCOAL PITS

An important aspect of the local economy is represented by the production of Vegetal Coal.

This is a technique as old as man: the charcoal-burners, here called “fire-rulers”, transform the wood to coal by letting it burn in a structure that prevents total combustion. Colle is one of the last villages in Italy where it is still possible to watch this process.

In a couple of days the charcoal-burners build the structure in the square of the village around a central fireplace, giving the typical form of a cone. It’s quite difficult to build it because of the many coats of leafs and also because it requires the necessary access to the air.

When the whole process is finished, it takes about one day in order to close all the holes and let it get cold.

The result of this work is a product of excellent quality for its technical characteristics: it is possible to use it for both cooking and industrial employment.