Castellino delle Formiche

The name of Castellino delle Formiche can be traced back to the popular translation of the medieval Latin expression Castrum Formigis (formidable castle). The fort was the residence of a branch of the Malatigni family, coming from the area of the Sassi fortresses of Roccamalatina. In the 14th century, the castle was acquired by the Montecuccoli; in 1623 it was added to the Podesteria of Guiglia, which in turn was ceded in 1630 as a fief to the Montecuccoli.[2]The church of Santo Stefano was built inside the castle, near the oratory of San Lorenzo already documented in the 13th century; the rectory has a 15th century portal, made with powerful sandstone ashlars arranged in a pointed arch. Inside the building of worship, there is a baptismal font from 1662 in sculpted sandstone, 17th century paintings and terracotta tiles depicting the Via Crucis.