The hermitage of Cerbaiolo, located in the municipality of Pieve Santo Stefano, has a fascinating history that dates back several centuries. Here are some highlights from its story:
8th century: The first small monastery was built and was built by Tedaldo, lord of Tiferno (Città di Castello), as a gift to his daughter. The daughter's request was to build it on bare rock, "like Golgotha".
12th - 13th century: After a period of growth, the few remaining Benedictine monks abandoned Cerbaiolo to move to two other monasteries in the area, leaving the hermitage uninhabited.
17th century: A chapel in honor of San Antonio is built in the woods, where his hut is said to be. This gesture also served to preserve the memory of a previous small oratory.
18th century: The friars leave Cerbaiolo and move to Pieve Santo Stefano. The hermitage becomes the parish seat with the title of "S. Antonio da Padova" and is governed by a priest. Thus the small hamlet of the Municipality was born.
19th century: In 1867, the poet Giosuè Carducci was a guest in Cerbaiolo and portrayed his experience in the ode "To the friends of the Tiber Valley".
20th century: During the two wars, 39 people lived in Cerbaiolo, in addition to those who lived in the surrounding farmhouses.