Sambiase originated around the monastery of San Biagio in the 10th century. Its inhabitants came from neighboring hills, as well as areas further inland than the Reventino. They gathered in boroughs that are even today characteristic of the town (Patelle, Cafaldo, Craparizza), which preserve its original imprint, even though they have been modified in part by successive reconstructions that did not always follow previous patterns. The town started with a typical funnel-shaped main road, marked by two characteristic buildings that were later substituted by the monastery of Saint Frances and by that of the Carmine. The Cantagali stream securely defined the town’s border and its defenses. Two fortifications were placed on its banks, with two very narrow arches, which served to divide the town in two and impede eventual invaders from passing the stream.

Piazza Fiorentino (1928) Sambiase Storicitta Collection