Cesi 2026

CESI 2026 – CESI Gateway to Umbria is a pilot project for the cultural, social and economic regeneration under construction, financed, together with 20 others in Italy, by the Ministry of Culture through the PNRR M1C3 – Intervention 2.1 – Attractiveness of historical villages.

The announcement, requested by the Ministry of Culture, awarded 20 million each to 21 selected municipalities throughout Italy. 
 

Each region and the two autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano, made a selection among all the ideas and projects presented by the municipalities for the so-called Bando Borghi Linea A (Village Tender Line A). 
In Umbria there were 38 applications in the first phase, then reduced to 19 in the second phase of the examination, which led the examination board of internal and external experts to assign first place in the ranking to the Terni Municipality for the village of Cesi, on 9 March 2022. The decision adopted was then approved by the Regional Council.  

The project selected by the Umbria Region, together with the other 20, was then assessed by the Ministry of Culture, also through a series of audits by a specially formed commission. 
At the end of this complex procedure, which also required some adjustments to the initial project, Decree SG 453 of 7 June 2022 was made. 

 

The title of the project is “Cesi gateway to Umbria, door of wonders: open doors for outdoor”.
On the basis of this idea, Cesi will be enhanced as gateway to southern and central Umbria and as a village suited to welcoming and promoting tourism in its area and the entire region. It will also be suitable for a new residency, where green technologies for travelling can be used at their best. The most current ways of living, with digital connections, cultural heritage, intangible heritage of traditions, intergenerational relationships and environmental education.

The idea of the project is to pay special attention to outdoor activities and walking, but it is based upon Cesi’s heritage of history, archaeology and art, on the rediscovery of its traditions, also through new ways of narrating. It is also based on Cesi’s exceptional geographic position, of great landscape value, perched on high and closely linked to its mountainous system, but also very near the major road and railway communication routes.

In particular, a hub for outdoor sports has been proposed, also taking advantage of the surrounding areas (former football ground). Further along, the creation of a specific accommodation facility (bike resort, guide house), of a new accommodation facility with a widespread hotel, a new  residency for the buildings of the former Mother Francesca Peticca convent and former St.Onofrio convent and a university-level study campus in the archaeological and environmental fields. As well as a residency for the elderly which can enhance their role with the support of a research centre of intangible culture and popular traditions, itineraries, routes and structures dedicated to walking. Furthermore, a soft mobility system has been provided, by means of electric buses to support the practice of outdoor sport in the mountain area (Mtb, e-bike, downhill, paragliding, biking, climbing, speleology, etc.) as well as connections for the town centre, railway station and area of the Marmore Falls, and to expand the offer of outdoor sport including those related to water as part of an integrated project with the main tourist attractions in the area.

A system of guides and information points has been designed and proposed to render the village and its great archaeological, artistic and historical heritage more attractive, also with the reuse of premises such as the St.Andrew theatre, St.Angelo auditorium, the parish museum, Stocchi palace with the Aeolia cave and former parish cinema.