The Knights Templar treasure: an old Castignano legend says that an army of Knights is buried in the area. Could that be also the burial site for the elusive Templar treasure?
Many legends surround the village of Castignano (Ascoli Piceno), one of the main settlement of the Templar Knights in Le Marche region. The Templars were an order of monks-soldiers dedicated to the protection of the pilgrims in their voyage to the Holy Land. Le Marche region was an important passage in the way to Jerusalem. From the port of Ancona pilgrims and crusaders embarked to their destination and there was a strong presence of Templar hospitals and churches, in this area. Often Templar symbols are found on churches, monuments and in the many subterranean galleries thought to be secret gathering spots, like in Osimo underground.
The Knights Templar history starts in the year 1119 in Jerusalem where the order took its name from the Solomon Temple.When the Christians finally left the Holy Land, the Templars moved to Cyprus and from there spread in Europe. They accumulated great wealth and power with banking activities, lending money to the kings of Europe. The Templar prosperous business turned into their ruin when Philip the Fair of France, unable to repay his enormous debt with them, decided to wipe out the order all together. He also convinced the Pope Clemente V to accuse the Templars of heresy and confiscate all their property.
It adds to the legends and mysteries surroundings the Templars the fact that the last Grand Master, James de Molay, dying after atrocious tortures, coursed the names of Philip and Clemente. Within a year both Clemente and Philip died. An army of Knights Templar is said to be buried in the vicinity of Castignano. There they lay in full armor, face down in sign of humility but ready to spring up at a call to fight. Might they be still protecting the famous but elusive Knights Templar treasure?
The village takes a special atmosphere. The view from the square at the top of the town is spectacular and the mood is that of a magic midsummer night.
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The knights were persecuted, killed and tortured and in few years the order was completely annihilated.
Castignano celebrates this legacy with 
