The foundation date of the Castrum Certalta remains uncertain. The earliest mention dates to the 12th century when the church of Sant’Andrea in the castrum at Certalto is named as part of the patrimony of the nearby monastery of San Salvatore di Monte Acuto in a papal bull issued by Eugene III in 1145.
Its strategic position, controlling an important belt of territory contested during the late medieval period by Città di Castello and Gubbio, meant that it was often involved in violent clashes leading to frequent changes in its ownership. The garrison was partially destroyed several times, each of which followed by the strengthening of its defences.

The excavation results have defined important, previously unknown, or only partially known, aspects regarding the settlement’s topography. Two areas were investigated, sectors A and B. In sector A, situated in the central part of the excavation area, several walls built of sandstone blocks were identified. Of small to medium size, they were part of a quadrangular room (room A) itself part of a larger complex, whose size and layout are at present unknown. The excavation of this room is to be completed.

In sector B, situated in the southern part of the excavation area, a number of walls built of local sandstone blocks were identified. Of small to medium size, they belonged to three rooms. Two small adjoining rooms, abutting the settlement’s curtain wall (rooms B and C) were probably part of a single block, whose extension is not yet known. The doors of both rooms were identified, each with threshold and corner hinges. The excavation of these rooms continues. A large rectangular room (room D) with a quadrangular apse was probably a church, perhaps identifiable with the church of Sant’Andrea in castrum, often cited in documentary sources but never located. The internal faces of the walls presented traces of plaster. In the room’s south-eastern corner a small patch of floor was uncovered, made up of flat terracotta tiles, laid horizontally, dating to the structure’s final phase. The structure was entered through a lateral door, with a large threshold and corner hinges. Excavation of this room continues.

The preliminary study of the pottery provided evidence, which for the moment, indicates occupation in the periods attested by the documentary sources, between the full medieval and Renaissance periods. A preliminary analysis of the artefacts has defined a chronological seriation consenting the association of the finds to the various structures identified.