We are in the municipality of Pratovecchio (AR), in the midst of beautiful countryside surrounded by the peaks of the Apennines. The name Romena probably comes from the Etruscan "Ormena", meaning that there were already humans here at that time, an idea supported by the finding of domestic jar fragments and utensils that were unearthed during some of the excavations. The area has one of the Casentino's best known parishes and a historical castle. The Saint Peter Parish Church in Romena is surely one of the most interesting Romanesque buildings in the Casentino. It was built in the mid 12th century on the remains of a previous 8th century church, which is visible beneath the presbytery. To the left, the bell tower rises from the massive building. Behind is the apse with two rows of arches with mullioned windows and one three-mullioned window. The structure is based on a basilica plan with three naves, supported by monolithic boulder columns topped with exquisitely worked capitals with leaves and esoteric figures. The ceiling is exposed beams. The presbytery is raised compared to the naves.

On a nearby hill, in a dominant position over both the town of Pratoveccio and the Casentino valley, is the Romena castle, of historical significance. The castle was built around the year 1000 at the request of Count Alberto of Spoleto, who at that time had extended his power throughout the Casentino. Following marriages among nobles, the House of the Guidi counts was established, and Romena became one of the main family fortifications. This castle housed the branch of the Guidi of Romena whose head was Aghinolfo, and the castle and all its adjacent lands were his fiefdom. The Guidi were divided between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, and many feuds between various family factions took place at Romena. The castle's fame lasted until Dante's time, when he described it in Canto XXX of the Inferno, in the episode with Master Adam, who paid with his life for having falsified Florentine Florins on behalf of the Guidi.

In 1357, Romena, like so many other centres in the area, also ended up as one of Florence's possessions. The Florentines bought the castle for the substantial sum of 9,000 gold Florins, which were justified by the fortress's size, at that time a triple circle of walls defended by fourteen towers. After its glorious past, Romena declined in importance and, by now reduced to rubble, was bought in the 18th century by Goretti-Flamini, to whom it belongs to this day. Today three towers and part of the walls remain, leaving it still wonderful and imposing. You can still see the drawbridge, prisons and patrol walkway.

In 1902, Gabriele d'Annunzio stayed here, and inspired by the Casentino, celebrated it in his third book of the Laudi.