Taponecco, located at 610 meters above sea level in the municipality of Licciana Nardi, is an ancient hamlet nestled on the slopes of the Apennines. It is characterized by tunnels, arches, vaulted passages, and numerous stone portals. The current settlement forms a compact cluster of houses, but historically also included the nearby Apella tower, originally part of the Castle of Taponecco. Perched on a rocky spur, the tower served as a key lookout point over the Apennine range.
The first written references to Taponecco date back to the 12th century, although human presence in the area is much older, as evidenced by a Stele Statue dating from the Eneolithic period (3rd–2nd millennium BC) found near the village.
Taponecco preserves many medieval and Renaissance features, offering numerous historical and architectural points of interest. The parish church of Santa Maria Assunta, first mentioned in 1187 and shared with the village of Apella, may have originally been located within the old castle grounds.
Today, the bell tower is home to a well-known local farm, and the village continues to retain its historical charm and strong ties to the Bagnone area.
