Nowadays the village of Castel Santa Maria stands on the western slope of the high ground with the same place name, on the summit of which a pre-existing settlement can be seen that was probably put there, together with the fortified enclosure of Monte Caefischi, to control the col on which rises the church of Madonna della Neve. 

A close examination of several elements reveals traces of the age of the site.  In fact, long stretches of the road running from Castel Santa Maria to Forca Della Civita have been dug into the ground and held in place by terraces consisting of huge, roughly hewn, dry stone blocks.

Today’s settlement stretches like a village along either side of the road running through it which forms one of the links between Casciano and Piano di Santa Scolastica.The large number of cowsheds and barns are witness to the agricultural use of the place following its transformation: on the northern side the steps can be seen that were used as “yards” by the inhabitants, but which suggest dwellings built on different levels down the slope.