The small village of Belforte once stood at about 600 metres above sea level, in the upper Valnerina area, on the western side of the river Nera. A short distance from the famous Lebbrosario di San Lazzaro (Leprosy hospital), which is still well-conserved and open for visits, this little village is now reduced to ruins even if it retains some of its original features: the contours of the fortified village perched on the slope of the hill are, in fact, still visible.
Most of the buildings were damaged by the area’s numerous earthquakes, with the last and most destructive striking in 1997. The aftershocks also destroyed the little church of San Cristoforo and the adjoining sacristy.