Hidden Gems - The Charming Villages of Le Marche: Monte Vidon Corrado

Monte Vidon Corrado is a village I have always wanted to explore, a place where art, history and nature intertwine in a perfect balance. My curiosity drives me to walk its cobbled streets, to touch the ancient medieval walls and to admire the genius of Osvaldo Licini in his house-museum. I want to breathe the fresh air of the Sibillini Mountains, listen to the silence of a small community, and let myself be enveloped by the authentic aromas and flavours of the Marche tradition. Monte Vidon Corrado is not just a destination, but an experience to be lived intensely with all the senses.

Follow me on an ideal day spent in this beautiful village in the Marche region and live a sensory experience with me.

The day began early, as the sun began to colour the historic centre of Monte Vidon Corrado with warm light. As I strolled through the cobbled streets, my eyes lingered on the medieval walls surrounding the village. The ancient stone, worn by time, reflected yellow and orange tones, and the Tower of the Church of San Vito, dominating the landscape, stood with its imposing form, a symbol of protection and historical memory.

The cool morning wind caressed my face, carrying the smell of dew on the grasses growing along the roadsides. The silence of the village was broken only by the light sound of my shoes on the stones and the song of birds hidden among the rooftops. Every step connected me to the history of these walls, erected centuries ago, and I felt the cold roughness of the stones under my hand, almost like a direct contact with ancient times.

I stopped at a small local coffee shop and ordered an espresso. The bitter, intense taste of coffee flooded my mouth, awakening my senses. The contrast between the warmth of the cup in my hands and the crisp air around was pleasant, leaving me to fully enjoy that first contact with the village.

After my morning walk, I headed for the Osvaldo Licini House Museum, one of the most important places in Monte Vidon Corrado. The house, which had been the famous painter's creative refuge, was nestled between the narrow streets of the village. Already from the façade, I felt enveloped by an artistic atmosphere, but upon entering, my eyes were immediately drawn to the vibrant colours of Licini's works. The abstract shapes in bright tones seemed to dance on the walls, arousing intense and almost palpable emotions.

In the silence of the exhibition, my ears picked up only the rustle of footsteps on the ancient terracotta flooring, accompanied by the distant echo of life outside. The scent of old wood and dust enveloped me, combined with that of the paints that seemed still alive in Licini's brushstrokes.

Before leaving, I ate a piece of crescia with cheese and ham, taken from a small shop along the street. The salty flavour of the cheese blended perfectly with the softness of the bread, and each bite made me feel closer to the land and the culinary traditions of this place. The light wind caressed my face, bringing with it the scent of the surrounding countryside.

Continuing my journey, I found myself in front of the majestic Church of San Vito Martire, the main parish of the village. Its simple but elegant façade stands out against the clear sky. Upon entering, the air was immediately fresh and solemn. My footsteps barely resounded on the stone floor, while silence reigned supreme, interrupted only by the faint whispering of prayers and the crackling of lit candles.

Inside, the smell of incense and wax pervaded the room, creating a feeling of spiritual recollection. I knelt for a moment of reflection and the coolness of the stones on my hands reminded me of the antiquity of that sacred place. The frescoes on the walls, their colours faded by time, told stories of faith and devotion.

Outside, the warm sun warmed my skin, and I decided to eat a local sweet, a Marche doughnut I had brought with me. The delicate, spicy flavour of aniseed filled my mouth, a taste of sweetness that contrasted nicely with the austerity of the holy place. The sweet smell of the doughnut mingled with the scent of the aromatic plants surrounding the church, creating a perfect balance between the sacred and the everyday.

In the early afternoon, the heat of the sunny day made itself felt, and I found refuge in the Municipal Library. Inside, the atmosphere was cool and cosy, ideal for a relaxing moment. The smell of old books and yellowed paper pervaded the air, a scent that aroused my curiosity. As I approached the shelves, my eyes ran between the worn covers, and touching the stiff spines of the volumes, I felt the weight of knowledge accumulated over time.

The silence was broken only by the rustling of pages and the whispers of the few people present, creating an ideal environment to immerse oneself in reading. I decided to leaf through a book on the history of Monte Vidon Corrado and its traditions. Every word seemed to tell a piece of this ancient village, which I had come to know more and more.

As I read, I could not resist another taste of Ascoli olives I had bought that morning. The salty, crunchy flavour of the fried olives perfectly complemented the quiet moment, filling my mouth with pleasure as the wind came in through the open windows, carrying with it the smell of the countryside around the village.

My day was drawing to a close, and I knew there was a perfect place to enjoy the sunset: the panoramic balcony with a view of the Sibillini Mountains. As I climbed to the top, the view left me breathless. In front of me, the mountains stretched majestically, illuminated by the last rays of sunlight that tinged the sky orange and pink.

The view was a triumph for the senses: my eyes were lost in the infinity of the mountains, while the wind brought me the sound of leaves dancing to the rhythm of the breeze. I breathed deeply, filling my lungs with the fresh, pure air that smelled of wild herbs and earth. The contact with the cold stone of the parapet under my hands made me feel part of that majestic landscape.

I sipped a glass of local red wine, its rich, full-bodied taste perfectly matched the atmosphere around me. The fruity notes of the wine filled my mouth as the sun slowly disappeared behind the peaks of the Sibillini Mountains. Each sip was a toast to that perfect day of history, art, faith and nature. With the last ray of sunshine, a sense of deep peace enveloped me, uniting all my senses in a moment of absolute harmony. With the sun now gone behind the mountains, the silence of the evening was broken only by the distant song of crickets, as a sense of deep peace enveloped me, completing my experience at Monte Vidon Corrado.

Monte Vidon Corrado thus emerges as a place where history, art, spirituality and nature come together in a unique and engaging experience.

With the sun now set behind the Sibillini Mountains, the village of Monte Vidon Corrado plunged into the stillness of evening. The narrow streets became silent, lit by a few street lamps that cast soft shadows on the stone walls. The air had cooled and carried with it the scent of burning wood, a sign that families were beginning to prepare dinner.

Sitting on a bench, I enjoyed the tranquillity of the moment, with the distant sound of a few bells and the chirping of crickets to keep me company. My eyes were lost in the stars that were beginning to dot the sky. I could still taste the wine in my mouth, a last taste of the day. It had been a complete sensory journey, made of discoveries and authentic sensations, which I would carry with me forever.

It’s time for me to hit the road again. I’m wondering where the roads will lead me. To another village, another story, another hidden gem of Le Marche.