Ponzano di Fermo and Torchiaro: picturesque villages sprinkled with marvelous masterpieces. Enjoy our itinerary to discover the historic center.
Are you planning an enchanting holiday in Le Marche to enjoy the extraordinary beauty of unique places and picturesque destinations sprinkled with historical and artistic treasures? The marvelous medieval town of Ponzano di Fermo, perched on a hilltop amidst the spectacular landscapes of the Marche region, offers numerous tourist attractions and sites of considerable artistic, architectural, and archaeological interest. As you visit its picturesque historic center and pretty hamlets, you will be mesmerized at every turn and turn of your itinerary.
Let us set out together to discover the magnificent treasures of the historic centre of Ponzano di Fermo and the enchanting village of Torchiaro. Are you ready to find out with us the evocative stories, fascinating legends, and age-old traditions related to the destinations of the fantastic itinerary we have outlined for you? Castles, votive temples, ancient fountains, the Museum of Popular Culture, and the admirable masterpieces created in the workshops by skilled craftsmen will provide an exciting and evocative experience. Keep on reading to learn more about the stages of our itinerary, which will guide you through the monuments, ancient buildings in the historic centre of these villages, and the spectacular natural scenery of the Marche countryside.
Visit the enchanting historic center of Ponzano di Fermo
The exciting itinerary of the historic center of Ponzano di Fermo is conceived with the majestic castle walls as a reference point, which conceal the village's most ancient nucleus, to continue the visit by exploring seven stages that constitute milestones of artistic and architectural masterpieces and panoramic viewpoints from which to admire spectacular landscapes. Due to the small size of the town, you can complete the route in anywhere from three hours to half a day, depending on how much time you have available and how deeply you want to explore each attraction.
Our tour of the historic center of Ponzano di Fermo will allow you to appreciate the warmth and friendliness typical of rural villages, where rituals that evoke a sense of nostalgia beat daily routines. If you prefer visiting the Ponzano di Fermo and Torchiaro at a leisurely pace, we suggest dedicating half a day to exploring the village and its hamlets. Strolling through its streets, alleys, and small squares will offer continuous surprises.
Before undertaking your excursion among the attractions of this enchanting village, we recommend that you park your car at the beginning of the town center so that you can enjoy a unique experience and embark on a journey of discovery of its fascinating history and the extraordinary monuments that dot every corner of this lovely destination.
First stop: the Ponzano di Fermo castle and bell tower
We advise you to arrive near the mighty castle in the early hours of dawn to treat yourself to a splendid itinerary among the treasures of the historic center of Ponzano di Fermo, which overlooks the lush valley furrowed by the Cocollo ditch. For the first part of the itinerary, we recommend wearing comfortable clothing and sports shoes to get around and contemplate the infinite beauty and breathtaking views around the charming village.
Walk up the ramp that branches off from the parish churchyard of Santa Maria to an evocative belvedere, and you will cross the threshold of the gate magnificent castle of Ponzano di Fermo adjacent to the old town hall.
It is very engaging to enter the historical center from such a solemn and spectacular entrance, surrounded by an elegant Gothic arch surmounted by the clock and bell. Passing through the majestic gateway, you have access to a mythical world permeated with legends and stories about kings, ladies, and brave knights engaged in duels and exciting jousts. Along the route, you will be amazed by the view of the characteristic hamlet of Torchiaro, which you can see from the loggia of the old town hall.
Second stop: the creative artisan workshops of Ponzano di Fermo
Our journey through the alleys and narrow streets of the picturesque historic center leads us to the next stop, represented by the centuries-old workshops of talented artisans, who, with their flair and creativity, create extraordinary artifacts, refined statues, and furnishings inspired by the decorations and leitmotifs of the varied Ponzano tradition, preferring very ductile materials such as terracotta and ceramics.
Are fond of traditional embroidery and lace? Would you like to deepen your knowledge of the techniques of weavers? A tour of the workshops of these exceptional artists is sure a fantastic suggestion for an original gift.
Third stop: the Church of Santa Maria a Pede Pontis
Before continuing our tour of the village, it is time to take a break, sitting at the tables of a cozy café overlooking the main square to refresh ourselves while sipping an exquisite coffee. Nearby, we can reach a few viewpoints where you can appreciate the incredible scenery before us.
After relaxing, we can resume our journey, heading for the next stage of our fascinating itinerary. We walk along Via Giuseppe Garibaldi towards the neoclassical Church well-known as Santa Maria a Pede Pontis, built by the Confraternity of the Holy Sacrament and Rosary in 1792. We are in front of a remarkably evocative place, rich in history. Looking at the façade, we can see the typical architectural schemes followed by Pietro Augustoni of Como. Next to it is the Oratory, dating back to 1872. Let's take this fantastic opportunity to visit its splendid interior. Upon entering, we are amazed by the intense mystical luminosity accentuated by the large windows.
Among the various treasures, we can contemplate a magnificent wooden altar on which the plaster statue of St Anthony of Padua rests. The second altar, decorated with fine Corinthian capitals and marbled vases, is dedicated to the fervent devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary.The other artworks present include an admirable altarpiece depicting Our Lady of the Rosary, St Catherine, and St Dominic, the execution of which can be attributed to Cristoforo Roncalli, the Pomarancio, and a high relief oval depicting a Madonna and Child.
On the high altar, we find a tabernacle in the form of a small temple of classical inspiration, an oil painting depicting the Madonna and Child, St. Joseph, St. Mark the Evangelist, and the Purgatory Souls, three marvelous chandeliers made of refined Murano crystal, and a very precious reliquary of the Holy Cross, created in gilded silver. Other masterpieces we suggest you explore are a painting of the Virgin Mary Divine Shepherdess made by Maria Lucentini and a painting of the Crucifixion.
Fourth stop: discovering delicious local products and accommodation facilities
After admiring the many attractions of the old town, the magnificent gardens and green spaces where our four-legged friends can enjoy themselves during an intense morning of art, history, and handicraft traditions, it is time to treat ourselves to a delicious lunch, savoring some local specialties. The wide range of accommodation and food and wine facilities where you can stay can satisfy all tastes.
Still marveling at the incredible artworks along the streets of the village, we find ourselves in the vicinity of a typical, charming, and very cozy restaurant.
Flipping through the varied menu, we find tasty delicacies to try. First courses include vingisgrassi and maccheroncini di Campofilone, while main courses include fish light soup, a delicious fried fish a and the irresistible Ascolan olives, a real delicacy.
As an excellent accompaniment to the lavish meal, we can choose between the aromatic notes of the excellent Rosso Piceno Sangiovese, ideal for structured and substantial dishes, and the Terra d'Offida. To complete the banquet, we recommend tasting almandovolo, a delicious Marche dessert made with almonds and chocolate, or a hearty slice of an exquisite chestnut log.
Fifth stop: Moscogna Spring
The fifth stop, which opens the second part of the itinerary among the attractions of Ponzano di Fermo and the splendid points of interest of the surrounding localities, is Moscogna Spring , 1.1 km from the historic center and easily reached by car along Provincial Road 66 along Via Fonte in the direction of Capparuccia. The first historical evidence of its presence dates back to cadastral documents of 1537, while in the 19th century, they mention it under the name Fonte Moscone.
What will immediately catch your attention and arouse your curiosity is the evocative Lu Mascuru, the cute face carved in stone from which the water flows. Had you been there in past centuries, you might have witnessed the gathering of the inhabitants of the pretty village, mainly women intent on doing their laundry or rinsing their vegetables while singing traditional local songs.
Sixth stop: the Motocross Track
Are you looking for a great idea to treat yourself to a moment of leisure and fun? Continuing the tour with our car, we arrive at the sixth stop. The Guido Catini Motocross Track in Ponzano di Fermo, which is 3,6 km from Capparuccia, km from Capparuccia, is the ideal destination for adrenaline and outdoor sports enthusiasts and is often chosen as a track on which to train by established champions in anticipation of competitions as well as hosting prestigious international competitions. The track, characterized by a covering of earth and sand, is particularly challenging and of medium difficulty.
Seventh stop: explore the historic centre of Torchiaro
For the next stage, to arrive at which it is necessary to use the car to drive along the Provinciale Torchianese N.167, we propose Torchiaro, located 7.6 km from the Motocross Track, which has been part of the Ponzano di Fermo territory since 1860. The inhabited center of Roman origin, located on the top of a hill, lies between the valleys of the Rio and Cosollo ditches and is surrounded by majestic walls, which guard the imposing castle.
If you visit the Parish Church of Saints Simon and Judas, you can admire precious marble columns and the pedestal of the ancient stoup. Other points of interest include the 14th-century gate, the ancient washhouse, the corner tower, and the majestic castle walls.
Our itinerary concludes in the late afternoon to enjoy the wonderful panorama of the rolling hills of this part of the Marche region. The itinerary through the evocative streets of Ponzano di Fermo and Torchiaro allows you to live an almost dreamlike experience in an area rich in art, history, and beauty.
