The Tower of Odorisio: the symbol of Santa Vittoria in Matenano

The Tower of Odorisio in Santa Vittoria in Matenano is located in a central place of the small town in the Fermano province. Here it is strategically located in the western area, between Piazza della Repubblica and the beginning of Corso Matteotti, the main artery, next to the Teatro del Leone.

It was erected between 1235 and 1238 for defensive purposes, in sandstone and bricks. Rising 27 meters high, the tower features the classic crenellated battlements, from which sentinels monitored the territory and alerted in case of suspicious sightings, but thanks to which they could also protect themselves from arrows and other weapons. Along the building, numerous loopholes and trapdoors permitted the firing of arrows, stones or even boiling oil at enemies. The west side of the tower also contained bombards and a blunderbuss, which functioned to disperse gunpowder fumes and allow snipers to take aim without exposing themselves and risking injury.

Abbot Odorisio was such an important figure for Santa Vittoria in Matenano that he was elected Podestà of the municipality in the 13th century. In his person, ideally, we could glimpse on the one hand the great influence of the Farfensi monks, who had settled in Santa Vittoria a few centuries back to make the community that would grow up around it flourish; on the other hand the authority and credibility of a political and institutional nature that his office gave him. Odorisio was a firm, resolute man who had both Our Lord and the state on his side, which could only play a first-rate role.

Odorisio contributed to the improvement of the urban structure of Santa Vittoria and ordered the erection of a wall that would make this hill town even more inaccessible to outside attacks. The culmination of the walls was precisely the urban tower, which soon assumed the name of its creator as a tribute to him.

Many alterations were made to the tower over the following centuries, due to earthquakes and exposure to the elements, without losing its defensive efficacy. Over time, however, it gradually lost this function, thanks to the coming of periods of peace, and ended up becoming an icon for prestige for later dominations, such as the Malatesta, the Sforza and later the Aragonese.

Nowadays the Tower of Odorisio, of course, is no longer used for sightings but has taken on a totally symbolic importance. With its reddish brick structure, it is the icon of S. Vittorean urban life, an immortal representative vessel, but also a gateway to the elegant historic center, which has also preserved its original medieval structure despite numerous earthquakes. It presents an opening that has been enlarged over time to admit the car traffic, but it has preserved its Gothic form, thus an ogival arch, and a terracotta frame at the top of which the remains of an ancient emblem can be glimpsed.

Going up to the top we can admire the clock and bell tower that, as mentioned, direct the simple and quiet life of the citizens of Santa Vittoria. Furthermore, in 2026, thanks to the arrival of consistent funds, an observation point with a telescope will be installed there, so that anyone who climbs to its summit will be able to surprise themselves under the sky of Le Marche.

And to further emphasize the value of the structure and its portal, let us recall the Festival of the Sun, one of the events of the year in the village. For the past ten years or so, Santa Vittoria in Matenano has been celebrating a truly interesting phenomenon, which wants the sun to set exactly inside the opening of the tower on the first days of August, presenting surprising light effects: a fascinating spectacle that unites the citizens and enchants the tourists who, increasingly numerous, come to witness this magic.