From Servigliano to Massa Fermana, travel with us among the most beautiful castles of Fermo's province in the charming landscapes of Marche region
In the evocative landscapes of Marche region, between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines mountains, the province of Fermo is pointed by tens of medieval castles which designed and still design the shape of the entire area. With their history coming straight from the Middle Age, when the Italian peninsula was divided in small political entities that gave birth to the age of communes, the castles of Fermo's province represent an incredible example of medieval and renaissance architecture and some of them can still be visited during a trip across the Marche region.
From Servigliano to Massa Fermana, our tour among the beautiful castles of Fermo's province
The province of Fermo has a long history that is lost in the midst of time, indeed after the fall of the Roman Empire, Fermo and its territories became part of the Papal States until Italy's unification in 1861. During the Middle Age, the small villages and towns, fallen under the control of Fermo's jurisdiction, built their own fortifications to protect the territory against possible invaders, creating an incredible route of tens and tens of castles on the hills of this part of Marche region. Some of these beautiful castles have been preserved and are open to the public along with the other wonderful attractions offered by the province of Fermo. From Servigliano, known as the ideal city with two names, until Massa Fermana with its stunning castle declared national monument, crossing Monsapientro Morico, Montegiorgio and Grottazzolina, discover with us the most beautiful castles of Fermo's province.
First Stop: Servigliano, the ideal city of Pope Clement XIV
Our tour among the most beautiful castles of Fermo's province starts from Servigliano, the ideal city of the XVIIIth century known for its quadrilateral walls and for its Palio - a knightly tournament which annually celebrates the historical event occurred in 1450, when the Abbot of Farfa gave in the plain of Saint Walter (San Gualtiero) to the municipality of Servigliano. In the XVIIIth century, this small village collapsed and it was rebuilt with a perfectly squared city center by the Papal State in a flat territory close to the original position. Moreover, in order to thank the authorities, it turned its name in Castel Clementino (literally the castle of Clement) for more than 200 years.
Strolling through the quadrilateral walls, crossing one of the monumental three gateways and visiting the beautiful Saint Mark church is the best way to start our tour to the discovery of this hidden part of center Italy, whose landscape is characterized by these beautiful medieval and renaissance castles.
Second stop: Monsampietro Morico and its polygonal tower
Leaving on the back Servigliano and going through the Provincial Roads 45 and 53, which pass through the iconic hills of the famous Italian landscape, in 10-15 minutes you will arrive in Monsampietro Morico, our second step, a tiny hidden village that, with its medieval castle perfectly preserved, deserves a visit. Monsampietro Morico, that is part of the Fermo province, has a beautiful Romanesque church dedicated to Saint Paul and, overall, a castle with crenelated walls built in the XIth century and expanded in the XVth century after a great renovation. The fortress has a particular polygonal tower made in stones with perfectly squared ashlars and in the past it was used as a protection for the Romanesque gateways that functioned as the main entrance to Monsampietro Morico.
Third stop: Grottazzolina and the Azzolino castle
By travelling again the Provincial Road 45 and driving for about 10 kilometers, you will arrive to Grottazzolina, one of the most beautiful and well preserved castles of Fermo's province. Built in the Xth century as a castle, it was fortified during the Middle Age after suffering several sackings; the city center has not changed through the centuries and its original shape has remained intact since then. The main attraction of Grottazzolina is the Azzolino castle, symbol of this charming village that among its treasures also include wonderful religious medieval architectures such as the church of Saint John the Baptist and the beautiful church of the Blessed Sacrament and Rosary, which has inside wonderful frescoes in addition to a valuable organ.
Fourth stop: Alteta the castle of Montegiorgio village
To arrive at our fourth step, you will have to drive for 15 minutes from Grottazzolina, through the Provincial Road 40, until the Alteta castle which stands out surrounded by the charming landscape with the beautiful hills of Marche region. Alteta is a hamlet of Montegiorgio village, one of the most characteristic towns of Fermo's province, and its castle is a remarkable example of medieval fortification. At the center of this site lies a polygonal castle with the court and the main buildings - the town hall, the church of Saint Zeno and the palace of Tiracorda - located in a horseshoe shape. The city walls of Alteta castle, built up to a hill, follow the shape of the plateau.
Fifth stop: Massafermana national monument of Marche region
The last step of our itinerary among the castles in Fermo's province is Massa Fermana, reachable from Montegiorgio by driving through the Provincial Road 37 for about 20 minutes. Massa Fermana is a small hidden village but its city center, pointed of beautiful medieval buildings, deserves a visit. The main gateway - Porta Sant'Antonio, the ancient entry of the town - is a wonderful example of medieval architecture with its arcades and lookouts points. The most important church of Massa Fermana is dedicated to the Saintes Lorenzo and Silvestro and it hosts Carlo Crivelli's first artwork in the Marche region. Do not forget to pay a visit also to the beautiful medieval Brunforte castle which is still inhabited.
Our suggestions for a tour among the castles of Fermo's province
Our itinerary through the afore mentioned castles of Fermo's province, which crossed all the municipality like a circle, is only one of the possible itinerary combinations: indeed, there are more than 40 fortifications and castles in the area between the Adriatic sea and the Sibillini mountains, therefore it is up to you to choose the steps of your vacation in the Marche region. In addition, this itinerary was conceived to be done by car: although the best way to discover the castles of Fermo's province is by car, it is also possible using the regional public transports but the travel times takes much longer.
