AROUND
Montefortino
The city is built on an hill side, inside the wonderful Sibillini National Parc, Montefortino (700 m above sea level.) rise in front of Priora Mountain, that overwhelm it. Flavio Biondi da Forlì (1392 – 1463) historic and humanist called it “The noble Piceno’s land”. The city was built by the Roman, evidence of that was present in the old stronghold, we knew it from a tomb stone. This land was invaded both by Goths and Longobards: Lobgobards gave to Ambro Sanctuary several land, they also build St. Michael church, really important for them. Nowadays patron saint of Montefortino. Montefortino, yet in 1084, was and independent common during middle age. As such it was involved in fight against the local common.
Umbert I Place it an important point of view of the Sibillini Landscape..
Amongst the several moment you can find: St. Andrew Church , built in the VI century, St. Michael church, with his neoclassical structure, St. Augustine church built during the XIII sec., St. Francis church built during XV sec and Mother Mary of the source, built during the XV sec.
THE LITTLE LOUVRE IN THE SIBILLINI NATIONAL PARK
FORTUNATO DURANTI’S GALLERY
Inside the city wall you can see Leopardi Palace, built by a relative of the famous Poet, Giacomo Leopardi, inside the building you can visit Fortunato Duranti’s Pinacoteca. Fortunato Duranti born nearby. Amongst his table you may find an Alemanno’s olyptych, lived during XV sec, then you can also find a painting by Pier Francesco Fiorentino, also lived during XV century, representing Mather Mary with Baby Jesus, and the archangel Michael and Raffael. In the same palace you will also able to see an exibition regarding Sibillini’s fauna. On the top flor you can see and exibition of sacred art.
An other Alemanno’s painting was found during Montefortino’s pharmacy restauration, also included in Fortunato Duranti’s gallery.
SANTUARIO DELLA MADONNA DELL’AMBRO
The “Santuario della Madonna dell’Ambro”, called “Little Lourds of Sibillini Mountain”, second sanctuary, for its importance, in the region, after Loreto’s Santuary. It is located in the hearth of the park, close to Ambro river. The legend talk about a little mute shepherd, she used to put flowers in a tree hole, in that place she assist to Mather Mary appearance, after that she had her word back because of her floral gift. The church has been painted by Martino Bonfini, subject of the painting are the Sibille.
S. ANGELO IN MONTESPINO
Roman Church of Sant’Angelo in Montespino, is located 800 meter above sea level. The building maintain its original structure, harmony and proportion. The structure has been built with mixed material as: brick, sandstone and limestone, it is rectangular shaped, with opposite apsis, as roman civil basilica. Legend told about eighteen column, each dedicated to a hilliness, people affected by those hill used to rub their back against the specific column, and then they assist to the ceremony, asking for healing.