[Territory]

Monterinaldo

To explain the origin of the name of this town we have to recur to a legendary tale: it says that three brothers, Pietro, Elpidio and Rinaldo have founded the castles of Monsampietro Morico, S. Elpidio Morico and Monte Rinaldo. This story is, probably, linked to the feudal dominion of the Francs and to the fact that the Patron Saint of Monte Rinaldo, St Leonardo, was a member of a noble Franc family, vassal of King Clodoveo. Another explanation, but not confirmed, attributes its foundation to a certain Rinaldo Morico, illegitimate son of Rinaldo di Monte Verde, lord of Fermo between 1376 and 1379. This could also be a consequence of an historical fact: in the surrounding zones there was the castle of Bucchiano which, between the 12th and 14th centuries, was of great importance and was a reason for argument between the towns of Montelparo and S. Vittoria. Its destruction in 1378, by order of the Governor of the Marca, is reported as a measure against Rinaldo di Monte Verde. Now some rests on the hilltop are still visible. It is possible to visit the archaeological area of “La Cuma” according to this timetable: - July/August 2003: 10.30-13.00 a.m. (every day Friday excluded) and 16.30-19.30 p.m. (from Thursday to Sunday) - from September 2003 to June 2004: 10.30-13.00 a.m. (every day).