[Territory]

Monsampietro Morico

It is placed on a pleasant hill, on the right bank of the river Ete Vivo, in the south-west of the city of Fermo, at 289 m above sea level. According to the tradition, in 1061 Malugero Melo, son of Drogone da Altavilla, Norman Earl of the Apulia, founded the castles of Monsampietro and Sant’Elpidio Morico, today respectively chief town and village belonging to the same municipality. The first official documents about these castles date back to 1316, when they went under the jurisdiction of the city of Fermo, until the period of Napoleon. In 1899, after several vicissitudes, the two castles were united into a single municipal town called Monsampietro Morico. Some findings of Piceno origin, which date back to the 3rd century b, C., have been recently discovered. It is believed they relate to a military settlement, or with controlling functions, considering also the fact that the municipal territory was traversed by a Roman road which linked Novara to Falerio Picenus. The historical town centre of the chief town is characterised by 18th century palaces, by the imposing castle, recently restored, and by suggestive streets which lead to Mugello Melo square, on which stands the 17th century Parish Church of St Pietro and St Antonio, rich of paintings, splendid reliquaries and a “Giulietti” organ of the 18th century, restored and now perfectly functioning. In the Town Hall are housed some paintings among which a tryptich by unknown author, but attributed to Carlo Crivelli by some experts. In the cemetery is placed the 11th century Romanesque Church of St Paolo, built on the ruins of the Roman temple dedicated to Janus. The town of Sant’Elpidio Morico features a monumental Church of St Michele Archangel (1699), which houses a tryptich with lunette by Vittore Crivelli, portraying a Modonna with Child and Saints (1496) and a Madonna with Child in alabaster, probably of the Pisano art school. The church is placed outside the ancient town, which is surrounded by almost intact walls, with four entrance gates, two of which are still visible.