ANCIENT VILLAGES

Province of Macerata
Inhabitants 1207
Altitude 608 m ASL
Surface 99,89 sq km
Distance
from Macerata 68 km
i
Town hall: Phone: +39 0737.95421
Tourist office: Phone: +39 0737.9239
Mountain Community
Phone: +39 0737.61751
Monti Sibillini National Park:
Phone: +39 0737.972711
www.comune.visso.mc.it
comune@visso.sinp.net
www.sibillini.net
WHERE TO STAY
HOTELS l
CAMPSITES
HOLIDAY VILLAGES
COUNTRY HOUSES
APARTMENT RENTALS l
ROOMS TO RENT l
FARM HOLIDAYS
BED & BREAKFAST l
CARAVAN SITES
YOUTH HOSTELS l
MOUNTAIN DEWS l
Even before the foundation of
Rome, the Vissano valley was inhabited
by Naharci, Sabine tribes
devoted to sheep-farming. In the
early Middle Ages the town and its
territory became part of the Longobard
Dukedom of Spoleto.
Thanks to its position, it was an
important centre of trade and markets;
it alternated free government
periods with phases of appropriation
by the Popedom, the Dukedom
of Spoleto and the Da Varano
family from Camerino. With the
proclamation of the Kingdom of
Italy in 1860, it was separated
from Umbria and passed to the
Marche till 1927; it came back to
Umbria for two years and from
1929 it became part of the Marche
region, finally.
WORTH VISITING
The Square of Martiri Vissani is
characterized by elegant fourteenth-sixteenth
century palaces.
The Collegiate Church of St.
Maria, dating from the 12 th -14 th
centuries, is embellished by a
wonderful facade and preserves
ancient frescoes, a wooden group
of the end of the 12 th century, precious
holy-water stoups and an important
Cross by Nicola Guardiagrele.
The Museum-Picture
Gallery, hosted in the deconsecrated
Church of St. Agostino (14 thcentury),
preserves paintings of
considerable interest, among
which we have to remember some
frescoes by Paolo da Visso and a
Madonna with Child, St. Margherita
and Angels by Orazio
Gentileschi. Worth visiting are the
Palace dei Priori of the 15 th century;
the Church of St. Francesco of
VISSO
the 14 th century and the Church of
the Monastery of St. Giacomo of
the 16 th century. 9 km away from
there, in a picturesque and isolated
position amid the Apennines pasturelands,
you can see the Sanctuary
of Macereto, a very interesting
building from the architectural
point of view, built in the first half
of the 16 th century.
SOMETHING MORE TO
DISCOVER
Visso is considered one of the 50
most beautiful villages in Italy:
this medieval small town is located
among mountains, gorges, woods
and rivers and it boasts noble
palaces and churches.
WORTH TASTING
Local specialities are: pecorino
and ricotta, salami, like the
renowned “ciauscolo”, honey, virgin
olive oil, lamb and mountain
mutton, the trout of the Nera River,
black truffle, lentils, potatoes,
mushrooms, cakes.
SOMETHING TO DO
The following sport facilities are
available: a swimming pool with
solarium, an indoor Bocce rink
centre, a soccer field, 2 tennis
courts and a skating rink.
WORTH DISCOVERING
Visso is located at the confluence
of the Ussita stream with the Nera
River, in a flat basin on the western
side of the Apennines; the territory
is included in the Camerino Mountain
Community (Comunità Montana
di Camerino) and hosts the
headquarters of the Sibillini Mountains
National Park. The park was
URBINO
PESARO
VISSO
ANCONA
MACERATA
FERMO
ASCOLI PICENO
established in 1993 and covers a
site of about 70,000 hectares. It is
the starting point for beautiful excursions
on foot, horseback or by
mountain bike. It’s possible to
book excursions with the park
guides.
DON’T MISS OUT
Festa del Patrono San Giovanni
Battista (Feast of the Patron Saint,
St. Giovanbni Battista) - 24 th June;
Torneo delle Guaite (Guaite Tournament)
- first week in August;
Sagra del “Ciauscolo” (Ciauscolo
Festival) - between July and August;
Mostra mercato nazionale
“Sibilla & Ovini” (National Trade
Show “Sibilla & Ovini”) - August;
Mercatino di antiquariato (Antiques
Market) - each Wednesday
of August); Sagra della “Pecora
alla callara” (Festival of “Sheep à
la Callara”) - week with the 15 th of
August; Sagra della lenticchia
(Lentils Festival) in Villa S. Antonio
- week with the 15 th of August;
Concorso di pittura (Painting
Contest) - August; Festa della
Madonna Bruna (Feast of the
Madonna Bruna) - 8 th September.
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