ANCIENT VILLAGES

Province of Ancona
Inhabitants 1926
Altitude 199 m ASL
Surface 19,12sq km
Distance
from Ancona 29 km
i
Town hall:
Phone: +39 0731.63013
+39 0731.63000
www.comune.morrodalba.an.it
comune@comune.
morrodalba.an.it
WHERE TO STAY
HOTELS l
CAMPSITES
HOLIDAY VILLAGES
COUNTRY HOUSES l
APARTMENT RENTALS l
ROOMS TO RENT
FARM HOLIDAYS
BED & BREAKFAST
CARAVAN SITES l
YOUTH HOSTELS
MOUNTAIN DEWS
The ruins of two Roman villas
found in the hamlet Sant’Amico
prove that Morro d’Alba was already
inhabited during the Roman
time. In 1984 in the same
area was found a golden medallion
with the inscription Theodoricus
pius princeps invictus
semper (today displayed in the
Museo delle Terme in Rome);
the origin of the settlement can
be actually traced back to 1000,
when the village is mentioned as
curtis in an imperial decree issued
by Fredrerick I. In 1213
was indicated as castrum in an
other announcement, stating the
commitment of Senigallia to
transfer Morro d’Alba to Jesi.
Over the centuries we can find
records of several sieges and incursions,
including one dated in
1365, that caused the destruction
of the town walls, that had
to be re-built. Morro d’Alba was
transferred to the Malatesta
family from Rimini and was victim
of plunderers from Ancona
and, later on, of Francesco
Maria Della Rovere. In 1808 under
Napoleon’s rule it was taken
away from Jesi and in 1860 it
was transferred to the province
of Ancona. The name reminds
the mora o cippo di confine sull’alba
(border marker on the
hill), marking the distinction between
the medieval boards of
Jesi and Senigallia. In 1861 Alba
was added to the name Morro.
WORTH VISITING
The small historic centre preserves
a very interesting archi-
MORRO D’ALBA
tectural structure, as it is completely
surrounded by overhanging
ring walls, dating from
the middle of the 15 th century.
The top of the high sheer walls
houses elegant dwellings; underneath,
winds the so called
Strada della Scarpa, a completely
covered parapet walkway,
whose sections are delimited
by five bastions, amazing
panoramic view points.
The Church of St. Gaudenzio
and St. Benedetto contain two
paintings by Ercole Ramazzani
from Arcevia; worth a mention
is also the tavola centinata
(painting with rounded top) by
Claudio Ridolfi representing a
Crowning of Virgin and Saints,
housed in the Town Hall. The
Utensilia Museum cannot be
missed. The Church of the SS.
Annunziata of 1670, known as
Church of St. Teleucania has
been recently transformed into
an Auditorium, used to hold
conferences, exhibitions and
concerts.
SOMETHING MORE TO
DISCOVER
Underneath the village you can
find a parallel underground
town, composed by a labyrinth
of caves dug in the cellars over
the centuries.
WORTH TASTING
The main typical product is the
rubin-coloured red wine Lacrima
di Morro d’Alba, endowed
with Registered Designation of
Origin. The excellent olive oil
URBINO
PESARO
ANCONA
MORRO D’ALBA
MACERATA
FERMO
ASCOLI PICENO
“verdastro” (greenish) is produced
in very small quantity by
little local oil mills.
SOMETHING TO DO
The territory offers opportunities
for walking, biking and
horse trekking tours. Soccer
fields, tennis courts and boules
(It. Bocce) rinks, as well as play
grounds for children will let
you enjoy your stay. An
equipped Camper parking area
is also available.
WORTH DISCOVERING
In the hamlet Sant’Amico is the
old residence of the family
Marotti Campi, standing amid
vineyards. Among the ruraltouristic
routes the Via del Sole
is particularly enjoyable: it includes
two interesting mountain-bike
tracks and a horse
trekking itinerary.
DON’T MISS OUT
Raduno Nazionale dei Camper
d’epoca (National vintage
camper rally), the sole event in
Italy - spring time; Sagra della
Lacrima (Lacrima Festival) -
first week end of May; Cantamaggio
- third Sunday in May;
In colors - July; Calici di stelle
(Star glasses) - second half of
August; Festa del Patrono San
Michele Arcangelo (Feast of
the Patron Saint, St. Michele
Arcangelo) - 29 th September.
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