Montemonaco

MONTEMONACO
The mountain of the Benedictines

Mons Daemoniacus: According to local legend, this was the ancient name of the town, due to the practice of pagan religions linked to the Sibyl cave and Lake Pilato. Then, in the late Middle Ages, the Benedictine monks reached this settlement perched 980 metres high, right beside Sibyl’s Mountain. The monks gave a strong boost to the area’s productivity and organization. This is how the settlers, to whom the lands were entrusted by the monks for cultivation, formed the first inhabited centres. In this way, at the end of the 10th century, Montemonaco grew to be a small town. In the years to come, under the spiritual and moral guidance of the monks, it became an important centre of the mountain region. MORE DETAILES

TO VISIT You can enjoy the view from the panoramic terrace in piazza Roma (1), and then continue to the Town Hall with its 14th century civic tower (2) Moving on, you will come to the St Biagio (15th century) and St Benedict Abate (13th century) (3). Inside the latter is a polychrome wooden crucifix from the late 15th century, a fresco of the Crivelli school depicting the crucifixion of Christ between the Virgin and St Lucy, and the relics of the 16th century of the arm of St Benedict. Walking through the public gardens (4) you can see the ruins of the castle walls (5) punctuated by three tall towers and a stunning view of Mount Vettore and Sibyl’s Mountain (6). ). Moving on, you will come to the gate of St Biagio (7). Beyond it is the Monteguarnieri Park (8), after which you will reach Parco Monteguarnieri (8). Proseguendo si arriva in piazza Risorgimento (9).
A stroll through the streets of the village will take you to the ruined gate of St Laurence (10). in the perimeter walls. The beautiful villa Curi (11), houses the Sibyl Cave Museum.