Marche Breaks

The castle in the Low Middle Ages passed under the rule of the farfa and then under the province of Ascoli and finally under the diocese of Montalto Marche. It is situated on a hill between the Tesino valley and the head of the Chifente torrent in a landscape designed by erosion and gullies.

The old centre with its Romanesque churches and medieval and Renaissance buildings is the counterpoint of the new urban structure which has developed along the provincial road. Castignano boasts many Renaissance houses and buildings. At its highest point stands the church of SS. Pietro and Paolo whose origins go back to the XI century.

Next to the church is an important bell tower, inside the church are recently restored frescoes attributed to Apollonio of Ripatransone. The Addolorata Crypt is decorated with important frescoes attributed to Vittore Crivelli and Vincenzo Pagani.

The church of Santa Maria del Borgo is also very suggestive. Leaving the historic centre one can visit the parish church of Sant’ Egidio in neoclassic style with its tower dated 1731; inside is an artistic wooden font, a canvas by Simone de Magistris “Madonna del Rosario” e “L’Annunciazione” a masterpiece by Giuseppe Ghezzi. Within the artistic shrine, attributed to Pietro Vannini is the holy relic of the Cross given by Niccolò IV.

In the hamlet of Ripaberarda one can see the ruins of XV and XVI century walls and houses as well as an impressive bell tower in Romanesque-Renaissance style dating back to 1518.

Gullies and eroded crevices caused by superficial and meteoric waters which offer a particularly suggestive panorama, are a peculiarity of the landscape of Castignano.

The vegetation is typical of the Mediterranean area; the fauna is made up mainly of foxes, badgers, pheasants and thrushes.