Marche Breaks

The profound enchantment of this hamlet appears intact, not so different from the one that existed in the 11th century. Force in that period was a part of farfensi possessions, like most of the nearby places. The ancient belfry is there, and seems to remind visitors of centuries of history, of Felice Orsini, who took shelter there in 1849. The village also reminds of the decay of the old church San Francesco that flanked the belfry, the church was rebuilt in 1882 according to Giuseppe Sacconi’s ambitious design.

From the upper part of piazza Vittorio Emanuele II a wide scenario of the Mounts Sibillini, surrounds and gives a dreamlike aspect to the 18th-century brickwork of the Town Hall and its beautiful Civic Tower. Other wonderful examples are the elegant Priorate, with slender 16th-century arcades and the 17th-century San Paolo Collegiate church, which preserves a Romanesque apse in its beautiful structure.

Inside the Collegiate church visitors may admire precious artistic works, such as 15th-century frescoes, a moving wooden polychrome Crucifix dating back to the 16th century, and five tablets painted by Simone De Magistris.

Force probably owes its name to its being situated as a fork between the valleys of Tesino, Aso and Tronto rivers, it has jealously preserved the precious and ancient art of forging and embossing of copper tools. The Farfensi monks probably handed down this art. If you happen to talk to the craftsmen in this village you don’t have to be surprised; over time they have been developing a very peculiar jargon, which is currently being studied by many researchers.