Marche Breaks

The first historical documents mention several meaningful Picenian settlements dating back to the 8th century B.C. There are also findings of late Roman age. The name of Montelparo is supposed to date back to the early middle ages, when a Longobard warrior named Elprando or Eliprando built a castle there. The ancient name was probably Monte Elprando changing then into Montelparo. The castle passed to the monks of the Farfa abbey and was strengthened and widened.

On the hill they built the church devoted to Saint Michael the Archangel with the added monastery (in the 11th century). During the 13th century Montelparo became a free commune with its own constitution.

It had its own hospital, pawn shop, coin shop and wheat shop. It was a Guelph territory and therefore had many important privileges and indulgences bestowed by different popes. Sixtus V took all the privileges away by creating the Diocese of Montalto Marche.

With its well equipped position Montelparo guaranteed both inner and outer security, so, during the 13th-14th century, a lot of families from the neighbouring areas got the right to live there permanently raising its population up to 5000 inhabitants. Montelparo had three cenobite communities: a Benedictine monastery, an Augustinian monastery and the Third Order of St Francis dating back to 1259. The 18th century earthquakes destroyed or devastated at least 75% of the urban settlement. The present old centre clearly shows the gradual development of Montelparo:

1st wall circle (7th-11th century)

2nd wall circle (12th-14th century)

3rd wall circle (15th-18th century)

The town planning structure of the old centre is of a remarkable value:

Three wall circles with four gates repeated three times with concentric big blocks show the expansion from the 7th to the 18th century.

Among the 25 churches and three monasteries remaining, those worthy of attention are:

The monastery of Sant’Agostino (Cantinone) started in 1686 with the added church (1730) in which we find the remarkable walnut choir and an organ;

The Palazzo Communale (18th century) preserving a valuable collection of parchments;

The church of San Gregorio Magno (1615): inside a painting of Our Lady with her Child and Saints of the Old Church of Santa Maria Novella is preserved;

The Gothic church of San Michele Arcangelo (13th century) showing the visitors three exceptional portals: one is Gothic, the other two are of the Renaissance; its interior is full of frescoes from the 1500’s, such as The Crucifixion, The Pieta and The Holy Father (1527);

The churches of Sant’Antonio da Padova (15th century), Santa Maria Novella (13th century), Santa Maria in Camurano (1549), San Pietro (1286);

And furthermore the Torre Civica (town tower, 1400), the Porta del Sole (Sun Gate, 1300), the Wheat Shop (1511) and the Palazzo Petrocchini, a house with an interesting Gothic terracotta portal.

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