Enjoy the traditions of village life in Montemonaco, a cluster of quaint stone houses nestled on the side of a wooded mountain. Explore the fortified medieval streetscapes, and the beautiful landscape of Le Marche, an area rich in history and away from the tourist track.
Navigate your way around the village using a series of ancient bridges and narrow alleys. Visit Montemonaco’s many stone churches, such as the rugged San Lorenzo with its small crypt attached, Santa Maria in Casalicchio with its gorgeous frescoes or the fascinating and secluded Church of St. George Island that offers views across the river Aso.
In winter, pristine snow lies thick on the roofs and on the mountain peaks beyond. Walk to the Montiguarnieri Park for a stunning outlook on the Sibillini Mountains and towards the faraway Adriatic Sea. Rent ski equipment or bring your own to experience the excellent slopes in the surrounding mountains.
Take a car and explore the hinterland of Montemonaco. Picturesque daytrips include the rich natural wonder of the Mount Sibilla and the Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini. Here you’ll find more than 173,000 acres (70,000 hectares) of dramatic landscapes and a huge network of hiking trails. Make sure you take in the magnificent dell’Infernaccio gorges, a highlight of the park.
Put on your hiking boots for an adventurous trek that ends with a striking view of the mysterious Lago di Pilato (Lake Pilate), a deep turquoise pool at the bottom of a rocky valley. It has held special significance for inhabitants of the area for many centuries.
The residents of Montemonaco have a proud tradition of roasting chestnuts, which grow wild in the lush trees surrounding the village. Taste traditional desserts and savory dishes featuring this beloved ingredient. Every year in October the village celebrates the nut with a chestnut festival.
The beauty of Montemonaco comes from its seclusion from metropolitan Italy. It is best reached by bus or by car as there is no train station in the town. To experience the rhythms of rural life, stay in a traditional farmhouse, of which there are many examples in the surrounding fields.
