Montelupone

What to know

Set on a hill between the valleys of the Potenza and the Musone, in the heart of the Macerata area, Montelupone is an elegant medieval village that preserves intact its fourteenth-century walls with towers and access gates, witnesses of a long defensive past. Of ancient origin, it developed in the Middle Ages as a castle and free commune, organising itself around the central square, the fulcrum of civic life and trade. Linked for centuries to the affairs of the Papal States, the village guards a harmonious and well-preserved historic centre, dominated by the Palazzo del Podestà and the civic tower, which stand out on the profile of the hill. The walls, the stone alleys and the noble palazzi recount a past of civic and cultural prestige, made of institutions, confraternities and illustrious families. Awarded the Orange Flag of the Touring Club and recognised among the most beautiful villages, Montelupone is today a quiet hilltop centre immersed in a landscape of cultivated fields, gentle hills and scattered farmhouses, also famous for the prized local artichoke, cultivated for generations in the surrounding gardens. Appreciated for the elegance of its historic centre, for its theatre and for the genuine hospitality of its traditions, the village offers the visitor the intimate and authentic atmosphere of the Marche hinterland, where historical memory coexists with the slow rhythm of the countryside and with the festivals that mark its year. From the belvederes the gaze ranges over the cultivated hills as far as the profile of the Sibillini and, on clear days, to the line of the Adriatic.

What to see

The heart of the village is the Piazza del Comune, onto which face the scenographic Palazzo del Podestà with its tower and loggia, and the town hall, in a harmonious ensemble of medieval forms and exposed brick. An unexpected jewel is the Teatro Nicola degli Angeli, an elegant nineteenth-century Italian-style theatre, a little treasure chest of velvets, boxes and decorations that surprises the visitor. Worth seeing are the castle walls with their gates and towers, partly walkable along the perimeter of the hill, the Collegiata dei Santi Firmano and the other churches rich in sacred art, with paintings, altars and stuccoes, together with the civic museums that recount the history and traditions of the community. Strolling among the alleys one encounters picturesque glimpses, hidden courtyards, stone portals and panoramas that range over the hills towards the Sibillini and the sea, in a continuous alternation of lights and colours. The village, orderly and silent, lends itself to unhurried walks, among craft workshops, flowered corners and sudden views over the countryside. In the surroundings open up itineraries among the walled villages of the Macerata area and towards the coast of Porto Recanati and the Conero, amid orderly countryside, rows of vines and ancient farmhouses. The care of the historic centre, well-kept and flowered, the cultural events and the costumed re-enactments, which bring ancient trades and customs back to life, make Montelupone an ideal destination for those seeking art, tranquillity and authenticity in the Marche hinterland, far from the great tourist flows.

What to eat

The cuisine of Montelupone boasts a product of excellence: the artichoke of Montelupone, a bastion of local tradition, the protagonist of tasty recipes that enhance its delicate flavour, from the golden fried version to stuffed pastas, from side dishes to stewed dishes. Cultivated in the gardens of the village, it is celebrated every year with a festival that renews its bond with the community. Tender and flavoursome, it also goes into frittatas, savoury pies and preserves in oil that prolong the pleasure well beyond the harvest season. Alongside it, the table offers the great Macerata classics: the vincisgrassi, sumptuous lasagne with ragù, the tagliatelle, the cappelletti in broth and the passatelli, hand-rolled according to ancient recipes. Among the second courses are roast meats, coniglio in porchetta scented with herbs and local cured meats, first and foremost the spreadable ciauscolo, accompanied by sheep's cheeses and field vegetables. Giving character to the dishes are the wines of the Colli Maceratesi and Rosso Piceno, produced in the surrounding hills. Among the sweets one enjoys tarts, ciambelloni and the biscuits of country tradition, often tied to the festivals. The fairs, in particular the one dedicated to the artichoke, animate the village and offer the chance to savour these typical products in a convivial atmosphere, among the trattorias of the centre and the farmhouse inns of the surrounding hills, where genuine hospitality and authentic flavours recount the deep bond of this land with its countryside.