THE REGION
Montefortino is an Italian municipality in the Province of Fermo, in the region of Le Marche. Discover the picturesque town of Montefortino with its traditional stone and bricks houses, narrow streets and historic buildings and marvel at the spectacular vistas of the majestic Sibillini Mountains, one of the main mountain groups of the Italian Peninsula.
Apartment Audax Montefortino is just inside the ancient town walls of this traditional town with its narrow roads and houses of charming brickwork. It’s the perfect location from which to explore the medieval streets, most of them built in semicircles around common centre points.
Enter the historic quarter of Montefortino town via Porta Santa Lucia, an ancient brick arch built around the 14th century. Visit the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie, built in 1647 with three chapels, an octagonal dome and Baroque decoration. Nearby is the wonderful Chiesa di San Francesco, built using the materials of a demolished fortress, as is the Pinacoteca Fortunato Duranti, a celebrated art collection displayed in the magnificent 16th-century Palazzo Leopardi.
HISTORIC MONTEFORTINO TOWN
The Gorges of the Infernaccio
Formed by the Tenna river, the Infernaccio Gorges are among the most picturesque in the Marche’ Apennines. The so-called Pisciarelle are small teardrop falls near the entrance to the Infernaccio gorge and this leads to various hiking trails, including the Hidden Waterfall, the Source of the Tenna River and the Hermitage of San Leonardo.
Year-round activities
Hang-gliding, Para-gliding, Mountain biking, Trekking and hiking, Horseback riding, Snowshoeing, Cross country skiing, White-water rafting
The Sanctuary of the Madonna dell’Ambro
Considered the little Lourdes of the Sibillini Mountains, the Sanctuary is surrounded by scenic beauty some 683 meters above sea level and named after the Ambro creek a tributary of the Tenna river.
Amandola
A charming town whose medieval centre is contained by ancient walls, towers and gates. Visit the 14th century church of Sant’ Agostino and the Romanesque church of St Francesco, home to a 12th century wooden crucifx. On the penultimate Sunday of August, the “Procession of the Canestrelle” takes place in honor of the patron saint, Beato Antonio. The town plays host to an International Theatre festival every September and the prized white truffle is celebrated in November with the traditional “Diamanti on the table” festival.
Lake Pilato
At 1941m above sea level and near the summit of Mount Vettore, this beautiful alpine glacier lake is one of only a few found in the Apennines. Fed by a natural spring and only accessible on foot – it is a popular, although difficult, destination for hikers. Lake Pilato takes its name from a legend in which the body of Pontius Pilate was buried under the lake bed as punishment for his role in the passion of the Christ. When full, the lake assumes the shape of a pair of eyeglasses but when there is a lack of water it retreats into two smaller pools. For this reason it is nicknamed “the lake with glasses".
Lake Fiastra
Lake Fiastra is a reservoir created in 1955 that supplies both water and electricity to local communities. Swimming in the turquoise waters from spacious natural beaches with dramatic mountain views, there are adventure parks, wild flora and fauna, many varied hiking trails and the restaurants are superb. A short drive from brings you to the beautiful medieval villages of San Ginesio, Caldarola and the Spa town of Sarnano.
The Abbey of Fiastra
One of the most beautiful monastic complexes in Italy, the Chiaravalle di Fiastra Abbey is a gem of 12th-century architecture and located in the Chienti Valley, in the province of Macerata. In 1142, twelve Benedictine monks from the Abbey of Chiaravalle in Milan began building the beautiful complex (monastery, cloister and church of Santa Maria Annunziata); the construction went on for at least fifty years. Both the church and the monks’ living quarters were built according to the model designed by Bernard of Clairvaux: geometrical and mathematical elements, starting from the square, mark every single building; great simplicity and the absence of decoration dominate.
Year-round activities
Hang-gliding, Para-gliding, Mountain biking, Trekking and hiking, Horseback riding, Snowshoeing, Cross country skiing, White-water rafting
