Montone: Medieval Walls and Sacred Art

Montone Between Fortified Walls and Belvedere

Montone combines a medieval military history with remarkable sacred art. Only three towers of the medieval fortifications remain today. At the same time, Montone is known for its belvedere. Those interested in smaller Italian towns with a clearly recognizable historical character will find various points of interest here: remnants of walls, towers, churches and a stone tomb each tell their own part of the town's history.

Medieval Towers and Walls

The medieval fortifications of Montone were raised around 1390. The largest surviving tower stands in the highest part of the town behind the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate.

Santa Maria Assunta: Construction History and Paintings

The Church of Santa Maria Assunta is first mentioned in documents dating from 1575. Construction of the present church began in 1914 under the parish priest at the time, Don Gaetano Cardelli, based on a design by the artist Francesco Patella, who came from Mosciano. The present church was inaugurated in May 1934. It is built entirely of brick masonry and has a distinctive façade: a pointed-arch portal is flanked on each side by two additional pointed-arch arcades.

Inside, Santa Maria Assunta also preserves old, elaborately executed paintings. These include the Annunciation, the Madonna del Carmine, the Last Supper and the Madonna del Rosario. This creates a cultural focus for you that combines architecture, construction history and religious art. The different periods in which the church and its furnishings were created provide several historical points of reference during a visit.

Sant'Antonio Abate and the Sarcophagus

The Church of Sant'Antonio Abate was restored in the Baroque style at the beginning of the 19th century. It was presumably initially attached to a monastery run by Benedictines or Antonine monks, and later by celibates. After the Church of San Jacopo fuori le Mura was abandoned for this purpose and converted into a cemetery, the sarcophagus was transferred to the Church of Sant'Antonio.

The sarcophagus of Bucciarello di Jacopo di Bartolomeo is a Gothic work of art made of stone, dating from 1390. Around 1390, Bucciarello Jacopo di Bartolomeo commissioned a stone tomb, apparently for himself or his wife. It is precisely the combination of material, style, date and uncertain personal purpose that makes this unique piece an independent gateway to Montone's history.

Getting There and an Announced Festival

Montone can be reached by car via the A14. The exits Teramo, Giulianova and Mosciano Sant’Angelo are relevant for reaching the town. The Strada Provinciale 262 DIR and the Strada Provinciale 15A then continue in the direction of Giulianova and Mosciano Sant’Angelo. For your planning, the specific road connection therefore remains an important part of choosing the town.

The Festa dei Santi Giacomo e Anna was announced in Montone for 25 and 26 July. The date is therefore one of the cultural occasions you can take into account when planning a trip, provided this festival is relevant to your stay. Montone can thus be explored through both its architectural and artistic history and an announced local event.

More Destinations for Your Trip Planning

If you would like to combine Montone with other places in the same travel destination, you can then include Canzano, Roseto Degli Abruzzi, Tortoreto, Colleranesco, Villa Vomano, Cerchiara, Cologna Spiaggia and Isola del Gran Sasso D'italia in your further selection.

To the higher-level travel overview: Teramo.