Discover Ostra Vetere: Churches, Monastery and Earthen Architecture

Ostra Vetere combines a medieval-style historic center with a dense succession of sacred and historic sites. In the historic center, Palazzo Marulli stands within the ancient medieval walls. It houses a museum, an antiquarium, a library and an archive. As a result, it is an important center of historical, artistic and popular identity and culture for the local community and visitors.

Churches and historic buildings in the town center

Santa Maria della Piazza is the main church in Ostra Vetere’s historic center in terms of size and visual impact. It was formerly the seat of a Benedictine abbey. The church was founded in 1444 and was subsequently completely rebuilt twice. The Chiostro di San Francesco also dates from the 15th century. Porta IV agosto is one of the three entrances to the medieval center.

Other sacred buildings add further depth to this picture. The Chiesa di S. Lucia is richly decorated with valuable Baroque decorations. The Chiesa del SS. Crocifisso was built in the 16th century, incorporating an existing wayside shrine. Behind the main altar in the Chiesa di S. Croce is a Crucifixion with Saints by Claudio Ridolfi, who is known by the nickname "il Veronese". The different periods and furnishings give each church its own historical focus.

Monastery, museum and regional building culture

The Polo Museale Terra di Montenovo is located in the former Santa Lucia Monastery. From the late Middle Ages until the 19th century, this monastery housed the Poor Clares. Thus, Ostra Vetere’s local history focuses not only on individual churches, but also on a former religious building complex and its historic use.

A particular highlight is the Casa di Terra in Ostra Vetere. It was the first public initiative in the Marche region to preserve a building made of earth. At the same time, it is one of the few surviving original rural homes in the Marche region built entirely from earth and straw and preserved in very good condition. Material culture also includes a pair of polychrome terracotta tiles depicting the Nativity and the Lamentation. They are considered a rare and valuable example of late-15th-century maiolica.

Archaeological surroundings and local cuisine

The archaeological site of Le Muracce lies near Ostra Vetere on the left bank of the Misa. It comprises the remains of the Roman city of Ostra and broadens the historical perspective beyond the medieval center to include the area’s Roman past.

An announced event also connects local history with regional food culture: Montenovo in Festa 2026 was announced for August 29 and 30, 2026, at Piazza della Libertà in Ostra Vetere. The festival was presented as the "Festival delle Cantine del Borgo" and as an opportunity to rediscover the aromas and flavors of typical cuisine from the Marche region. For your travel planning, this date should therefore be classified as an announced event with a clear connection to regional products and local flavors.

Other places in the same region

Camerata Picena, Staffolo, Castelferretti, Cancelli, Arcevia, Marcelli, Cerreto D'esi and Candia.

For the broader travel overview: Ancona.