Balzo: Historical Traces and Paths into Nature

Balzo combines a local history dating back to the end of the 15th century with buildings from several centuries and a path that leads from the Chiesa di San Bernardino via a viewpoint to the Pineta Taliani. The townscape also includes visible ruins of an older settlement and the CEA Montegallo in Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini.

Local History and Historic Buildings

Balzo was established towards the end of the 15th century, after the population moved from a settlement on the mountain above. The earlier settlement was located above the present-day town; its ruins are still visible. The move relocated the population from the higher settlement to Balzo’s present location.

Dated Buildings in the Town

La Rotonda is a building with a circular floor plan in Balzo and dates from 1883. In Balzo, Palazzo Taliani adjoins the town hall and dates from 1834. At La Rotonda, the circular ground plan defines the building, while Palazzo Taliani is characterized by its direct connection to the town hall. Palazzo Taliani is therefore older than La Rotonda, while the two buildings display different architectural features.

The seventeenth-century Palazzetto Branconi houses the CEA Montegallo. Built in 1640, the building bears the carved inscription “Invidia Dio e non compassione” on the lintel of its entrance.

Church and Path to the Pineta Taliani

The Chiesa di San Bernardino in Balzo is a Romanesque church from the 17th century. Construction began between 1639 and 1640. The start of construction therefore falls in the same period as the construction of the Palazzetto Branconi in 1640.

From the Chiesa di San Bernardino, a path first leads to a viewpoint and then descends to the Pineta Taliani. The Pineta Taliani is not the starting point, but the destination of the subsequent section of the path.

National Park and Visitor Information

The CEA Montegallo is located in Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini.

The Montegallo Info Point is located in a temporary facility in the multifunctional centre of the Balzo district. It provides visitors with information about trekking and hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The Info Point therefore includes guidance for routes on foot as well as for mountain biking and horseback riding. This means that walking, mountain biking and horseback riding represent three different forms of mobility within the Info Point’s thematic scope.

Memorial

The memorial to those who fell in the First World War in Balzo is also made of bronze and marble. The memorial combines these two materials at a specific location in Balzo.

Other Places for Orientation

Other places in the wider destination area include Rotella, Montalto delle Marche, Centobuchi, Roccafluvione, Venarotta, Montemonaco, San Benedetto Del Tronto and Cupra Marittima.

To the main travel overview: Ascoli Piceno.