Il Palazzo: Church Art, Palaces and Landscapes

Art, Architecture and Local History

The Chiesa San Francesco in Force, Palazzo Canestrari and Villino Verrucci reveal different aspects of art, architecture and history. They are joined by biographical sites connected with Francesco Antonio Marcucci and Maria Assunta Pallotta, as well as scenic locations in and beyond the surrounding area of Il Palazzo. Together, they create a travel theme combining cultural highlights, religious history and a connection with nature.

The Chiesa San Francesco in Force stands on the site of a Franciscan monastery built in 1272. A triptych was painted for the church; it has since been dismantled, and two panels have been located. The central panel, known as the “Madonna di Force”, is held in the Vatican Museums; another panel from the predella can be seen in the Louvre in Paris. Beneath the Chiesa San Francesco there is also a large artistic mechanical nativity scene, designed in 1992 and covering an area of 250 square metres. The Porta-torre di San Francesco dates from the 18th century. Villino Verrucci was built in 1935 in the Liberty style at the request of the architect Ernesto Verrucci Bey.

Palaces, Museums and Biographical Traces

Palazzo Canestrari in Force houses the Museo del Rame and the Musei Sistini. The Casa Nativa della Beatrice Maria Assunta Pallotta is known as the birthplace of Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta. In the village of S. Giovanni in Force, the birthplace of Francesco Antonio Marcucci still exists and is known locally as “il palazzo”. The Casa Natale di Francesco Antonio Marcucci is a 17th-century palace. The palace where the family settled was located in Contrada Colle Riccardo, now called San Giovanni.

The Area Around Il Palazzo

The Museo-Biblioteca “F.A.Marcucci” and the Palazzetto Longobardo are located in the area around Il Palazzo. Also in this area are the Museo dell'arte ceramica and the Area Archeologica del Teatro Romano. These sites broaden the cultural perspective to include museum and archaeological themes, without requiring you to focus on a single historical period.

The landscape offers different geographical connections: Monte la Torre is located in the immediate vicinity of Il Palazzo, as is Monte dell'Ascensione. Monte Camperi and the summit of Monterone, by contrast, are located in the wider regional area. If you organise your days around cultural interests and landscape experiences, these distinctions help you navigate between nearby destinations and excursions farther afield.

Pilgrimage Tradition and Local Culture

A diocesan pilgrimage to the Casa Natale of Francesco Antonio Marcucci in Colle Riccardo was scheduled for 11 July 2026. There, pilgrims were to visit the house and pray together. In Force, the local tradition “Antichi Sapori per le vie del Borgo” is also celebrated every August. Alongside the buildings and works of art, religious history and a recurring local tradition therefore take centre stage. Il Palazzo may be particularly interesting for you if you want to view historic sites not in isolation, but as part of a combination of cultural themes, religious history, museums and the regional landscape.

More Destinations for Your Planning

For further orientation, you can also view Castignano, Massignano, Montemonaco, Montalto delle Marche, Colli Del Tronto, Venarotta, Centobuchi and Montelparo.

For the overarching travel overview: Ascoli Piceno.