Montelparo: Museums, Churches and Local Traditions

Montelparo is situated on a hill overlooking the valley of the Aso River. Anyone wishing to combine culture, architecture, regional traditions and a distinctive landscape on their trip to Italy will find several different points of interest here. The museums and churches make the town just as interesting as its culinary festivals and a designated circular cycling route.

Museums and Churches with Their Own History

At the Museo Antichi Mestieri Ambulanti, you can see bicycles built for a wide variety of professional activities. The museum contains more than 50 exhibits. Its exhibition illustrates the world of work from 1920 to 1960, offering a glimpse into historical forms of work and everyday life.

The Museo di Arte Sacra preserves sacred objects, liturgical vestments, candlesticks and crucifixes. Several churches also provide distinctive architectural highlights: the Church of San Michele Arcangelo in Montelparo dates back to the 12th century. The Church of San Gregorio Magno uses a defensive bastion of the Porta da Sole as its apse. The façade of Sant'Angelo features a Gothic portal flanked by two Renaissance portals. The original complex of Santa Maria Novella dates back to the 13th century.

Outside the town of Montelparo lies the rural church of Santa Maria in Camurano. It contains frescoes from the 15th and 16th centuries. This distinct point of interest extends the cultural perspective beyond the buildings in the town, without conflating the different periods and functions of the churches.

Hillside Location and a Circular Cycling Route

The “Monteleone di Fermo – Montelparo – Monteleone di Fermo” circular route reaches the municipality of Montelparo from Monteleone via gravel and asphalt roads. If you are planning a cycling tour, the route sequence is clear: it starts and ends in Monteleone di Fermo and passes through Montelparo along the way. The hillside location overlooking the Aso Valley provides the town’s scenic setting.

Baccalà, Polenta and Local Festivals

The tradition of Baccalà di Montelparo has continued uninterrupted since its origins in 1703. During the Festa di Sant'Antonio Abate, a tasting menu dedicated exclusively to baccalà was offered between 16 and 18 January 2026. For this event, the traditional Mercatino del Baccalà, featuring handicrafts, hobby items and typical products, was also planned in Montelparo’s historic centre.

Other regular features of the local annual calendar take place in other seasons: the Sagra della polenta sulla spianatora is celebrated in Montelparo in August. The Festa di Santa Maria in Camurano includes a Canestrelle procession and fried fish and takes place on the first Sunday in September. Thus, the culinary and religiously themed events span the period from winter to late summer.

More Destinations for Planning Your Trip to Italy

If you would like to select additional destinations besides Montelparo, you can find Force, Colle San Marco, Appignano del Tronto, Acquasanta Terme, Pedaso, Venarotta, Ripatransone and Lisciano here.

For the overarching travel overview: Ascoli Piceno.