Spinetoli: Churches, Museums and Nature along the Tronto

Spinetoli combines sacred art, several museums and the landscape along the Tronto to create a diverse destination. For your planning, you can compare cultural highlights, historical traces, nature observation and regional cuisine without allowing the different facets of the town to blur together.

Sacred Art and Local History

The Chiesa di S. Maria Assunta was consecrated in 1367 by Bishop Agapito Colonna. It contains an organ dating from 1858, built by Vincenzo Paci. The church of the Santuario della Madonna delle Grazie was consecrated on September 8, 1763. According to popular tradition, around 1400 an unknown painter created the image of the Madonna and Child on a sandstone tuff stone; this tradition is part of the history of the Santuario della Madonna delle Grazie. Construction of the Chiesa di San Rocco began in 1500. The church contains frescoes, plaster bas-reliefs and, although poorly preserved, tapestries.

Museums in the Historic Center

The Museo della Scultura is located in the historic center of Spinetoli. Its collection was created from works that the municipality purchased at various editions of the National Sculpture Competition held in Spinetoli. It also offers educational workshops that promote creativity and imagination while developing knowledge of and the ability to work with different materials. The Museo della Civiltà contadina displays numerous tools and objects from the rural world of the Marche region. These include household, craft, agricultural, kitchen, stable and cellar equipment. The Museo Archeologico - Etno - Antropologico presents objects, artifacts and other material evidence of the past related to ancient history, culture and civilizations.

Wetland, Viewpoint and Cycle Path

The CEA Oasi La Valle is a wetland covering approximately 25 hectares near the Tronto River at Pagliare del Tronto in Spinetoli. A cycle path approximately 4 kilometers long runs through the oasis. There, you can observe water birds such as grey herons; grey herons breed there and are a symbol of the oasis. The CEA Oasi La Valle farmhouse also houses a center for the care and rehabilitation of birds of prey. The Piazzetta Belvedere is a viewing terrace above the Tronto Valley in the historic center of Spinetoli.

Villas, Archaeology and the Grape Harvest

There are several patrician villas in the Spinetoli area, with associated gardens or parks that are of interest for their architecture and works of art. Most of these buildings date from between 1600 and 1800. A Roman necropolis with approximately 60 tombs was discovered near S. Pio X in July 2006. The Festa dei carri dell'uva in Spinetoli is a historical re-enactment featuring allegorical grape carts depicting rural life during the grape harvest.

Regional Cuisine

Spinetoli is one of the municipalities that promote the “circuito della cucina degli orti.” As part of this initiative, dishes featuring asparagus, snap peas and artichokes play a role. When choosing your hotel or accommodation, you can incorporate these different interests into your personal travel plans: art and history, nature observation, cycling or regional cuisine each provide a distinct focus for your stay.

More destinations: Campolungo, Pastina, Uscerno, Castel Di Lama, Grottammare, Venagrande, Pedaso, San Silvestro

For the higher-level travel overview: Ascoli Piceno.