Venarotta: Hiking Trails, Churches and the Historic Cantina

Venarotta between Valleys and the Apennines

Venarotta lies between the valleys of the Fluvione River and the Chiaro stream, at the foot of the Apennines of the Marche region.

Hiking on Circular Trails and Stages

The Anello del Terzo Paradiso is a relatively easy circular trail that runs almost entirely within the municipality of Venarotta. You can begin it at the Convento di San Francesco, where there is space to park your car. The starting point is in the hamlet of Castello di Venarotta.

The final section of the Cammino Francescano della Marca begins at the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie in the centre of Venarotta and ends opposite the Cattedrale di Sant’Emidio in Ascoli Piceno. The Venarotta–Ascoli section follows the course of the Chiaro stream and crosses it twice. The two stream crossings are a specific trail feature to consider when planning this section. The calanchi typical of this area occur along the Cammino.

The GABA (Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani) passes through the municipality of Venarotta at several points; Venarotta is also a stage destination. Its first stage ends at the Convento di San Francesco in the hamlet of Castello di Venarotta. The Convento di San Francesco is therefore both the starting point of the Anello del Terzo Paradiso and the endpoint of the first GABA stage.

Churches and Historical Traces

The Chiesa del Santissimo Salvatore stands out for its sandstone masonry, its simple, distinctive façade and a bell gable with single-light openings. Inside, it has two naves. Its present architectural form dates from before the 16th century. The date 961 refers to the history of the castle of Cerreto, not to the church’s present architectural form. In Cerreto di Venarotta, the church is already documented in 961 in the history of the medieval castle of Cerreto.

The outdoor areas and cloister of the Convento di San Francesco can be visited at any time; the interior spaces are accessible by reservation. According to local historians, the Convento was built from 1215 onwards on the site of an existing Benedictine hermitage. Frescoes were discovered on the north wall of the Chiesa di San Flaviano Martire and restored in 2020.

Sandstone, Cooked Wine and Local History

The historic cantina is an 18th-century cellar carved entirely into sandstone. It houses the Museum of Cooked Wine and Medicinal Wines “Arnaldo da Villanova”. At the Chiesa del Santissimo Salvatore and in the historic cantina, sandstone can be encountered in Venarotta in two different historical contexts. Visits to the historic cantina are possible by reservation, as well as during events and festivals.

More Destinations

Ripatransone, Rotella, Cossignano, Centobuchi, Roccafluvione, Vallefusella, Amandola, Pastina

To the higher-level travel overview: Ascoli Piceno.