Discover Alteta: Castle Complex, History and Trails

Alteta is best understood through its castle complex and the architectural forms directly connected with it. The castle of Alteta is a small polygonal castle built on the crest of a hill. Its castle wall follows the shape of the plateau; on the southern side, there is a single entrance. A horseshoe-shaped street begins and ends at the courtyard of the castle of Alteta. This sequence of hilltop, plateau, wall, entrance and courtyard gives the layout of the village a concrete form.

Castles, Palazzi and Medieval Traces

The Castello di Alteta preserves the structure of a medieval castle. The Palazzo Tiracorda is attached to the castle walls; it dates from the 17th century. The remains of the Church of San Rocco lie immediately outside the castle area and date from the 15th to the 16th century. At the castle walls, the medieval structure of the Castello connects with the Palazzo Tiracorda, which dates from the 17th century.

The village’s political history is also connected with the castles in the surrounding area. In 1229, Alteta was one of the castles over which Montegiorgio exercised jurisdiction. Under the agreements of 1293, the castle of Alteta was returned to Fermo. The castle of Alteta was also recaptured during the reconquest of the lost castles.

Finding Your Way Around the Castle and Piazza

Piazza XXV Aprile forms part of Alteta’s medieval castle complex; the Palazzo Merli is located there. The parish of Santi Michele Arcangelo e Zenone Montegiorgio–Alteta is located at Piazza XXV Aprile in Montegiorgio. In the Church of San Zenone, the 19th-century façade stands out, structured horizontally by a cornice and vertically by two rows of pilasters. Piazza XXV Aprile thus connects the castle area of Alteta with the address of the parish in Montegiorgio.

The road layout is also part of finding your way around the area. From the SP52, the route continues towards Rapagnano and then turns left onto the SP72; after 3 km, you reach the castle of Alteta. For the approach, the change from the SP52 to the SP72 marks the beginning of the 3-km stretch to the castle.

A Historic Path to Alteta

A historic and scenic hiking trail leads from the village of Fosa di Montegiorgio along an old road laid out by pilgrims travelling to Loreto, reaching the area below the walls of the castle of Alteta. The road to Loreto connects Fosa di Montegiorgio with the old pilgrims’ route leading to below the castle walls.

The landscape around Alteta is also home to Casino Merli, an ancient country house that is now heavily deteriorated and characterized by ruins. The building therefore represents a different form of historical connection with the area than the castle complex: not the preserved structure of a fortification, but an ancient country house and its present ruinous condition define the character of this destination.

For the broader travel overview: Montegiorgio.