Moresco: Towers, Churches and the Valdaso Landscape

Moresco Between Fortification Walls and Valdaso

The Castello di Moresco stands on the summit of a hill, overlooking the Aso Valley below. The complex, entirely surrounded by walls, has a triangular layout and is closed off at one point by the imposing Torre Eptagonale, dating from the 12th century.

The Castello di Moresco was first mentioned in a document in 1083. The Torre Eptagonale and the Torre dell’Orologio formed its defensive system. The Torre Eptagonale is 25 m high and crowned by an impressive Ghibelline battlement. The Torre dell’Orologio, also known as the Torre Minore, is an ancient defensive structure on the southern side of the historic centre.

The Torre dell’Orologio has a square layout and a small entrance gate facing the interior of a hypothetical palisade enclosure. The Porta Castellana is the usual entrance for visitors to Moresco; through its brick arch, a staircase covered by a vault leads to the picturesque piazzetta of the borgo.

Churches and Regional Art

The Chiesa di Santa Maria dell’Olmo was built in the 16th century to house a Gothic aedicule, which is still located inside it today. The church also preserves a fresco by Vincenzo Pagani, created around 1540, depicting Christ on the Cross between the Virgin Mary and Saints Mary Magdalene, John and Peter.

The Pinacoteca “Patrizio Gennari” is located on the first floor of the Palazzo Comunale. It preserves works of art from the region and displays a monumental panel by Vincenzo Pagani from 1529.

The former Chiesa di Santa Sofia was revived in 2005 as a small theatre with around 60 seats.

The Santuario della Madonna della Salute is located immediately outside the historic centre. It has an octagonal layout and a dome clad in diamond-pointed ashlar, with echoes of an Oriental style. The Chiesa di San Lorenzo stands in scenic surroundings with views extending as far as the Adriatic coast.

Landscape, Paths and Local Cuisine

The Valdaso di Moresco is a rural landscape of gentle hills, vineyards, centuries-old olive groves and rows of fruit trees that slope down towards the Adriatic Sea. Paths through this landscape connect the town with its surroundings and with historic churches and sanctuaries.

The “Arte, fede e tradizioni” walking tour takes visitors from the historic centre of Moresco to places of faith.

Visitors can taste oil, wine and typical products in Moresco, visit gardens and orchards, and experience rural traditions at close hand. Pizza Ficata is a local speciality: crispy dough is combined with the sweetness of figs. The traditional Sagra della Polenta con le Vongole takes place on 9 and 11 August within the old walls of the borgo, combining polenta with clams, live music and performances.

At the end of October, the Festa del Braciere takes place in the Piazza del Castello in Moresco. Grilled meat, chestnuts and local wine are accompanied there by folk music and folk dances.

Further destinations: Campofilone, Montegiorgio, Montappone, Casone, Montegranaro, Lapedona, Monte Giberto, Massa Fermana.

To the higher-level travel overview: Fermo.