Montemaggiore al Metauro: Walls, Museums and History

Montemaggiore al Metauro combines a walled historic centre with a multifaceted cultural history. The centre is still enclosed by brick walls. It lies on a hill surrounded by a pine forest; at the same time, the town centre is referred to as a “castle”. If you appreciate Italian history, architecture and a clearly recognisable townscape, this character provides a strong focus for your travel planning. On the hill stands the parish church of Santa Maria del Soccorso, also known as Santa Maria dentro il Castello.

Church, Tower and Exhibition Hall

The building’s history spans several periods. The first church within the walls was probably built towards the end of the 15th century and was extensively remodelled in later centuries. Opposite the church stands the civic tower. From there, 101 steps lead down to the level below Montemaggiore al Metauro. On Piazza Italia stands a small theatre, built in 1929 as the “Casa del Dopolavoro e dei Balilla”, extensively restored and now used as an exhibition hall. In this way, the town brings together sacred architectural history, a historic tower and the changed use of a cultural building.

Museums with a Historical Focus

The Museo Storico del Fiume Metauro was opened in 2002 in a deconsecrated church. In a single room, it preserves photographs, written testimonies, diaries, documents, uniforms and weapons from this period. In the area around Montemaggiore al Metauro there is also the Museo della Civiltà Contadina, Grotte, Arte Sacra, a museum. Bastione Sant'Anna is also a museum in the surrounding area. These destinations complement the town centre with different approaches to everyday history, sacred art, military architecture and representative architecture.

Historical Reenactment “Era Ieri”

The historical reenactment “Era Ieri” focuses on the visit of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to Montemaggiore al Metauro in connection with the military actions that led to the breakthrough of the Gothic Line in August 1944 with the Battle of the Metauro. For this occasion, the village of Montemaggiore is prepared and fills with reenactors, costumed performers, as well as historic cars, motorcycles and military vehicles. If you are interested in history presented in a vivid way and historical scenarios, this subject represents a distinct aspect of the town.

Beaches and Mountain in the Surrounding Area

Various landscape features can also be found outside the historic centre. Boiani, Spiaggia di Fano and Arzilla are beaches in the area around Montemaggiore al Metauro. Monte San Bartolo is a mountain there. This makes it possible to combine cultural interests in the town centre with destinations for excursions in the wider area. When choosing your hotel, you can first consider whether you want to organise your stay primarily around the town’s history or around the beaches and landscape destinations in the surrounding area.

For the higher-level travel overview: Pesaro - Urbino.