Montesecco: Views, Church Art and Routes through the Valcesano

Panorama and Townscape

Montesecco lies at an altitude of around 456 metres and overlooks the Valcesano. As one of the most significant viewpoints in the upper valley of the Cesano River, the town offers views of the Adriatic coast and Monte Catria. Stone houses and small, enclosed piazzas define the townscape; in front of the two churches, the view stretches far into the distance. If you would like to combine the landscape with the town’s established structure, you will encounter both aspects here within a small area.

Churches, Art and Traces of the Past

The Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta preserves an oil painting from the late 17th century attributed to Clemente Maioli of Ferrara. It depicts the Madonna and Child as well as Saints Anthony of Padua, Francis of Assisi and Sebastian. The Chiesa di S. Maria Assunta in Montesecco is also a parish church, whose construction period is generally assigned to around the 17th century.

In the Chiesa di San Sebastiano, Montesecco preserves the late-15th-century fresco Madonna della Misericordia, attributed to the Marches school. Another historical trace leads to Madonna del Piano: during excavations, a large polychrome mosaic was reported there in 1969. The flooring may have belonged to a large suburban villa complex from the late imperial period; the building in which the flooring was located is not known.

Routes between Pergola and Montesecco

The Cammino dei Bronzi Dorati is an approximately 88-kilometre circular hiking trail around Pergola in the Province of Pesaro and Urbino and passes through Montesecco. For the Cammino, a main route is available as a GPX file, along with a mountain-bike route and alternative sections with descriptions. This makes it possible to consider the different route details separately for your personal planning.

Route I, “I borghi di Montesecco, Monterolo e Montevecchio”, leads from Pergola via the Strada Provinciale Sterleto to Montesecco and then continues for three kilometres along the ridge of a hill. Cycling is also associated with a specific historical date: the sixth Ciclopolverosa di Montesecco was scheduled for 19 June 2022 in Montesecco di Pergola as the third stage of the MTB Marche Cup.

Regional Cultural Area and Mountains

In the wider regional area around Montesecco lies the Museo Nori de' Nobili. Also located in this wider regional area are the Fondazione Villa Del Bali', a museum; the Eremo di Grottafucile, a monastery; and the Museo della Civiltà Contadina, Grotte, Arte Sacra, a museum.

The landscape around Montesecco includes several elevations: Monte Rotondo and Monte Raggio are mountains in the surrounding area. Colle Ameno is a summit in the surrounding area, while Monte Termine is a mountain. The MEZZARIA project promoted the area from an artistic, cultural and oenogastronomic perspective, focusing on Montesecco, the people who live and work there, and the land.

For further orientation in the wider regional area: Carpegna, Piandimeleto, Frontone, Piagge, Cartoceto, Montesoffio, Tavullia and Apecchio.

For the overarching travel overview: Pesaro - Urbino.