Churches and abbeys

Extraordinary example of Romanic architecture, its external shape shows the three amazing apsis, corresponding to the three naves. Inside the church is one of the few still keeping the three different parts of the Romanic architecture: the aula, dedicated to people, the presbytery, much higher and in gothic style, reserved for the monks, almost a church inside the church, and finally the crypt accessible through a narrow stair.
On the first light of the 25th of May, day of patron Saint Urbano, a lighting ray entering by a hole above the apsis, shines through the darkness and perfectly enlighten a circle engraved in the stone of the wall on the left side of the entrance.

Traditionally, the real evidence of the presence of S. Francesco is the ancient oak door inserted into the facade of the church from where the saint made his entrance. The settlement of Forano lived a miraculous event. In 1289 the Virgin Mary holding the Child in her arms, appeared to Frate Corrado from Affida.

This typical country church, dating back to the 16th century and renovated on several occasions, stands on the site where, according to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to a farmer on 5 June 1411. The feast of S. M. Apparente is celebrated on 5 June each year. She is co-patroness of the city of Civitanova, together with S. Marone.

Currently this church is the remains of an ancient Benedictine monastery named in honour of Saint John. Blessed Ugolino, son of the nobleman Magalotto IV, was born in 1400 and, after becoming an orphan, he hermited away in this retreat. Inside this church 15th century frescoes featuring scenes from his life are still well preserved.

The building has been rebuilt and restored several times and the bell tower was found in the center of the facade of a large cathedral. Of the Baroque building there are only two beautiful chapels left that flank the main altar. A small Museum of Sacred Art has been set up which preserves liturgical vestments and beautiful pieces of silverware: important chalices from various eras and a very precious silver crucifix by Giovanni Giardini, a Roman silversmith active between 1646 and 1722.

The building stands on the highest town hill and originates from a previous eleventh century church belonging to the Benedictine Abbey of Farfa. In 1263 the Farfa monks gave the church to the Franciscan order that expanded it according to the Romanesque-Gothic style.
Next to the church there is the Farfense Chapel used for the noble families of Montegiorgio burial. This is a unique space with an ogive fresco vault that preserves an excellent cycle of the Umbria-Marche school concerning the stories of the True Cross discovery (XV century). The under part is occupied on 3 sides by frescoes depicting Mary’s life moments and St. Francis stigmata.Among the tombstones of the noble families of Montegiorgio placed on the floor and on the walls, it is remarkable that one of the Alaleona family (probably dated at the 15th century).

The church, transferred to the Passionist Fathers in the Eighteenth Century, hosted San Gabriele dell’ Addolorata. Nowadays, his chamber serves as a chapel.

On 17 April 1560, fire destroyed the monastery; ten days later, an intact consecrated Host was recovered from it, a miracle for Pope Pius IV.

Majestic frame of the highest square in the historical center of Sarnano, is a Romanesque church containing frescoes and paintings of great value. The building dates back to the 11th century and was completed only in 1296 with the erection of the tower. Of particular value is the entrance portal at the center of the facade. Inside the church there are frescoes by Lorenzo D’Alessandro (1483), Antonio and Gian Gentile di Lorenzo and Paolo Bontulli da Percanestro (first 500).

On the slopes of Monte Ragnolo, are the remains of an ancient shrine originated around 1100 DC. It is a very scenic place surrounded by the sweet murmur of the Rio Terro flowing through the steep ditch below. Easy accessible in just over an hour walking distance from the Convento di S. Liberato or about 20 minutes leaving the car at the end of a dirt road from where it starts a well-charted path