The Monteleone Test

Located on a panoramic ridge overlooking the mid-Valley of the Ete Vivo, Monteleone di Fermo (427 m above sea level) is a medieval village that retains the intact charm of the “Castelli Fermani” (Fermo Castles). Famous not only for its brick architecture but also for the rare natural phenomenon of mud volcanoes, it represents a unique example in the Marche hinterland.

Today, Monteleone di Fermo (FM) is recognised as an “Authentic Village of Italy” (Borgo Autentico d’Italia). Despite the damage caused by the Central Italy earthquakes, the municipality is active in the reconstruction process.

Historical, Artistic, and Architectural Highlights

• Hexagonal Tower (14th-15th century): The symbol of the castle, featuring a peculiar polygonal geometry. It acts as a connecting element between the town walls and the civic structures.
• Church of San Giovanni Battista (12th-14th century): Built directly against the walls, it integrates elements from the Lombard and early Christian periods.
  • Focus: 15th-century terracotta portal and an early Christian sandstone lintel.
• Former Marcucci Palace: A historical building that has recently undergone seismic improvement works (post-2016 earthquake).
• Church of the Crucifix (or Santa Maria delle Misericordia, 1526): Notable for its cycle of frescoes by Orpheo Presutti (The Last Judgment).

A sample of the campaign:

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