Montefortino: Gorges, History and Mountain Views
Accommodation in Montefortino
Montefortino combines the Gole dell'Infernaccio with historic religious sites, museums, viewpoints and regional dishes.
Culture and Religious Sites
The Pinacoteca Civica Fortunato Duranti was founded in 1842, after Fortunato Duranti donated his collection to the municipality. The Pieve di Sant'Angelo in Montespino has been documented since January 977 and corresponds to the Romanesque church of the same name on Montespino.
The Santuario della Madonna dell'Ambro stands at an altitude of 658 metres between Monte Priora and Monte Castel Manardo. The sanctuary is associated with the traditional account of an apparition to a girl named Santina who had been deaf and mute since birth. The church of the Santuario also has a ramp for people with disabilities.
The Porta di Valle (Porta di Vetice) is documented as early as the 13th century. Next to the gate is a viewing balcony overlooking the Sibillini Mountains. The Vetice viewpoint also offers views of the surrounding hills and valleys, the Sibillini Mountains and the villages below.
The Eremo di San Leonardo al Volubrio was an ancient Benedictine priory. It can be reached after approximately a one-hour walk through the Gole dell'Infernaccio. When planning the day, this approximately one-hour walk is a separate part of the itinerary for visiting the Gole dell'Infernaccio. In the Palazzo Leopardi, the Museo faunistico dei Monti Sibillini houses a collection of approximately 1,300 specimens in total, including mammals and birds of the Italian fauna as well as animals from abroad.
Gorges, Water and Protected Area
The Gole dell'Infernaccio are located in Monti Sibillini National Park, within the municipality of Montefortino. The Tenna River formed the gorge between Monte Sibilla and Monte Priora. At the entrance to the Gole dell'Infernaccio are the Pisciarelle waterfalls, which cascade in drops down the slopes of Monte Zampa. The course of the Tenna and the Pisciarelle therefore mark two different natural features within the same gorge.
Montefortino is part of the Zona Speciale di Conservazione “Valle dell'Infernaccio - Monte Sibilla”. This protected area lies entirely within Monti Sibillini National Park, covers an area of 3,415 hectares and also extends across Montemonaco and Castelsantangelo sul Nera.
Regional Cuisine and Local Specialities
One of Montefortino's culinary specialities is Cucciole in porchetta. It combines mountain snails – locally known as cucciole – with garlic, wild fennel, chilli peppers and peeled tomatoes.
’Ngriccio is a symbolic soup from Montefortino's cuisine, rooted in the rural tradition of the Marche hinterland. The two dishes differ in form: Cucciole in porchetta is a dish, while ’Ngriccio is a soup.
Excursions and Different Interests
CAI Montefortino organises excursions in the Sibillini Mountains. In addition, Montefortino has a sport-fishing lake near the town centre, fed by natural springs. The CAI excursion and the sport-fishing lake therefore represent different activities within the municipality of Montefortino.
For the higher-level travel overview: Fermo.
