The Castles of Tronto Valley

The route is dedicated to the principal and suggestive fortresses of the Piceno territory: Arquata del Tronto, Castel di Luco, Acquaviva Picena.

MEETING POINT: Arringo Square or De Gasperi Sreet

DURATION: 6 hours, full day  

TRANSPORT: walking route, bus or car for long travelling

Extra costs could be expected to enter into some sites

NOTES: The route could be changed according yours demands

The route starts in Arquata del Tronto, a medieval village surrounded by two National Parks: The National Park of Sibillini Mountains and the National Park of Gran Sasso and Laga Mountains. Of great interest is S. Agata Gateway, the unique and surviving medieval gateway in the village; Arquata is full of medieval churches: among them we can find the Church of S. Annunziata which conserves a crucifix in wood of the XIII century. It is the most ancient statue in Marche Region. In the Church of S. Francis a copy of the Holy Shroud is conserved. The most important monument in Arquata is the Fortress (XIII-XV century): it was built as a defensive building at the top of the village. The fortress is linked to the legend of the Queen Giovanna II D’Angiò, called “Crazy Giovanna”.

Another beautiful village is Castel di Luco in the District of Acquasanta Terme, not far from Arquata. The castle is very ancient (year 1052) and it has a medieval appearance and an elliptical shape. In Castel di Luco village the visitor can find a suggestive atmosphere surrounded by woods.

We are reaching Ascoli Piceno, throughout the Salaria street. Here we are visiting Malatesta Fortress; it was built in the XVI century by the architect Antonio da Sangallo the Younger thanks to Pope Paul III Farnese. Its name derives from the ancient fortress which was built by the tyrant Galeotto Malatesta from Rimini. Malatesta Fortress is a unique architecture: the building was built on a Renaissance church called the Church of S. Mary of the Lake. The church was built on the Roman thermal baths.

The route finishes in Acquaviva Picena. Here you can visit the Fortress: it was built by the Acquaviva’s family in 1300; here you can admire a beautiful view: sea, hills and Gran Sasso Mountains. In this Fortress you can visit two museums: the Museum of Antique Arms and the Pagliarole Museum where you can see the traditional straw baskets that were once produced by the peasant families. Still today in Acquaviva, in August, take place a commemoration which re-evoking a marriage..Sponsalia..