Holiday apartment in Lapedona: Castello, churches and local traditions

Lapedona is a walled village overlooking Fermo and the surrounding countryside.

Castello and churches with a history of their own

The historic centre preserves its original structure as a castello fermano. Two gateways lead inside, only one of which is accessible by vehicle. Within the Borgo castellano is the Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angeli, also known as ad Nivem, which preserves 15th-century frescoes. The Chiesa di Madonna Manù was built in the 10th century and is a single-nave Romanesque building made of sandstone blocks. It contains a fresco of the Madonna del Latte, depicting Mary breastfeeding Jesus.

For visiting the Chiesa di Madonna Manù, 8 September is the key feast day: on this day, the feast day of Madonna Manù and the liturgical feast of the Nativity of Mary, the church can be visited. The Chiesa di San Lorenzo has a 16th-century wooden crucifix as well as an organ by Gaetano Callido, which is once again used for concerts.

The Chiesa di S. Pietro also reaches far back into the past. It was probably built at the beginning of the 11th century, at the latest by September 1028. Historically, it was cared for by Benedictine monks from the Abbey of Santa Croce di Fonte Avellana. This chronological context adds to the picture of a place whose churches reveal different eras and religious connections.

Fields, woods and paths around Lapedona

A picturesque white unpaved road through the fields leads to the Convento di Saltareccio. It leads to a preserved church and the remains of the monastery buildings on a wooded hilltop. The path makes the transition from the walled village to a quieter landscape tangible, without requiring an additional attraction.

Another way to incorporate Lapedona into an active day tour is the easy circular route “Fermo–Torre di Palme–Lapedona–Torre di Palme”. It begins in the centre of Torre di Palme, passes through the Cugnolo forest and reaches the settlement of Madonna Manù via ascents and descents. For personal planning, the ascents and descents are just as much part of the route description as the Cugnolo forest. After Lapedona, the circular route returns to Torre di Palme, so the starting point is also the endpoint.

Gnocchi and vino cotto

The local character includes the Sagra degli Gnocchi, held every year in Lapedona and regarded as the most important summer event in the programme of the Pro Loco of Lapedona. Beneath the Chiesa di San Nicolò there is also a room used as the Pro Loco’s cellar, housing barrels of the local speciality vino cotto.

More destinations for planning your trip

For further orientation, you can also explore Porto San Giorgio, Rapagnano, Petritoli, Massa Fermana, Montefortino, Capodarco, Monteleone di Fermo and Fermo.

For the overarching travel overview: Fermo.