COSSIGNANO (AP)
Some archeological finds show that Cossignano was first inhabited by the Piceni. In 268 bC, Romans occupied its territory; in particular, the Cossinii from Tivoli brought many slaves, who built a farm, cleared the land and fertilized the fields around the present municipality, at the time called fundus Cossinianus or praedium Cossinianum. Castellum Martis was probably a previous name, as attested by some evidence discovered in Cupra Marittima. Ascoli and the Papal States gave help to Cossignano (which had just 1000 citizens) during the Middle Ages, causing annoyance to Fermo, which aimed at the strategic conquest of Cossignano, to better control the moves of Ascoli, its historic enemy. After the foundation of the Kingdom of Italy, the intelligentsia of Cossignano defended and maintained the autonomy of the municipality, despite its small dimensions.
COMUNANZA (AP)
Comunanza reminds a typical medieval village along the Aso river. A medieval village located on the Aso river. Archaeological excavations close to Colle Terme demonstrate that the site was inhabited during Roman period with the presence of health spas. The current settlement originated in the fifth and sixth centuries, when some families moved from the city of Ascoli to this area to escape the raids and Barbarian invasions. The village had ups and downs and was contested between Amandola and Ascoli, remaining in the sphere of influence of the latter. About a mile outside the village, close to Mount Passillo (588 m), there are still ruins of the castle that belonged to the Nobili family. The original shape and structure of the building are still a mystery. The name “Comunanza” appears for the first time on a document dated 1324; these were the exact words: “Communantia monti Passilli Covis Districtuali Esculi”.
FORCE (AP)
The name comes from “forca” (fork), because it lays between the valley of Aso, Tesino and Tronto. The first settlements happened in V century, when, during the barbarian invasions, people from the neighboring villages sought and found refuge in this hamlet. The copper work has a great importance thanks to Farfensi friars and nomadic tribes. “Villino Verrucci” (by the name of the architect who planned it) is a characteristic building erected off the walls of the village in 1936. The nunnery of the Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta is the native home of the Blessed and today here live the Missionary Franciscan Nuns of Maria.
MONTEDINOVE (AP)
The name and origin of Montedinove are linked to the disappearance of the city of Novana , mentioned by Pliny the Elder, in his note Naturalis Historia book III ch. XIII, as a city located between Asculum and Cluana. the urban structure, the narrow streets and the walls prove the development of XIV and XV centuries. In 1586, Sixtus V changed the territories of Montedinove into a modern state. In 1617, the municipality approved the building of a cloister, and on 10th November 1673, Pope Paul V authorized its realization and blessed the first stone of the sanctuary and convent of St. Thomas of Canturbury. The sanctuary was erected in place of the chapel dedicated to St. Thomas, built during the previous century. In the following centuries, Montedinove shared the historical path of the Papal States until 1861 and the Italian unification.
VALLE DEL TESINO (AP)
The main road is the county road SP 92 Valtesino, that runs along the left bank of the river, from Grottammare to Rotella, going through very popular towns and hamlets. From 1586, Pope Sixtus V organized the villages into the Presidato of Montalto, thrid admnistrative entity, between the territories of Fermo and Ascoli. The valley’s name comes from the river Tesino (in ancient times “Tessinus”), which springs from Mount La Torre (750 m.) in the area of Force, continues through the hamlet of Poggio Canoso and the municipality of Rotella and Grottammare, before flowing into the Adriatic Sea. Among the peculiarity of the valleys, we find badlands, while the natural vegetation made of plants with caduceus leaves and chestnut trees, has been mainly replaced by vineyards, vegetables, olive tree groves, orchards and floriculture (especially in Grottammare).