ALTIDONA (FM)
Altidona lies on a hill overlooking the valley and its 3 km coast hosts various holiday camps and villages. The town has ancient origins which date back to the Piceni period. At the beginning of XX century, has been discovered the greekstatue of Asclepius (III century bC). Altidona belonged to Montecassino (Altidona appears on the bronze door of its cathedral built in the XII century ) and then to Farfa abbey; its history is closely related to Fermo, in 1507 it was one of its secondary castles. The village has a bellicose past, was ransacked by the Napoleonic government and in 1860 90 per cent of voters decided to be annexed to Italy.
PETRITOLI (FM)
Petritoli was founded by Farfensi friars in X century with the name of Castel Rodolfo, then belonged to Transarico baron of Saltareccia who gave it to the Bishop of Fermo in 1055. From 1198 to 1250 it was autonomous, until the conquer by Frederick II, who ceded it to his allied city, Fermo. Sieges, destructions, autonomy and submission alternate in the history of Petritoli, which had the status of Cantone under Napoleon and actively participated in the movement of the Risorgimento. The etymological source is debatable, the name should come from the three castles Petrosa, Petrania and Petrollavia. Petritoli gave help to the refugees of Vidor, now twin town of Petritoli. In spite of the changes of the last 50 years, Petritoli still represents an important reality for the economy and society of the Aso valley and the territory of Fermo. The so called “balcony” of the Aso Valley has great artisan and culinary traditions, but above all, very friendly people.
MONTERUBBIANO (FM)
The Piceni settled the area approximately on IX-III century bC. In 268 bC, the Romans gave to the town the status of urbs (urban city), atteisting its relevance. It was invaded by the Goths in the V century AD and became a free commune (called Urbiano)in the VII century, in spite of Fermo’s attempts to subdue it. Monterubbiano defended itself, had its own laws, consuls and governors. Fermo lost his hopes to conquer it and officially recognized it as a peer. In XII and XV centuries the town expanded and was divided into neighborhoods as the bigger cities. In the XV century it was conquered by Francesco Sforza, who fortified it in 1443; in XVII century it became part of the Papal States until 1797. During 1831 and 1848 revolutions, numerous volunteers fought in the Wars of Independence and, finally, in 1860 Monterubbiano was annexed to Italy, together with the Marche region.
ORTEZZANO (FM)
Ortezzano (301 meters above sea level) rises on the hill slope that dominates the Aso river (formerly Hausum). The small and delightful village has about 810 inhabitants and has a rich history dating back to the Piceni civilization. Ortezzano is the flower of Aso valley, as evoked by the city coat of arms: three hydrangeas on the top of three hills. Ortezzano covers a 699 ha. surface and only 52 ha. of urban area. The economy is based on agriculture; thanks to the fertility of its soil, it has a great production of vegetables and fruits. Important to mention are the renowned pork-processing, the excellent olive oil production and the exquisite wines of the territory, as Falerio and Rosso Piceno. Ortezzano is rich in historical monuments. its old town center and landscape are particularly appreciated by tourists, who can find hospitality, art, history, food, tradition and, obviously, the kindness of its people.
MONTEGRANARO (FM)
Montegranaro is probably the heir of Beregra (or Veregra), an ancient Roman town. The current name is related to the mons Granarius, one of the wheat deposits installed by the Romans. In 1354, Montegranaro received the excommunication by Cardinal Egidio Albornos, revoked only two years later. During the age of Signoria, Marco Zeno was named by Pope Urban VI, as vicar, governor and master of the land. After Ludovico Migliorati, in 1433 arrived Francesco Sforza, who invaded the marca anconitana and became lord of the area for a long time. Montegranaro sided with the Duke of Milan and the Pope Eugene VI excommunicated it for the second time, in 1442, until 1445 when Montegranaro signed for submission to the Papal States. Until the eighteenth century, the town’s agriculture flourished (in partcular wine, oil and cereal production). Between the end of eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth century, Montegranaro began producing the chiochiera, a sort of fabric slipper with horse-leather sole, passing then to the leather shoe. It has been the fortune of the city, now as then.