Built in the mid-seventeenth century in the same area of ??the ancient church of St. John Lateran, it is now incorporated in the old people’s home commissioned by Gaspare Spontini.
At the entrance on the left you will find the marble sarcophagus where Gaspare Spontini is buried; the medallion is by Antonio Canova while the painting on the main altar depicting the "Crucifixion” was donated to the church by Celeste Erard after her husband's death (1851).
Maiolati stands on a hill 412 meters above sea level.
It dates back to the Midddle Ages, like the other castles of the middle valley of the River Esino.
In the thirteenth century Maiolati and Villa Talliano, situated in the middle of the hill that slopes into the River Esino, were two small villages located at a short distance from one another.
Thanks to its position, Maiolati became soon a castrum; it was part of the County of Jesi from the first decades of the thirteenth century until its dissolution in 1808. Like many other villas in Vallesina, Villa Talliano was built after the eleventh century as an extension of a curtis, that is a complex of dispersed landed properties. It belonged to the bishop of Jesi and was contended from Jesi in 1262 which then acquired all rights.
Not far away, take a gander inside the church of Saint Sisto of Talliano with the attached cloister.
The church and monastery were probably founded by the monks coming from St. Elena Abbey; in fact they both belonged to it in 1199.
In 1305 they both suffered severe damages because of the struggle between Jesi and the inhabitants of Fabriano.
The church of St. Sisto now standing in place of the monastery was probably rebuilt in the XVIII-XIX centuries. Visit the remains from Neolithic and Roman ages found in this area, more exactly in Massarella Street on the east side of Maiolati.
In the period from the seventh to the ninth century, the whole ridge was the border area between the Longobard Duchy of Spoleto and Camerino and the Byzantine Pentapolis. Many of the “loci dominus” have a Longobard origin and they were later put to the head of the fortified villages and castles.
Distance: km 21
Time advised: 4 hours (on foot); an hour (by car)
Difficulty: medium
From the archaeological area in Cupramontana, take the road which leads to Follonica, San Paolo until Staffolo.
Along the route, you can visit the ancient Roman aqueduct of Cupramontana (also called “Barlozzo” referring to the sect “Fraticelli”) and the medieval church of San Michele.
Not far from it , the vineyards of Follonica give birth to one of the best Verdicchio doc wines.
The ancient castle of Follonica is famous for its mysterious and legendary events.
At Contrada Battinebbia you can find the Vulcanelli di Fango (small volcanoes of mud) and a precious source rich in minerals, called “Acquasalata”, renowned for its miraculous and therapeutic properties.
Passing through San Paolo di Jesi, you can easily reach Staffolo where its Museo del vino (Wine museum) houses a wide collection of artifacts of winemaking tradition.
Castelli del Verdicchio - cookie policy - credits
Tel. +39 0731778710
Fax. +39 0731778750
Via Nazario Sauro, 1
60034 Cupramontana (AN)
 |