Castelli del Verdicchio

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Point of interest

One of the oldest festivals of wine or grapes in Italy (from September 23, 1928), has

been held for decades on the first Sunday of the month of October, and the preceding

Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It celebrates not only the grape harvest but also the fertility

of the land, particularly important in this area rich in vineyards planted with Verdicchio vines.

of Dell’Uva derives from a rich and ancient heritage, encompassing traditions, culture,

economy and agriculture of the area, and has become a party for the inhabitants and also

draws thousands of people to Cupramontana for the days of the festival. The characteristic

elements of country folk are evident with a warm welcome: the traditional dances, including

the "Saltarello" (a local dance) performed by local folk groups, songs that were sung in the

fields during harvest time accompanied on various instruments including accordions and

concertinas. Il Palio Del Verdicchio is an annual competition held on the Saturday afternoon

where teams must tread grapes with their feet, just as was done in past centuries. The

teams represent the various production areas surrounding the town. The highlight of the

festival, held on the Sunday afternoon, is the Parade of Floats. Each parish (or quarter) of

the town and the surrounding areas have their own decorated wagon which follows a subject

of wine-making and the traditions of winemaking. Each year the theme varies, as affected by

the current environment, politics, social or historical events – the outcome is creative and

entertaining. The Food Stands, called “capanne” in Cuprense dialect, are designed for the

distribution of food and wine and give an opportunity to taste typical local cuisine. The Sagra

Dell’Uva in Cupramontana successfully combines music, entertainment, wine and food in an

authentic surrounding, and therefore is universally popular.

Municipality

Maiolati Spontini

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.

Itinerary

Cupramontana – San Paolo di Jesi - Staffolo

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.