Amandola

In the period from 568 to 570 Amandola was invaded by the Goths and then by the Lombards. In the 700s it was incorporated into the Duchy of Spoleto, later divided into the great Marches of Camerino and Fermo. Repeated interventions by the Franks and the donation of much land to the Church by King Pepin determined the division of the Duchy of Spoleto.
In 1249, from the union of the fiefdoms Agello, Castel Leone and Marrubbione, the Municipality of Amandola was formed enclosed in a 2230-meter perimeter wall with 5 gates: Agello, S.Giacomo (the only one still standing), Marrubbione, S.Antonio and Putei. There were three public squares: the platea Animalium, used for livestock fairs; the platea Magna, a place where popular assemblies and festivities were held; and the platea Vallelonga, an ancient market square.
At the end of the 16th century, important agreements were made between Amandola and the surrounding municipalities to define boundaries. In 1798 Amandola suffered the impact of Napoleonic forces and, due to an attempt at resistance, faced looting that ended with the desecration of the sarcophagus of Blessed Anthony. Only in 1800 did the French occupation end and papal rule was restored. During World War II Angelo Biondi was shot in the main square. In March 1944 German troops engaged in a brief conflict with partisans which ended with the shooting of 10 men.

Monuments, churches

• Abbey of San Ruffino and Vitale
• Romanesque-Gothic bridge over the Tenna river
• Church of San Bernardino and Capuchin Convent
• Church of San Pietro in Castagna
• Monastery of St. Lawrence
• Church of San Francesco
• Abbey of St. Vincent and Anastasius
• Tower of the Podesta
• Church of St. Augustine
• Holy Trinity Church
• Church of St. Mary of Mesericordia
• Museum of works of art saved from the earthquake (Preso Ex Collegiata)
• Museo del Paesaggio (Preso Ex Collegiata)
• Risorgimento Square
• Lake San Ruffino

Local traditions

Typical activities: Agriculture, Handicrafts
Food and wine: Prized White Truffle, Cold Cured Meats, Honey
Trivia and anecdotes: According to legend, Phyllis, daughter of Lycurgus King of Sparta, had gone to marry the handsome Demophon, who had left for the Trojan War. The war was over but Demophon was late in returning to his beloved, to whom the false news had come that her husband, having fallen in love with another maiden, would never return. Desperate Phyllis fled Greece and arrived in the Sibyllines at the site of the ancient Castel Leone and took her own life and her body was transformed into an almond tree, a large tree, beautiful but leafless. Demophon returned home and, not finding his beloved woman decided to set out in search of her. Arriving also on Castel Leone he learned the tragic end of Phyllis, and there was nothing left for him to do but embrace the trunk of that almond tree, which, as if by magic, immediately became leafy and rich in buds. From that ancient almond tree, born on the high ground of Castel Leone, the city of Amandola took its name.