Montelparo

Montelparo, is a charming town of ancient origin, covering part of a hill 588 m above sea level between the source area of the Ete Vivo River and the Aso River.

The mention of “Mons Elprandi,” known from the 12th-century documents of the Farfensi monks, owners of many estates in the area, has led to the hypothesis that the name derives from that of an ancient owner “Elprando,” perhaps of Lombard origin. It is actually a place name dating back to the age of the lower Roman Empire MONTE ET ‘ILLI PARES (=the mount and the even ones) and from the name castrum montis élpari as evidenced by the slurred name and the ending in (e).

In the 13th century the phenomenon of encastellation takes place, with the transfer of many lords from country fiefs within the walls along with the inhabitants and church titles. Montelparo then became a free commune and possessed statutes known in the reformed edition of the mid-16th century.

The first nucleus of the castle rose in the highest area together with the Church of St. Michael the Archangel of the Benedictine monks. The dwellings were built in concentric bands following the slope of the hill. Three main nuclei can be recognized there: to the west near the Augustinian convent, to the south near S.Gregorio and to the east near S.Maria Novella, where the Jewish ghetto was also located.

Landslides between the 17th and 18th centuries and the 1703 earthquake involved a number of buildings, including the Augustinian Convent, the Church of St. Angelo and the Town Hall, which was rebuilt further downstream.

Monuments, churches

• Church of St. Gregory
• Church of St. Michael the Archangel and Bramante Square
• St. Peter’s Church
• Church of Santa Maria in Camurano
• Convent and church of St. Augustine, sacred museum and civic museum
• Museum of ancient walking trades
• Civic Palace
• Cavour Square
• Gate of the Sun
• Marconi Square Terrace
• Former swimming pool area

Traditional events

• Feast of St. Anthony with traditional cod tasting (January)
• Costumed performance of the “Way of the Cross” through the streets of the historic center (Good Friday)
• Feast of St. Pauline and reunion of former Montelparesians (July)
• Manifestation the “Golden Cloister” review of dialect theater (July-August)
• Polenta festival on the esplanade (August)
• Feast of Santa Maria in Camurano parade of canastrelle and fried fish (September)
• Feast of St. Michael the Archangel (September)
• Feast of the Elderly and Fighters and Redeemers (mid-November)
• Traditional Midnight Half (December)