Ponzano di Fermo

Ponzano di Fermo is a small town perched on a hill that preserves its medieval physiognomy intact. The municipality comprises three urban cores: the main town and the hamlets of Torchiaro and Capparuccia. Archaeological finds from Roman times indicate the presence of an urban core since 300 AD. The oldest document bearing the name Ponzano dates back to 1059 and is contained in the deed by which Longino donated land near the Church of San Marco to the Bishop of Fermo.

In the 8th cent. the monks of Farfa settled there, organizing a curtis and building a church dedicated to St. Mary Mater Domini: in the second half of the 16th cent. it also began to be called St. Mark’s Church.

In 1570 Ponzano tasted the thrill of true Communal Freedom when Pope Pius V, by Motu Proprio, divided, separated the Castle of Ponzano from the Jurisdiction of the City of Fermo. The present name of Ponzano di Fermo was assumed on August 24, 1862.

Monuments, churches

• Ponzano Castle
• Church of SS.mi Simone and Giuda (Torchiaro): dates back to 1827 and was designed by architect Alessandro Vassalli.
• Church of St. Mark (12th century). It is about 500 meters from the center of Ponzano. Its name derives to it with well-founded probability from the development of the renowned St. Mark’s Fair, granted by Pope Paul III in 1537, which lasted ten days. The central body of the facade is dominated by the imposing quadrangular tower from 1400. The church is divided into three naves separated by columns and pillars; the presbytery slightly elevated where an ancient sarcophagus from the Roman period is positioned and serves as an altar. At the end of the left aisle are a monumental bell from 1290 and a stoup from 1566 on which an ox head is carved. On the other aisle is the Marble Fountain for holy water dating from 1584.
  A marble artifact inscribed “Pipini Adriani Papae” takes us back in memory to the second half of the 8th century, in remembrance of the covenant of alliance made between Charlemagne, his son Pippin and the Pope.
• Parish Church of Santa Maria: built in 1792, it is neoclassical in style and contains paintings from the 1600s and 1700s. It is located at the foot of the ramp that leads into the old Castle Embankment.
• Fonte Moscogna: is located 500 meters from the center of Ponzano, on provincial road No. 180 leading to the hamlet of Capparuccia. Already mentioned in the cadastre in the 16th cent a subsequently underwent several renovations.
• Madonna delle Cataste
• Entrance Gate (Torchiaro): dates back to the 15th century and provides access to the enclosure of the ancient castle.
• Keep: with pointed arched archways and Ghibelline-sided battlements, it is erected over the main entrance to the castle.