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La Scarpa – Castle Walkway

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La Scarpa – Castle Walkway

La Scarpa – Castle Walkway

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PZA Romagnoli 10
Temporarily closed

The camminamento di ronda that runs along all the castle walls of the village of Morro d’Alba is unique in Europe. It is called “La Scarpa,” referring to the outer castle walls, which are sloped (scarpate). Originally, it was the village’s main street, lined with the most important houses, housing the entrance to the town hall and later the entrances to artisan workshops. Today, thanks to its excellent preservation, it offers a walk with extraordinary views of the Marche countryside, gently sloping from the Sibillini Mountains down to the sea and Monte Conero. The towers are located at the vertices of the castle’s original pentagonal plan and were named after figures and elements connected to the village’s history, which is closely tied to Frederico II (his coat of arms is reproduced on the civic tower visible from Piazza Tarsetti, outside the village).

In particular, the tower called “Teodorico” is often chosen for wedding ceremonies, taking advantage of the extraordinary panorama and the special atmosphere at certain times of the day, such as at sunset. The same locations are used by the local administration for chamber music concerts during the summer. The entire camminamento di ronda is equipped with a sound system that allows the walk and the ceremony to be accompanied by music, which can be chosen by the bride and groom. In this case, the rental cost of the public space also covers the SIAE fee and seating for guests.

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Morro d'Alba inaugurates the restoration of the 'La Scarpa' patrol walkway

After a restoration lasting several months, the Municipality of Morro d’Alba (a Wine Town in the Province of Ancona) will finally inaugurate the “La Scarpa” Patrol Walkway on February 15th at 11:00 AM. This walkway is a symbol of the town, alongside the Lacrima wine. “La Scarpa” is a unique rampart walk; located atop the ancient castle walls, it is distinguished by being almost completely covered, with its two sides marked by panoramic arches facing outwards and by buildings and dwellings facing inwards. Constructed between the 13th and 15th centuries and expanded around the 17th century, when its defensive functions diminished, some of Morro d’Alba's most important buildings overlooked it. Its name derives from the steep incline of the walls, so precipitous that they resembled "scarps" or steep slopes. Along the walkway, you encounter several towers, named after historical figures important to Morro d’Alba's development. The two main ones are the Federico II Tower, facing west, and the Teodorico Tower, facing east. “La Scarpa” is special for the magnificent views it offers over the Marche region, with the eye sweeping from the Sibilline Mountains to the Conero Riviera and getting lost in the surrounding countryside; a unique landscape that can be admired from the arches opening onto the walkway or from the towers. The Marche Wine Town continues its path of protection and enhancement of its small historic center, an extraordinary example of fortified architecture and today a place for meeting and culture, as well as the seat of the Town Hall.