Romagnoli Square is the first square you encounter after passing through the village entrance arch. From here, the two main entrances to the La Scarpa walkway open. On the left entrance is the Bacio Sign, marking the most romantic spots among the most beautiful villages in Italy in the Marche region. On the south side of the square is the municipal building. On the first floor, a small corridor to the left of the town hall entrance provides access to the municipal wine shop, and from there to the La Scarpa walkway and the Museo Utensilia. On the side opposite the town hall stands the Church of San Gaudenzio.

For the convenience of the people of the eponymous district, according to a plaque that was once at the entrance, the Church of Sant’Amico, dedicated to Saints Simon and Jude, was built in April 1587. In the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, the district was recorded in land registers and various documents as San Manìco or San Menìco; only during the 18th century did the current name appear. The church is believed to have been constructed on the site of a pre-existing church dedicated to Saint Dominic, from which the popular distortion San Ménico derives. This small rural church forms a single architectural complex with an adjoining house on its left side. The complex was restored at the end of the 1980s; the Cultural Heritage Authority approved the work provided that the original character of the building was maintained, recognizing it as a “historic monumental building.” The Church of Saints Simon and Jude of Sant’Amico is home to the Confraternity of the Buon Gesù. Its exact founding date is unknown, but record-keeping began in 1588, one year after the construction of the church. On May 1, 1608, it was affiliated with the Archconfraternity of the Buon Gesù of the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome. The confraternity remained active in the area until the 1960s. After a long period of inactivity, it was revived in 1978, though it remained largely dormant until recent years. In 2005, with renewed vitality brought by the involvement of some young members, the “Ceremony of Vestition” for new confraternity members was held.

The historic center of Morro d’Alba is characterized by a pentagonal city wall, composed of tall ramparts and slopes, whose most remarkable feature is undoubtedly the ancient walkway known as “La Scarpa.” The origins of this unique urban path date back to the first half of the 17th century, when every available space within the castle began to be utilized; the feudal walls were, in fact, used as a foundation for new constructions that covered the old camminamento di ronda. Today, the walkway is a place of great fascination, defined on one side by a long series of large arched windows overlooking the surrounding countryside, and on the other by the walls of the houses, where traces of the old entrances are still visible. The roof is marked by wooden beams of the ceilings, each differing in shape and size. This complex architectural structure, recently restored and returned to its former splendor, also contains other points of interest in the underground structures within it. A dense network of tunnels forms a true subterranean village running beneath the entire walkway, creating rooms of various sizes illuminated by small ventilation “windows” visible from the outer walls of La Scarpa.

Exploring the village at night is a fascinating experience, recommended in every season but particularly enchanting in summer, when the heat from the coast and the inland areas drives people to seek refuge on the hill, where it is more breezy—a tradition dating back to the 1500s, followed by noble families. The suggested itinerary begins in the center at Tarsetti Square, where the Stele with a graffito by Maestro Enzo Cucchi is located. Here, the installation called “The Sign” was conceived and created to highlight the work of the father of the Transavanguardia movement, a native of Morro d’Alba. Turning your gaze toward the castle, the village entrance arch is illuminated with different colors depending on the event or the season, a customization that always offers a fresh visual experience. As you cross the arch, you’ll notice Barcaroli Square deep within the fortress, featuring another light installation called “The Symbol”, which illuminates a land art work that tells the story of the local territory. This piece was created during a workshop with the Poliarte Academy during the first edition of the Green Loop Festival. Just past the village entrance arch, we suggest entering the La Scarpa walkway. The Bacio Monument invites visitors to recognize this spot as one of the most romantic locations in the Marche region. The monument’s side wall features numerous doors or windows, which are access points for local residents who share this extraordinary architectural jewel with tourists. These openings, called “finestroni,” allow views of the Marche countryside. Along the walkway, you will encounter two towers offering panoramic views. Federico I Tower (Il Barbarossa) faces west, while Teodorico Tower, often used in summer for concerts, weddings, and theatrical performances, faces east, offering a view of the coast where the moonlight reflects on the sea. Continuing, another spectacular viewpoint is the terrace in front of the restaurant, a gap in the walkway roof caused by post-WWII demolition. The absence of the roof creates a breathtaking panorama, both day and night, where you can see the coast near Falconara and Ancona and the lights of surrounding villages on the hilltops. In the warmer months, it is not unusual to catch the scent of sea breeze from the coast, which influences the local wine—whether Verdicchio, particularly mineral in this eastern production area, or Lacrima di Morro d’Alba, with its unmistakable bouquet of roses and violets. Along the La Scarpa walkway, you will find the entrance to the Sotterranei – Museo Utensilia, housing the photographic works of Maestro Mario Giacomelli along with a curated collection of tools from the sharecropping culture. Another entrance not to miss is the enoteca, where wine lovers can taste and purchase local wines, often paired with regional products. Further along the walkway, a reddish light on the pavement marks “Hellish Walk”, a luminous installation inspired by Dante, recreating the thrill of walking among flames—a unique monument in Europe. Exiting the walkway brings you to Romagnoli Square, opposite the entrance, completing in just 300 meters a captivating journey that blends history and landscape for a truly immersive experience. If visiting Morro d’Alba during an event, don’t miss the view of the castle from Piazzale Bersaglieri to admire “Green Heart”, a videomapping projected on the castle facade that offers a spectacular and original storytelling of the village. The installation is visible from kilometers away, and at Christmas, it is customized with lights celebrating the magic of the season. Amid light magic, intoxicating glasses, and breathtaking landscapes, a nighttime visit to Morro d’Alba is an unforgettable experience. Text by Alessandra Boldreghini

The Church of the Most Holy Annunciation, built outside the city walls, does not have a known exact construction date, but it was certainly completed by May 4, 1670, when the first Mass was celebrated. In later years, it became better known as the Church of Santa Teleucania, after it housed the saint’s body from 1836. The saint became an object of local veneration and was displayed to the faithful only on her feast day (September 4). As the religious devotion waned, the church fell into disuse and disrepair. In 1997, the Municipality, owner of the property, decided—after its deconsecration—to promote its reuse for socio-cultural purposes, such as conferences, concerts, and exhibitions. The area previously dedicated to worship was converted into an Auditorium–Conference Hall, while the rooms below were set up as an Exhibition Center. Inside, the church houses an altarpiece depicting the Annunciation with Saint Joseph and Saint Anthony of Padua (18th century) and two other paintings: Visitation (17th century) and Saint John the Baptist and Saint Anthony (18th century), all by unknown artists.

To visit this charming hamlet of the village, we suggest bringing a camera and strolling among the rows of vines, letting your eyes rest on enchanting views, surrounded by lush and untamed vegetation in areas not shaped by human hands. In summer, you can get lost in the aromas of grapes left on the vines, even stealing a few to savor their taste. In autumn, the area becomes a riot of colors: the Lacrima vines display all shades of red, while the Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio vines shine in bright yellow. A visit to one of the local wineries is a must, as is seeing the rural church of Saints Simon and Jude, built in the 16th century using some bricks of Roman workmanship, likely collected from the nearby archaeological site. In the second half of the 19th century, a 6th-century Byzantine gold medallion depicting King Theodoric—the only known image of the Ostrogothic ruler—was discovered in Sant’Amico. The area’s historical connection to this figure is highlighted by Teodorico Tower, the panoramic tower near the village, which faces the hamlet. For those wanting to experience an ancient village winery, a stop at the Antica Cantina Sant’Amico is essential. This evocative location, also suitable for weddings, is said to have hosted the poet Giacomo Leopardi in the villa within its private park. Text by Alessandra Boldreghini