In 1487, the Chapter of St. John Lateran authorized the municipal authorities of Morro and the Confraternity of St. Benedict to build a church or chapel on a piece of its property along the village, not far from the castle. By 1512, the building was already constructed, and to this day, the façade bears the Chapter’s coat of arms, the only surviving element of the original architectural structure. Between 1608 and 1627, the church was part of a small Franciscan convent established on the site. After various renovations, it transitioned from a confraternity church to a parish church in 1884, when the rights of the Church of Santa Maria del Fiore were transferred to it. The building features a façade with decorative white stone elements dating to the 1930s renovation and an interior with a basilica layout consisting of a single nave. The ceiling, the arch between the nave and the presbytery, and the vault of the presbytery itself were frescoed at the end of the 1940s by Marcantonio Bedini from Ostra and his young son, Tarcisio. Along the long walls are two remarkable wooden altarpieces, called “ancone,” from the late 16th century, created by local master craftsmen skilled in wood carving. The right wall houses a 1595 painting by Ercole Ramazzani of Arcevia, a former pupil of Lorenzo Lotto, depicting the Immaculate Conception flanked by two rows of angels, with Saint Michael the Archangel and Saint Benedict. On the opposite wall, a painting from the first half of the 17th century depicts the Madonna of Loreto, at the center between Saint Teresa, Saint Clare, Saint Francis, and Saint Anthony. In the presbytery, in a niche above the altar, there is a gilded wooden throne from the late 19th century containing a small canvas painting of the Madonna del Consiglio.

Bersaglieri Square runs along the southeastern side of the castle walls and features a garden equipped with playgrounds for children, as well as a large open space that in summer hosts outdoor shows and dance evenings. It is very popular on summer afternoons because it is always shaded, attracting both families with children and residents of the local nursing home, who enjoy continuous interaction with the community in this space. During Cantamaggio, the square is where the May tree is decorated by kindergarten children and the “grandparents” from the nursing home. This marks the first ritual of the ancient festival, reviving the traditional singing of the alms-seeking chants, images of which were captured by Mario Giacomelli and are permanently displayed in the Museo Utensilia. The area is still known today as “il giogo,” possibly recalling the space where the traditional ball game with the bracciale was once played. During special events (such as Le Notti del Vino, The Romantic Night of the Villages, Christmas, etc.), the imposing castle walls become a canvas for light design. “Green Heart” is a videomapping projected onto the castle façade, offering a spectacular and unique storytelling of Morro d’Alba. The installation is visible from kilometers away, and at Christmas, it is customized with light displays celebrating the magic of the season. Bersaglieri Square also houses the local Public Library, which serves as the center for many cultural initiatives promoted in the village.

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

The Parish of San Gaudenzio is located in Morro d'Alba and has a centuries-old history. The church, restored several times, houses valuable works of art, including paintings and sculptures, and serves as the spiritual center of the local community.

Barcaroli Square is located in the innermost part of the historic village of Morro d’Alba. Until 1813, as shown in images from the Gregorian Cadastre, what is now a square was a densely built area housing municipal offices, the homes of wealthy residents, an olive mill, the Monte di Pietà, and other typical elements that defined village social life. However, from the 19th century onward, the most prominent families stopped living in the castle, no longer considering a residence in the historic center a sign of social distinction. As a result, the central buildings and the city walls began to show signs of decay. Most of the structures within the village were demolished, leaving only the peripheral buildings that remain today. Today, part of the square hosts a garden, while the other part transforms into an open-air theater in summer—a kind of arena for theatrical performances, the cinema under the stars series, outdoor dinners, events from the Lacrima in Giallo Literary Festival, and concerts from Le Notti del Vino. Two entrances from the square lead to the La Scarpa walkway. On the northern side, there is a recess where a building once stood. During the day, a land art installation can be seen in the background, created for the first edition of the Green Loop Festival in collaboration with the Poliarte Academy of Ancona. The structure resembles a rose window that evokes symbols of the Morro d’Alba territory. On the outer part, olive and vine leaves are represented—the most common crops in the area—while the innermost circle is composed partly of an agricultural cart wheel, also seen in the Museo Utensilia, and a mechanical wheel representing local industries. At night, the work is illuminated by the light design installation “The Symbol”, which is also visible from Tarsetti Square.

The Utensilia Museum in Morro d'Alba is a detached section of the "Sergio Anselmi" Sharecropping History Museum in Senigallia.