Ortezzano

A Brief History

Quoted in Pliny as Urticinum (from the Greek word Chortos, which refers to an enclosure, or pasture-land), it is a town of Picenian origin and shows traces of Latin settlement both in the district of Cisterna and Prato. The Farfa monks have mostly settled in the district of San Massimo and Castalletta.

Ortezzano has a troubled past, most notably with Malatesta, Battistelo of Ascoli, Sforza of Milan and Lautrek.

Ortezzano Alumni

• Giuseppe Attili (1692-?), was the son of Giovanni Battista and was also a famous organ-maker.
• Frederico Giulietti (1710-1807), a Latin and Greek teacher at San Severino (Macerata)
• Gian Angelo Giulietti (1802-1892) was a jurist and wrote an essay on the old constitution of Montelparo (1878).
• Giuseppe Carboni (1856-1929) a Latin teacher and co-author of a Latin-Italian vocabulary. His remains are located next to the sarcophagus in the church of Sant’Antonio.
• Paola Renata Carboni (1908-1927). Daughter of Raffaele di Ortezzano, medical officer of Montelfalcone Appenino and Grottazzolina. She was venerated in 1993.
• Ennio Carboni (1913-1991) a priest and Mathematics teacher.
• Tarcisio Carboni (1923-1995) a missionary in Brazil and Bishop of Macerata.
• Marcello Savini (1928-1995) a painter and a sculptor.
• Romolo Savini (1938-1990) a surgeon who specialised in Orthopaedics and Traumatology.

Places to Visit

In the old centre one can admire the castle ruins, which rose around a central lookout tower (9th century) that is now the present house of Malaspina. There is another tower of Ghibelline form with an open pentagonal base, walls constructed in the 14th century with portals and vaults in a Gothic style.

The following churches are worthy of interest:

• Church of Carmine (1715-1725): founded by the Papetti brothers, it is home to some xylographies (via Crucis – the way of the Lord) by Ceschini and a work of art by Maratta. The building of the Fountain da Bora is attributed to the same family.
• Church of San Girolamo (1767-1773): on the major altar by Domenico Zampieri a copy of the painting by Pavese about Domenichino is preserved. Above a side door you can see the oldest coat of arms of the village (1637), depicting three mountains with a flower over the central one.
• Church of Santa Maria: this church is situated in the square, it was once located outside the walls. It is of Farfa origin and has since been rebuilt (1450) in the shape of a Greek cross, it was subsequently widened (1585) and had a bell tower added in 1759. The church is home to a painting on wood by Giovanni and Vincenzo Pagani (1509), a via Crucis by the Sebastiano Conca da Gaeta, a 14th century fresco fragment and a work of art by Carlo Maratta. There is also an organ constructed by Attili di Ortezzano, a work of art by Antonio Liozzi and, most importantly, a golden inscription on the cornice by Dante Alighieri.
• Heading downhill toward Sobborghi da sole, it is worth noting the restoration of the imposing city walls, the reduced towers and the numerous coats of arms. There is a fountain called Tre cannelle, or three taps, which was a crucial source of water to the local population until modern times.

There are several small villages and Hamlets worthy of note, here are a select few:

• Croce – there are several sights here, but the Church of Santa Maria in Nives (1641), of the Antonini family, is a definite highlight.
• Castellatta – was once an ancient colony (1148-1573), only the church of Santa Croce remains. The village was also once a likely Roman settlement due to the ancient walls that can be seen here as well.
• Cisterna – the first of several Picenian settlements in the region, referred to by Pliny as Urticinum. There is a fountain, and a little church still remains in this ancient village.
  San Massimo – Archaeological activity in the area uncovered ancient mosaics and, more recently, a kiln.

Nature Routes

Along the Aso river and on to the Indaco, one can appreciate the beautiful, dense vegetation that flourishes in the river basins. Beyond, the hills roll across the countryside crossed only occasionally by white roads and poplars.

Exhibitions and Folk Festivals

• Palm Sunday – historical commemoration of the Passion of Our Lord.
• Good Friday – solemn via Crucis
• 3rd Sunday of May – fair of flora and a garden market
• 2nd Sunday of June – festival of the vow, in honour of Santa Maria del Soccorso, flowers are strewn across the old centre’s streets.
• Last Sunday of July – festival of roast lamb co’vattuto
• 4th August – Night fair
• 3rd Sunday of August – il leccabaffi, gastronomic tasting.
• August – Ortezzano in Arte, painting and crafts fair.
• 3rd Sunday of September – wine festival, annual celebration of the wine pressing

Gastronomy

Local specialities include vincisgrassi, lamb, mutton, porchetta, salt pork, sausages, wine and fruit.