Borgo Grottammare Alta

Borgo Grottammare Alta is an old village perched on a hilltop above the coastal town of Grottammare in the Marche region of Italy. It is made up of tightly clustered stone houses connected by narrow winding streets and staircases, with views of the sea and surrounding countryside from various points throughout the settlement.

The village originated from a Benedictine monastery and was built on the hilltop between the 8th and 9th centuries as a fortified settlement. In the 16th century, walls were reinforced and towers added to protect residents from pirate raids, creating the defensive structures visible today.

Residents gather in small squares and along narrow streets, where morning coffee and conversation remain part of daily life that travelers can observe today. The stone houses, colorful shutters, and simple architectural details reflect how people have organized their living spaces and community for centuries.

Comfortable walking shoes are essential since the streets are narrow, uneven, and steep with many staircases between alleys. The village has limited parking but offers three free areas around the perimeter, with a short walk from any of them to reach the town center.

The village is home to a modest statue of Pope Sixtus V, who was born here in 1587, with a theater in the main square named after his family. Most visitors overlook this connection to a major historical figure, missing how the village celebrates this local connection through its architecture and monuments.