Montemonaco, Italian comune
Montemonaco is a small commune in the Marche region situated at nearly 1,000 meters above sea level in the mountains. It consists of multiple tiny villages with old stone buildings spread across a wide area, some perched on gentle hillsides and others tucked into higher valleys.
The town was a fortified settlement in the Middle Ages with walls and a small castle founded by Benedictine monks who cleared the land for farming. In the 13th century it became a free town, breaking away from feudal control and being governed by a local council.
The name originates from the Middle Ages, meaning "fortress of monks", and Benedictine monks shaped the town's religious and social life. Today, this heritage appears in local festivals dedicated to Saint Benedict and in the churches scattered through the villages.
The best way to reach the town is from the A14 highway, turning toward Ascoli Piceno and then following smaller roads through lovely landscapes. Buses connect to Ascoli Piceno, and the nearest airport is in Ancona, about two hours away.
The nearby Lago di Pilato is the only glacier-fed lake in the Apennines and carries an old legend saying that guards transporting the body of Pontius Pilate from Rome drowned in its waters. The lake and surrounding landscape have remained largely wild and untouched.
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