Monte Priora, Mountain summit in Province of Fermo, Italy
Monte Priora is a 2,333 m limestone peak in the Sibillini Mountains, in the municipality of Montefortino (Fermo), with a pyramidal shape defined by three ridges. Its north face, the Ara della Regina, is a steep meadow dropping to the upper Ambro glacial valley; the south side forms the left wall of the Infernaccio gorge above the Tenna. Pastures begin at 1,600–1,700 m, with beech woods below.
The mountain's name derives from Monte del Priore, after the prior who headed the ancient Camaldolese hermitage of San Leonardo built on its slopes. The hermitage still stands on a rocky knoll in the beech woods of the eastern ridge, above the Infernaccio gorge. Since 1993 the slopes have been managed by the Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini.
The name Monte del Priore, found in old documents, refers to the prior who led the Camaldolese friars' hermitage of San Leonardo on the mountain's slopes. The summit is also called Pizzo della Regina, a name of uncertain origin; legend says a slab bearing the name Monte Regina was once found at the hermitage, and some link it to Queen Sibilla of nearby Monte Sibilla.
The mountain is accessible via several hiking trails of varying difficulty, with easier routes starting from towns in the Province of Fermo. It is wise to start early in the day and bring weather-appropriate gear, as conditions at the summit can shift quickly.
On the southern buttresses above the Infernaccio gorge, a natural stone arch is known as the Tempio della Sibilla, and the rock pillar beside it is pierced by a hole running right through the stone. The waters of the Fonte di Traco spring from the cliffs just below. In summer 2019 a herd of Abruzzo chamois, recently reintroduced on Monte Bove, was confirmed here.
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