History

Italy is a very young country only having become a united nation in 1860. Le Marche like all of what is now Italy has a rich history that has left its mark and shaped the countryside and most significantly the towns and villages. Perhaps more than any other European country history can be read through study of the character of what remains. Italians are emencly proud of their inheritance and this part of Le Marche has recently undergone a face lift with many of the towns being restored to former glories.

Before the arrival of the Romans in the 6th century BC the two significant tribes of the region were the Piceni in the east and the Umbri in the west. Le Marche is rich in Roman remains, there is a significant Roman temple site just five minutes from Montalto and other examples within easy reach.

As with most of Italy the most significant legacy in this region is from medieval, Renaissance and later papal building. Evidence of all three meld to create an evocative visual character unique to Italy and it is this amalgam of historic design that creates the atmosphere so sort after by visitors through the ages.