Montone: Towers, Churches and History

If you are interested in medieval fortifications and churches, Montone offers several distinct historical landmarks: three surviving towers, the building history of Santa Maria Assunta and a Gothic tomb. The Belvedere, for which the town is known, is another highlight. These structures and their dates illustrate different chapters of the town’s history, which can usefully be considered separately.

Medieval fortifications and the Belvedere

Only three towers of Montone’s medieval fortifications survive today. The fortifications were raised around 1390. This date refers to an alteration to the walls, while the three towers mark what remains. The largest of these towers stands in the highest part of the town, behind the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate. This places two specific landmarks close together: a remnant of the fortifications and the church. Montone is also known for its Belvedere. Together, they offer different points of reference for exploring this historic town, without equating the surviving towers with the original extent of the fortifications.

Santa Maria Assunta: Building history and art

Santa Maria Assunta represents a different timeline. The church is first mentioned in documents in 1575; however, construction of the present church did not begin until 1914. At the time, Don Gaetano Cardelli was the parish priest, and the design was by Francesco Patella of Mosciano. The present church was consecrated in May 1934. These dates mark different milestones: 1575 for the first documentary mention, 1914 for the start of the present building and 1934 for its consecration.

Built entirely of brick masonry, the church has a distinctive façade. Its pointed-arch portal is flanked on each side by two additional pointed-arch arcades. The paintings also form a distinct part of the church: among the old, finely executed works are the Annunciation, the Madonna del Carmine, the Last Supper and the Madonna del Rosario. Santa Maria Assunta thus offers a way to distinguish between the building’s design and its religious imagery.

Sant’Antonio Abate and the Gothic tomb

The Church of Sant’Antonio Abate also has its own building history: it was restored in the Baroque style at the beginning of the 19th century. The Church of Sant’Antonio houses the stone sarcophagus of Bucciarello di Jacopo di Bartolomeo, a Gothic work of art dating from 1390. The sarcophagus was moved there after San Jacopo fuori le Mura was decommissioned as a church and converted into a cemetery. The date around 1390 also appears in Montone in connection with the raising of the medieval fortifications. These refer to different historical objects: here, a tomb; there, the town walls.

Getting there and planning your visit

Montone can be reached by car via the A14; the possible exits are Teramo, Giulianova and Mosciano Sant’Angelo. The Strada Provinciale 262 DIR and Strada Provinciale 15A then continue in the direction of Giulianova and Mosciano Sant’Angelo. Check road conditions and your specific route before setting out.

The Festa dei Santi Giacomo e Anna was announced in Montone for 25 and 26 July. If the festival is a deciding factor in choosing your travel dates, check the dates before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Colledara, Martinsicuro, Controguerra, Tossicia, Cermignano, Rocca Santa Maria, Notaresco, Sant'egidio Alla Vibrata.

For the main travel overview: Teramo.