Montalto delle Marche rises between the Aso and Tesino valleys. It is situated at 512 meters above sea level in the heart of the Piceno hillside and has a superb all round view of the uncontaminated surrounding Marchigiani hillsides as well as a view of the sea and the snowy tops of the Sibillini mountains. 
Woods, vineyards and hillside olive yards gradually make way to the fruit orchards near the Aso river valley which still today works a XVI century water mill. The central position of Montalto had already been considered in the medieval  by the Benedettini monks from Farfa who chose the convent of Saint Augustine as the seat of the provincial congregation of 15 territories of the Farfense ruling.

In year 1215 Saint Francis of Assisi, according to tradition, chose this territory to spread his teaching and built the convent of “Delle Fratte” in the heart of  a century old wood. The convent is full of frescoes from the Giotto school period.

Felice Peretti studied in this convent and was elected pope in 1585 under the name of Sisto V. He gave Montalto a city title making it head of an autonomous ruling. He also made precious gifts to his hometown, such as the unique reliquary which is housed in the Museo Sistino Vescovile (Bishop's Museum). After the earthquake in the year 2016 it's been wrapped up). Thanks to the many of the privileges granted to his most beloved hometown, as well as some remarkable works of art Montalto delle Marche became a very lively and rich cultural centre and it could take advantage of some privileges until the Unification of Italy.

Giuseppe Sacconi, the architect who designed the monument of Vittorio Emanuele II, located in the centre of Rome, was born in Montalto delle Marche. His studio has been recreated in the Town Picture Gallery.

The Town Hall houses also other two museums: the Museo delle carceri (Prison museum) where you can see at the walls graffiti and drawings by prisoners and where you can listen to their real stories told by a theatre group, and the museum "Water, Earth and Canvas" ( museo "L'Acqua, la Terra, la Tela").

Worth visiting are the hamlets Patrignone, Porchia and Valdaso.

The historic center, the monuments and the museums of the town are partially accessible. For information please write to Toll-free Number Marche Tourism (numeroverde.turismo@regione.marche.it) or contact the phone numbers listed below.