Piobbico is a municipality of Medieval origins and it’s located 339 meters above sea level, in a pleasant valley, protected by the Nerone (1526 m.) and Montiego (975 m.)mountains, at the confluence of the rivers Biscubio and Candigliano which join in the town centre.
It’s dominated by the imposing Nerone mountain, one of the highest peaks of the Marche- Umbrian Apennines which stands above the river Candigliano and it’s characterized by natural arches, gorges, spectacular canyons and narrow and deep valleys. In one of its caves, some of which are easily accessible, some bear bones dating back to thousand of years ago have been discovered. They’re exhibited at the local Town museum.
Many sports can be practised and different kinds of outing can be organized in Piobbico and its surroundings.
The history of this town was marked by the Brancaleoni family, who arrived here around the year 1000 and ruled it for about five centuries. At first they built an imposing castle on a spur of the Mount Nerone, then they moved to the valley and built their castle which was renovated during the years, between the 12th and 17th century, as a symbol of the strengthened family's prestige.
In the remarkable Palazzo Brancaleoni, which is located on a hill overlooking the confluence of the Candigliano and Pasubio rivers, various styles and architectural parts mix harmoniously. The building houses the town museum, a rich palaeontological and geological collection and it exhibits, among others, jewels and dresses of the Brancaleoni family.
In the outskirts of Piobbico there are other castles and strongholds which have become almost ruins. They were the hermitages, watch towers or old properties of the Brancaleoni family. Among the most important ones, worth visiting are the hermitage of Moribondo, the ruins of the castles of Mondelacasa, Castiglione and Pecorari.
Not to be missed is the Baroque church of St. Stefano, which was rebuilt in 1784 after an earthquake. It houses an important altar- piece by Federico Barocci: Rest on the Flight into Egypt (1593-1680) and a series of statues of prophets and biblical figures attributed to F. Brandani.
On the slopes of Mount Nerone, the sanctuary of S. Maria in Val d’Abisso, in Romanesque style, has a single nave and houses 16th century art works.
Since 1879 the town is home to the world's oldest ugly club, which counts more than 30.000 members and seats in 25 countries all over the world. The festa dei brutti (festival of the ugly) is held in Piobbico every September.
The ski resort Mount Nerone is in Piobbico. Located on the northwestern side of the mountain between 1290 and 1430 meters above sea level, it consists of the skilift Mandrione, 5 ski slopes for a total of 6,050 km and other services.
Among events, “La Fiorita” or Flower Carpet which takes place 60 days after Easter and following religious procession; on 8th September the traditional parade “Processione delle Rocche” ; The Renaissance Parade event which recalls the oath of allegiance made by Count Antonio II family in 1576, after the Battle of Lepanto, to the Duke of Urbino Francesco Maria II, after which large privileges will be granted to the family Brancaleoni; The Polenta alla carbonara cornmeal mush festival; the Cantine Brancaleoni wine bars ; in October the Mushroom festival; the living nativity scene at Christmas time; Costanzo Felici Award in honor of the doctor and naturalist Costanzo Felici who lived at the court of Brancaleoni in the first half of the sixteenth century.