Rotella is on the slopes of Mount Ascension, in the Marche’s inland, at the confluence of the Oste stream in the Tesino river. It belongs to the association of the Authentic villages of Italy. The name could be traced back to the Latin word Rotula, which indicated the shield of the Roman soldiers, or may refer to the location of the manor, located on a bight of a river; according to a more certain source, Rotella derives from the diminutive of the Latin word rota (small wheel). Although the town has been forced in recent years to an almost total redevelopment due to continuous landslides, the architectural heritage is still remarkable: sacred buildings and remains of the fortifications are scattered throughout the town. In Poggio Canoso area, dominated by the fortress, there’s the parish church, with a Romanesque portal a precious painting by Pietro Alemanno; frescoes and precious reliquaries can be found in various religious buildings in Castel di Croce and Capradosso areas; the eleventh century Church of Verdiente is in Icone area. The church has a rectangular shape (1200 x 500), with round apse facing east and full of frescoes. In Torbidello area, in a small clearing at the foot of Mount Ascension, there is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Consolation or Montemisio. The church was built by the monks of Farfa on the ruins of a pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis or Artemisia. In the village the worth visiting attractions are : the impressive fifteenth-century clock tower; the rectangular shaped collegiate church of Santa Maria and San Lorenzo (1767), boasting paintings by Filippo Ricci; the Piccolomini museum of sacred art, housing valuable reliquaries. The major events taking place in Rotella throughout the year are: the Feast of San Lorenzo, the town’s Patron, and the Feast of Our Lady of Montemisio (August).

 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.