In the hamlet Braccano, near Matelica, surrounded by the San Vicino mountain chain, after a 30 minute walk ,  it’s possible to get to the ancient abbey of San Maria de Rotis, unfortunately abandoned. Nevertheless the wonderful natural scenery which surrounds  it and the lack of human settlements gives the impression that here time has stood still, as if you were back to the time of the first monastic settlements.

Little is known of its history because many of the documents of the archives were burnt by a fire in the 18^th century. In 1195 a abbot of Santa Maria de Rotis is mentioned in  a document, but the abbey was probably built before, as at that time the monastery was already in its heyday. At the beginning of the 14^th century it was attacked by the people from Matelica and it started its decline. Afterwards, it was held in commendam in the 15^th century  and it was definitely assigned to the goods of the Chapter of the Collegiate church of Santa Maria di Piazza in Matelica. Of the old building there are only some parts of the church left.

Due to the earthquake occurred in 2016, the church has collapsed.