Montemonaco lies in the the Appennine mountains of Marche, by the eastern slopes of the Sibillini Mountains National Park. It offers a suggestive view of Mount Vettore and Mount Sibilla. It was founded by Benedictine monks who strongly stimulated the activities and the organization of the territory. Here the Cave of the Sybil Museum can be visited, which gives value to the story and to the legends of the place. According to the legend, in fact, the place was called “Mons Demoniacus”(The Devil’s Mountain), as it was a meeting point for wizards, necromancers and sorcerers, where pagan rites connected to the Cave of the Sybil and to Pilate lake were practiced. The Cave of the Sybil is currently not accessible. From the borough of Foce it is possible to get to the Pilate lake, the only natural basin in Marche boasting a glacial origin, 1940 meters above sea level. In medieval legends it became the lake where the bones of the Roman procurer who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus were thrown. In its basin lives Chirocephalus marchesonii, a microscopic crustacean, unique in the world. Many excursions on foot can be made in the surrounding territory.