It is among the most beautiful villages to visit in the Marche. The town is famous for hosting one of the oldest castles in the area ... The Della Pieve Castle... #tuttitaly
In the upper Val Metauro, at an altitude of 429 meters above sea level, stands Mercatello sul Metauro. The municipality has 1320 inhabitants and is crossed by the Metauro River, the main one in terms of length in the Marche region.
The suggestive village has maintained its medieval aspect and is surrounded by ancient walls. Its origins date back to the 12th century BC, thanks to the Umbrians. Over the centuries, it has passed under the control of the Romans.
Destroyed by the barbarian invasions, it was rebuilt by the Lombards in the 6th century. Later it was brought as a dowry to the Duke of Urbino, and in 1636 it became part of the Papal State.
The center develops around Piazza Garibaldi, overlooked by the most characteristic and significant buildings of the village: the 17th century Palazzo Gasparini; the Town Hall, built in the 1870s; the Collegiate Pieve, which in the outer wall retains parts of the primitive Romanesque construction dating back to the 10th century.
Among the religious buildings, the Church of San Francesco, in the primitive Gothic style from the 13th century, is significant. It houses a collection of paintings from the thirteenth to the seventeenth century. Also not to be missed are the Church of Santa Croce and the Church of Santa Chiara.
Precisely for the beauty and uniqueness of the historic center, for the quality of the services offered, and for the protection of the environment and the landscape, Mercatello has received two important awards: the Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club and inclusion in the most beautiful villages of Italy.
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