The Monastic Arts and the Territory of Serra de’ Conti – City Itinerary
The journey to discover Serra de’ Conti begins with the ancient castle walls, which still today house the medieval urban layout. Passing through the monumental fortified gate, you enter a intimate historic center, evocative and rich in evidence of the important monastic tradition that characterizes the area.
Just beyond the entrance door, on a side street of Corso Roma, you come across the ancient Monastery of Santa Maria Maddalena, a hub of female religious life for centuries and today a place that introduces you to the silent and contemplative atmosphere of the village. Next to it stands the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, recognizable for its particular architecture and an integral part of the convent complex.
The tour continues in the heart of the town where, inside the Town Hall, is the Museum of Monastic Arts “The Rooms of Suspended Time”, unique in its kind. Here, the museum experience becomes a true journey into the daily lives of cloistered communities, revealing gestures, knowledge, and traditions that have profoundly influenced the identity of the area.
A few steps away is the ancient Cloister of San Francesco, now the Town Hall: a place that retains the original tranquility of Franciscan convents and that reveals another side of local spirituality.
Not far away, along a street parallel to Corso Roma, is the Church of Santa Croce, located on Via Garibaldi, in a quiet area that maintains the character of the historic village intact.
Returning to Corso Roma, we find the old Paggi workshop, a true “time treasure trove” that preserves original 19th-century rooms and objects, offering a precious glimpse into everyday life in the past.
Continuing along the course you come across the Church of San Michele, one of the oldest in the town, linked to the Benedictine presence. A little further on, there is the Church of San Fortunato, recognizable by its valuable terracotta portal and the fifteenth-century pictorial testimonies preserved inside.
Close to the historic center is also the Church of Santa Maria de Abbatissis, one of the oldest places of worship in the area, linked to Benedictine history and the figure of Blessed Gherardo.
Leaving the historic center, the itinerary opens towards the countryside, where two symbols of the area’s identity emerge. The first is the Hoffmann Furnace, an important example of industrial archaeology that testifies to the production past linked to clay processing. The second is the monumental Cerqua Grossa, an imposing centuries-old tree that dominates the rural landscape and represents one of the most precious natural monuments in the region.
The tour concludes with a journey through walls, cloisters, shops, churches, museums, and natural landscapes: a journey that combines art, spirituality, work, and nature, revealing the profound soul of Serra de’ Conti and its ancient monastic traditions.
TASTE STOP
During or at the end of the itinerary you can allow yourself a pleasant break in the name of local flavours. You can stop for coffee at one of the downtown bars, such as Bar Italia, or enjoy traditional Marche dishes at recommended restaurants, including L’Infinito Country House and Il Convivium, where local produce and home-cooked cuisine reveal another authentic face of Serra de’ Conti.
SHOPPING STOP
The historic center also offers some small commercial establishments that retain the charm of the artisan tradition and hospitality of the past. Among these stand out the historic Forno Olivetti, which bakes fresh bread and pastries every day, and Luana Intimo, with its assortment of high-quality clothing and items. Numerous other shops and shops enrich the visiting experience, inviting you to discover products and stories related to the area.
