Itinerary nr. 2 - Divine Comedy's Landscapes
Frontone, Monte Catria, Fonte Avellana
Begin on Starda Provinciale ( main road from il Borghetto ) towards Frontone, Serra S.Abbondio. After about 20 minutes you will reach Serra S. Abbondio. From there, follow indications for Monastero di Fonte Avellana which will lead you to the Monastery. The Monastery of Fonte Avellana is located on the slopes of Mount Catria in Serra Sant’Abbondio. The monastery of Fonte Avellana, most famous monasteries in Italy. Founded in 980, visited by Dante in 1310 and cited in the Divine Comedy, and once presided over by St Peter Damian, this is one of the few monasteries in the Marche which retains its medieval monastic form. Today, Fonte Avellana is once again a working monastery and its beautifully austere structure has been fully restored. Amongst the most notable aspects of the site are its crypt, its church, it library and also the old pharmacy, which still prepares traditional cures.
From Fonte Avellana head towards Frontone. Frontone is often described as the Marche region’s “Little Switzerland” for its healthy air and mild climate, Frontone stands at an altitude of 450 metres and has 1360 inhabitants.
It is situated at the source of the Cinisco torrent, in the far corner of the Province of Pesaro and Urbino, and includes within its boundaries most of that “humpback ridge called Catria” (Dante, Paradise, Canto XXI). The history of Frontone is linked above all to that of its castle, which princes and warriors fought for the control of the surrounding lands. Today it is one of the finer examples of 11th century military architecture. There are three restaurants near the castel offering traditional foods and a delicious ice cream shop for a super mid day snack !
From Frontone drive towards Buonconsiglio and where the uphill road to Mount Catria begins. An afternoon in Mount Catria ( 1702mt) , with it’s majestic views, trails for long nature walks, praries, mountain bikiing in the summer and snow fun activities, including skiing and Nordic walking in winter. Don’t miss walking up to the iron cross on top of Mount Catria ..on a rare clear day many excursionists say you can see Croatia and the Adriatic Coast!
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