Montappone: Straw Hat Tradition and Church Art

Montappone between Straw Hats and Sacred Art

Montappone is known for producing classic, handcrafted straw hats. The local tradition of straw processing was already practised in the 18th century. This makes it a destination where craftsmanship, sacred art and orientation through the historic centre come together for you.

Craftsmanship at the Museo del Cappello

At the Museo del Cappello, straw hat production illustrates the process from harvesting and selecting the straw through plaiting and sewing to decorating and selling the hat. Particularly noteworthy is the last hat worn by Federico Fellini, which is on display there.

The Museo del Cappello can be visited by prior reservation. If you are interested in the local craft tradition, this visit is therefore one of the cultural experiences you can specifically plan for your stay in Montappone.

At the “Il cappello di Paglia” festival, more than 200 participants show visitors in the historic centre how a straw hat is made, from harvesting and plaiting to sewing. The festival takes place in Montappone at the end of July and stages the craft tradition as a shared event.

Churches with Art and History

The churches of Montappone also offer several ways to explore the town’s history. The Oratorio del Santissimo Sacramento has a 14th-century terracotta portal. The Oratorio del SS. Sacramento contains 16th-century frescoes, including “Madonna con il Bambino tra i SS. Giovanni Battista e Giorgio”.

The Chiesa di Santa Maria in Castello stands at the highest point of Montappone’s historic centre and dates back to the 18th century. Its altar is adorned with a Madonna and Child by Pomarancio.

The Chiesa Parrocchiale di S. Maria e S. Giorgio houses a 15th-century reliquary cross. The parish church of S. Giorgio also preserves a painting from the school of Pomarancio entitled “Madonna con Bambino e Santi”.

Piazza Castello and Views over the Landscape

The promenade around Piazza Castello offers a viewpoint with views stretching from the Sibillini Mountains to Monte Conero. You can reach Piazza Castello via Via Giacomo Leopardi, lined with lime trees. In this way, exploring the town combines a distinctive landscape panorama with a route through Montappone’s historic surroundings.

Planning the Right Holiday Apartment in Montappone

If you are considering a holiday apartment in Montappone, you can tailor your stay to your own interests: the straw hat tradition, the artworks in the churches, the views around Piazza Castello or the festival at the end of July. This allows you to give your trip its own balance between a museum visit, exploring the town and experiencing the landscape, without any fixed itinerary being prescribed.

More destinations to discover at your own pace: Altidona, Petritoli, Montegiorgio, Belmonte Piceno, Monte Giberto, Ortezzano, Sant'elpidio A Mare, Servigliano

To the higher-level travel overview: Fermo.