Sant'Ippolito: Stonework in the Metauro Valley

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Sant'Ippolito, you will encounter a place whose character is shaped by sandstone, stonework and a green hilly landscape. Culture here cannot be limited to a single building: a museum spread throughout the municipality, a historical and artistic tour, and visible works on the houses combine local history with personal discovery.

Sandstone defines Sant'Ippolito

The Museo del Territorio - Arte degli Scalpellini contains information panels about work in the quarries, reconstructions of workshops, and a collection of tools and equipment used for working stone. The museum is spread throughout the area and is dedicated to promoting the old stoneworking tradition. Its documentation centre is located in Palazzo Bracci, which was built in the 19th century by one of the town's most important craftsmen.

Sant'Ippolito has been known since the 14th century for the work of its local stonemasons and marble workers. Today, the town forms a small open-air museum, where almost every house stands out with niches containing sculptures, portals, corbels, window frames and other decorations.

Historical traces between Castello and Palazzina

The fortification wall of the Castello di Sant'Ippolito, built entirely from sandstone, is still intact. Beneath a vault there is an inscription in Gothic script dating from the 12th century. The Chiesa di S. Ippolito is a parish church dating from around the 17th century. In the Pian di Rose area, the remains of a large Roman villa rustica from the 2nd century AD were discovered.

The Palazzina Sabatelli also brings together several historical periods. It has richly decorated interiors and developed around a tower with a dovecote. In the 17th century, several rooms were added, followed later by an elegant loggia, a portico and side stairways.

Tour and sandstone sculpture

A historical and artistic tour leads from the Museo del Territorio - Arte degli Scalpellini through the entire municipality. Along the route, sandstone works from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries can be seen on the exteriors of buildings. Every year in July, Scolpire in Piazza, an international art event dedicated to sandstone sculpture, takes place.

Landscape in the Metauro Valley

The landscape is also part of the townscape: the municipality lies on the edge of the broad and fertile Metauro Valley and is crossed by numerous watercourses. Green fields, rows of vines and scattered trees give the low hills their characteristic appearance.

Sant'Ippolito between cultural heritage, landscape and cycling route

Several specific themes come together in the town: the history of the stonemasons is reflected in the Museo del Territorio - Arte degli Scalpellini, in the historical and artistic tour through the municipality, and in the decorated houses. In addition, green fields, rows of vines, scattered trees and numerous watercourses shape the municipality on the edge of the Metauro Valley. Sant'Ippolito is connected to the Sant'Ippolito exit via the Fano–Grosseto SS 73bis – E78 expressway. The 138 km road cycling circuit also passes through Sant'Ippolito: Saltara – Sant'Ippolito – Fossombrone – Acqualagna – Fermignano – Urbino – Saltara.

Discover other destinations

For comparing other destinations, you can also consider Isola di Fano, Piobbico, Macerata Feltria, Gabicce Mare, Fano, San Costanzo, Massa and Fiorenzuola Di Focara.

For the higher-level travel overview: Pesaro - Urbino.