The territory has fascinating landscape and naturalistic views, and there are also important historical testimonies.
Piobbico is located in the Umbrian-Marche Apennines. It stands in a valley enclosed between two mountains, Monte Nerone (1526 m) and Monte Montiego (975 m), and is bathed by the Biscubio and Candigliano rivers, which join together right in the town centre.
The origin of the name Piobbico dates back to Roman times: following the social war, all the territories that did not rebel against Rome should have obtained the “right of citizenship”. At the end of the social war, the territories were centuriated, but the part close to Monte Nerone was excluded from the assignments and remained ager publicus. Over the years, publicus evolved into plobicus, plobici up to the current Piobbico.
What to visit
Main Events
Brancaleoni Palio and Contesa della Pannocchia
The town returns to the splendor of the Renaissance, recalling the history of the noble Brancaleoni family.
August
Presepe Viviente - The Live Nativity Scene
Suggestive Reenactment of the Nativity
December
Sagra nazionale del polentone alla carbonara (National Festival of Polenta alla Carbonara) and Festival dei Brutti (World Festival of the Ugly)
The gastronomic and folkloristic tradition unique in its kind for taste and originality
September
Contacts
Tourist Information And Reception Office
Via Roma (c/o Edicola Anacleto)
0722/986225 – 333/7922408
anche per info Palazzo Brancaleoni, Museo e Area Camper – disponibile anche whatsapp
servizioturismo@comune.piobbico.pu.it
www.piobbicowelcome.it
Piobbico in the Alta Val Metauro
Find out more about Piobbico
The presence of rivers and natural cavities have allowed the settlement of some populations since prehistoric times in this area, as evidenced by some findings of arrows and various tools.
There are also testimonies of the Etruscans and Romans, but the true history of the town is identified with the Brancaleoni family. Around the year 1000 the territory was entrusted as a fief to this family, and for almost five centuries the town developed under their rule. In these years the castle, the underlying village, the churches, the entire old part of the town, and the various villas and surrounding villages, following the abolition of feudalism were incorporated into the village of Piobbico. From the beginning of the 12th century Piobbico was a lordship of the Brancaleoni who came to dominate the whole of Massa Trabaria, but due to its opposition to Cardinal Albornoz, then Pope Martin V it definitively lost its possessions to the benefit of the Feltreschi in the mid-15th century. Only on 21 December 1827 by decree of Leo XII Piobbico became an autonomous municipality, and its coat of arms became a bare arm holding up an oak tree.
Most of the present monuments date back to the period of settlement of the Brancaleoni family.
History, Tradition and Folklore
There are many events that identify Piobbico as a town that is loyal to its origins and traditions. The Palio dei Brancaleoni, the Sagra del Polentone alla Carbonara and the World Festival of the Ugly, the Live Nativity Scene and the Procession of the Rocche are events that encompass the beauty, the good, the traditional and the history of the Piobbichese community.
Surroundings and Nature
The municipal territory of Piobbico is dotted with fortresses and castles partially reduced to ruins on the hills surrounding the town, which served as guard posts, hermitages, or old properties belonging to the Brancaleoni.
The most important are:
Morimondo Hermitage. Immersed in pristine greenery, the ruins of the ancient building are still visible. The sacred building was chosen as a burial place by many Brancaleoni. It stood near the stream, still today called Fosso dell’Eremo; it began to fall into disrepair from the 17th century and was deconsecrated at the beginning of the 19th century.
I Muracci ovvero Mon de la casa was the original home of the Brancaleoni which stood on a slope of Mount Nerone.
Castello dei Pecorari, built at the end of the 12th century, dominates the left side of the upper course of the Candigliano river: original possession of the Brancaleoni since the 13th century, in 1446 it passed into the hands of their rivals Ubaldini, by will of Federico da Montefeltro, lord of Urbino.
Gorges and cliffs dominate the territory surrounding the town, immersing it in a unique and inimitable naturalistic setting.
There are many footpaths and cycle routes in excellent condition, enabling their many users to venture into the green of nature and discover breathtaking views.
