Municipality of
Rotella
On the gentle slopes of Mount Ascension lie not only the main town of Rotella, but also its charming hamlets: Capradosso, Castel di Croce and Poggio Canoso. In the past, these hamlets were castles and independent municipalities of medieval origin. Founded under Benedictine influence, they later developed into fortified settlements thanks to the monks of Farfa, before entering the sphere of influence of the State of Ascoli Piceno and, subsequently, of the Papal States.
History
Rotella, a small town in the Marche region, is a place where history and legend intertwine. Its origins are lost in time: pre-Roman traces and archaeological finds bear witness to ancient human settlement, while the name itself may derive from the rotula, the round Roman shield, evoking the rounded shape of the village. According to oral tradition, however, the name may instead be a tribute to the consul Rutilius, who is linked to a legendary refoundation of the village after an earthquake. The first historical document dates back to 967, when the “Court of Rotella” was under the Presidato of Farfa. Later, Rotella came under the control of Ascoli and experienced periods of peace. The village, however, was not spared dramatic events. In 1775, a devastating landslide swallowed up churches, palaces and part of the eastern settlement. The bell tower, which survived the destruction, is now the symbol of the village’s resilience. Rotella invites visitors to discover its stories, among rebuilt walls, memories of an intense past and landscapes that reveal the soul of the Marche region. It is a place to be experienced, with all the charm of a land that never ceases to surprise.
Curiosity
Mount Ascension was once known as Mount Polesio, a name linked to Polisia, a legendary figure connected to an ancient female pagan cult and later reinterpreted through Christian tradition. According to the legend, after converting to Christianity, Polisia chose to throw herself from a cliff rather than be captured by pagan soldiers. That cliff still bears her name today. It is said that, deep in the gorge below, the echoes of Polisia can still be heard as she weaves and guards a hen with golden chicks. Mount Ascension is therefore a sacred mountain, crossed by myths and legends of hidden treasures, lunar deities, and ancient rituals linked to grain, harvests and the fertility of the land.
For art lovers
For art lovers, a stop at the Sistine Museum is not to be missed. The museum preserves precious legacies from the time of Pope Sixtus V, together with reliquaries linked to Monsignor Ariodante Ciccolini, a prominent local clergyman who was active in Rome in the 18th century. Also splendid are the 15th-century frescoes of the Oratory of the Verdiente, which is open by reservation only. Mini-guide to the Sistine Museum and the Village from the point of view of the students of class II Lower Secondary School - Castignano Istituto Omnicomprensivo Rotella-Montalto school year 2025/26
Typical products
Marroncino of Mount Ascension
The marroncino is a chestnut cultivar typical of the slopes of the mountain from which it takes its name. For many years, this generous product was a staple food for the ancient rural populations of the area. Today, it is prepared in many different ways in local traditional recipes, including Carnival ravioli and dishes with salt cod. The traditional harvesting and processing methods are especially famous. One of these is the ricciaia, a drying process in which chestnut burrs are gathered into piles of branches and leaves, allowing the chestnuts to ripen evenly. The pedoclimatic and human factors of the area have created an ecotype of great agronomic importance, which is celebrated every autumn during the festival of Capradosso.
Salt cod
Salt cod with Marroncino of Mount Ascension and a soup made with legumes and marroncino chestnuts.
Capocollo
Pork capocollo served with Marroncino of Mount Ascension.
Outstanding wines
The terroir of Mount Ascension creates the right conditions for a significant number of wine denominations: Rosso Piceno Superiore DOC, Offida Rosso DOCG, Offida Pecorino DOCG, Offida Passerina DOCG and Marche IGT. A large part of the production is dedicated to organic wines, born from a deep respect for the land. The three wineries in the area offer cellar visits and tastings, direct sales, and also host events and weddings. Cheese production is also extremely important. In Capradosso, you will find two farms offering direct sales. Their delicious cheeses give visitors the chance to immerse themselves in a green landscape, surrounded by stories of families and passions that continue to carry forward a tradition and a vocation with courage.
Monuments
Civic Clock
Tower
Church of
Santa Viviana
Church of
SS Maria e Lorenzo
Chestnut Festival – Capradosso
The Chestnut Festival has returned to Capradosso with food stands offering dishes made with chestnuts and other traditional local specialities, accompanied by vino novello, the new wine of the season. The festival creates an atmosphere that attracts visitors from all over Italy, renewing a tradition that has continued for more than half a century. In October, the square of Capradosso, a small hamlet in the village of Rotella, comes alive once again for a two-day event dedicated to the Marroncini of Mount Ascension.
Feast in honour of Santa Viviana
This is a celebration deeply felt by the people of Rotella, who honour the saint between the end of August and the beginning of September. Food stands, music and dancing will allow you to spend two days immersed in tradition and surrounded by the warmth of the people of Rotella.
Feast in honour of San Lorenzo
On 10 and 11 August, Rotella celebrates its patron saint with stands offering traditional food and wine products typical of the local area. After the traditional procession, musical and theatrical events bring the evening to life.
Address: Via S. Rocco, 20 - Capradosso - 63071 Rotella (AP), Italy
Phone: +39 340 3190214 · +39 347 2430633
Email: polarispicenohomespa@gmail.com
Website: https://polarispicenohomespa.it/
Social: —
La Canosa - Holiday Accommodation / Hospitality
Address: Contrada San Pietro, 6 - Castel di Croce hamlet - 63071 Rotella (AP), Italy
Phone: +39 0736 901298 · +39 345 4068569
Email: ufficio@lacanosaagricola.it
Website: https://www.lacanosaagricola.it/
Social: https://www.instagram.com/cantinalacanosa/
Location: Capradosso - Rotella (AP), Italy
Phone: +39 333 6308265
Address: Contrada Laca, 7 - Capradosso - 63071 Rotella (AP), Italy
Phone: +39 0736 374549 · +39 334 5885900
Email: —
Website: https://www.ristorantelamadonnina.net/
Social: https://www.facebook.com/LaMadonninaRistorante/ · https://www.instagram.com/ristorante_la_madonnina/
Experience: Wine tasting and cellar visit
Address: Contrada San Pietro, 6 - Castel di Croce hamlet - 63071 Rotella (AP), Italy
Phone: +39 0736 901298 · +39 345 4068569
Email: ufficio@lacanosaagricola.it
Website: https://www.lacanosaagricola.it/ita/visite-in-cantina/
Social: https://www.instagram.com/cantinalacanosa/
Marroncino dell’Ascensione Chestnut Harvest
Experience: Harvesting Marroncino dell’Ascensione chestnuts in the chestnut groves
Period: October / by calendar and reservation
Contact: Borghiotto Cultural Association
Location: Poggio Canoso - Rotella (AP), Italy
Phone: —
Email: —
Website: —
Social: https://www.instagram.com/borghiotto/
Farm Visit - Le Capre di Capradosso
Experience: Farm visit and introduction to goat cheese production
Address: Contrada Monte, 2 - 63071 Rotella (AP), Italy
Phone: +39 331 7019299 · +39 349 6074607
Email: caprecapradosso@gmail.com
Website: —
Social: https://www.facebook.com/caprecapradosso/ · https://www.instagram.com/le_caprecapradosso/
Products: Wines
Address: Contrada Laura, 1 - 63071 Rotella (AP), Italy
Phone: +39 0736 374499 · +39 333 8551627
Email: info@vinilecasette.it
Website: https://www.vinilecasette.it/
Social: —
Quntì
Products: Wines
Vineyard address: Contrada Torbidello - 63071 Rotella (AP), Italy
Phone: +39 338 3334787 · +39 338 6379394
Email: info@qunti.it
Website: https://www.qunti.it/
Social: https://www.facebook.com/cantinaquntiufficiale/
La Canosa
Products: Wines
Address: Contrada San Pietro, 6 - Castel di Croce hamlet - 63071 Rotella (AP), Italy
Phone: +39 0736 901298 · +39 0736 374556 · +39 345 4068569
Email: ufficio@lacanosaagricola.it
Website: https://www.lacanosaagricola.it/
Social: https://www.instagram.com/cantinalacanosa/
Eredi Pacioni Farm
Products: Cheese
Phone: +39 0736 374135 · +39 335 6751547
Le Capre di Capradosso
Products: Goat cheese
Address: Contrada Monte, 2 - 63071 Rotella (AP), Italy
Phone: +39 331 7019299 · +39 349 6074607
Email: caprecapradosso@gmail.com
Website: —
Social: https://www.facebook.com/caprecapradosso/ · https://www.instagram.com/le_caprecapradosso/
Società Agricola Rotella
Products: Milk and cheese
Address: Contrada Valle, 2 - 63071 Rotella (AP), Italy
Phone: +39 0736 497325
Email: info@agricolarotella.it
Website: https://agricolarotella.it/
Social: https://www.facebook.com/societaagricolarotella/ · https://www.instagram.com/societaagricolarotella/
Frati Il Mandorlo
Products: Cheese / farm products
Email: comunitailmandorlo@gmail.com
Paolo Cataldi Farm
Products: Marroncino dell’Ascensione chestnuts
Phone: +39 333 2227451
Paolo Diamanti Farm
Products: Marroncino dell’Ascensione chestnuts
Address: Contrada Montemisio, 9 - Rotella (AP), Italy
Phone: +39 338 4796845
Stefania Angelini
Products: Marroncino dell’Ascensione chestnuts
Phone: +39 339 8642613