Sant’Agata Feltria: A Sanctuary of Nature and Spirituality
Sant’Agata Feltria is a charming medieval hamlet where the town has grown throughout the ages around the fortress that dominates the summit of a small hill. The tale states that a chunk of rock broke off from Mount Hercules during a landslide. It was the site of a church that was named after the saint, and the little village that sprang up around it also had its name taken from that church.
Up until 2009, Sant’Agata Feltria was a municipality in the Marche. However, in a vote, the locals said they felt more like Romagna than the Marche.
Considering its modest population, the land of Sant’Agata, which is bordered by several rivers, is regarded as rather large. Important families that have greatly enhanced the town’s artistic and cultural history have lived in Savio and Marecchia over the ages.
While none of Sant’Agata’s mountains rise to a height of 1000 meters, the province’s boundary with Monte Pian di Rote, on the first Apennine valleys, is home to the region’s highest peak.
History
Few remnants of Sant’Agata’s past remain because of the multiple landslides that have destroyed the town. Historians have now verified, meanwhile, that the region was formerly home to people of Umbrian descent. The Solonate, so called because of the name of their city, Solona, was one of these peoples.
Many experts insist that Solona was none other than the ancient Sant’Agata Feltria, despite the lack of conclusive proof. The first urban works were then built with the advent of the Romans. Two consular routes are still discernible today: one is close to Marecchia, and the other—more significant—goes from Romagnano to Pian di Bezzo, the site of a former necropolis.
The region of Sant’Agata Feltria, once held by the Church, was subsequently given to a number of lords. The Cavalcaconte family, who controlled the city, was one of them and they had plans to construct the fortification and the now-college chapel.
Two families, the Montefeltros of Urbino and the Malatestas of Rimini, fought it out for control of the hamlet in the 1400s. The latter eventually triumphed after the former ruled for a few years. The Montefeltro family brought about a time of immense grandeur for Sant’Agata. A palace was constructed to house the new rulers once the stronghold was repaired; however, a landslide destroyed all memory of it.
The main character in the region in the sixteenth century was a woman. After a landslide demolished the village, Lucrezia Vitelli, the wife of the local ruler Aurelio Fregoso, oversaw its rehabilitation. She arranged for the construction of the San Giacomo convent, the church and convent for the friars, the monastery for the Poor Clares, and the plaza. She also rebuilt the Collegiate Church.
Following the death of the last Fregoso family member in 1660, the area was reverted back to the papal domain. During these years, the area within the so-called Palazzone—which Orazio Fregoso had constructed about a century before—that was used for performances was formally known as the Theatre. After a time of immense glory, the modest theater—which was entirely constructed of wood and had tasteful but understated decorations—was shuttered and all but abandoned. It was not until many years later that the Mariani theater was restored and reopened to the public, all owing to Vittorio Gassman’s involvement.
Sant’Agata’s history is not over; many residents of the town lost their lives in the two wars, many of them were fascist party members. Sant’Agata was overrun by Napoleon’s army and then seized by the Kingdom of Italy.
Things to visit in Feltria, Sant’Agata
There have been alternating periods of richness and success in Sant’Agata’s history. However, we have been able to inherit this wonderful small village, a true jewel at the foot of the Romagna Apennines, where there are plenty of sites to see, including the Collegiate Church of Sant’Agata, despite the fact that the area’s residents have been gradually moving away from it since the first half of the 20th century. Built in the tenth century, the structure is said to have been occupied by Sant’Agata herself.
Its style is late Baroque, despite its historic provenance. This is a result of its several renovations over time, the most recent of which was completed in 1776.
Following a visit to the stunning Romanesque bell tower of the Church of San Girolamo and admiring the altarpiece credited to the well-known Pietro da Cortona, one may have a brief visit to the Museum of Sacred and Rural Arts, which honors Father Marella’s teachings. There is then another quite fascinating picture to be seen within the Capuchin convent church. The subject matter of the piece is the Virgin, and an old tale is connected to its uniqueness.
Indeed, it appears that Madonna made many eye movements throughout the early part of the 1800s. Secluded on a plateau not far from the town, the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Soccorso is a very private, ethereal, and spiritual location.
It was constructed in the sixteenth century to commemorate a previous military triumph, and amidst the foliage, it has a straightforward geometry. When one goes inside the church, they could be shocked to see a bullet-holed bodice. It would be the outfit of a wife who, after being betrayed by her envious husband, invoked Our Lady of Help to save herself.
Very evocative is the secret route that leads from Rocca Fregoso to the charming tiny church of San Francesco della Rosa. The latter is especially intriguing, as it appears to be practically one with the rock it is constructed upon. Because of its advantageous location, which allows it to command the whole Savio valley, it was constructed in the tenth century primarily for defensive purposes. Only gradually did it change to become a functional home for the many lordships.
The castle was built by combining smaller pieces arranged around the central courtyard, despite its seemingly unitary design. Once a military jail, defensive stronghold, “house,” and monastery, the Rocca now houses a museum and a number of ongoing exhibitions. Some of the most fascinating ones include “Alchemy and Magic,” “Vintage Posters,” and “In Nomine Domini: The Era of the Crusades.” Moreover, it has been converted into an enchanted museum named “Rocca delle Fiabe” in honor of the small ones.
Outdoor enthusiasts just must spend a day in the Valmarecchia forests, strolling past landmarks like the Ponte degli Otto Martiri and stopping at the quaint and little settlement of Petrella Guidi, where they may savor a satisfying dish of mushrooms. In actuality, Monte Ercole is well-known for its undergrowth goods, particularly for its chestnuts and mushrooms.
Celebrations, festivals, and protests It follows that the Truffle Festival, which features the highly sought-after white truffle as its main character, is one of the nation’s most well-known festivals. This time of year, on Sundays in October, the town is overrun with vendors selling characteristic fall goods, along with truffles, of course. Not to mention the abundance of craftsmen, there are plenty of food kiosks where you can savor delicious local cuisine and perhaps even pair it with a nice bottle of Sangiovese.
Last but not least, “Christmas Town,” when the streets are lined with Christmas market stalls and the lights brighten the air, is another occasion that brings life to the town throughout the winter.
How to go to Feltria, Sant’Agata
It is recommended that drivers coming from the A14 depart at Cesena Nord, take the E45 sign, and head towards Rome. Proceed on the provincial route after leaving at Sarsina Nord. One way to get to Sant’Agata Feltria is to take a train to Rimini and then take a bus from there.
