Discover Alfi: San Marco and history

Alfi offers a focus on cultural history centred around the church of San Marco. It stands on the village square and dates back to the Middle Ages. Works of art, confraternities and the wooden altar furnishings tell of different periods in the town’s history; Palazzo Galassi adds to the picture with a 19th-century building.

San Marco: Art and History

The Confraternity of the Rosary was founded in 1581 and is based at San Marco. The Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament is also based in the church. The history of the confraternities’ origins and their connection with the church building are both part of the town’s cultural identity.

The triptych in San Marco depicts the Madonna and Child, along with Saints Mark, Matthias, Sebastian and Stephen. It is attributed to Nobile di Francesco da Lucca. The wooden furnishings of the side altars are also noteworthy: they were made around the middle of the 18th century and feature twisted columns and floral decorations.

The Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament commissioned a painting depicting the Triumph of the Eucharist and Saints Matthias and Mark from Nicola Amatore or Amatori, who came from Belvedere Ostrense. A large 15th-century processional cross was formerly in the church; today it is kept at the archbishop’s curia in Camerino.

The church’s history spans from its medieval origins, through its furnishings dating from around the middle of the 18th century, to Palazzo Galassi from the 19th century. The palazzo is another historic building in Alfi, adding a distinct note to the town’s history alongside its religious art.

San Marco was temporarily closed because of damage caused by the earthquake. Check whether access is possible before visiting.

The Fiordimonte Valley and its Landscape

Alfi lies among a succession of villages in the Fiordimonte Valley, with churches and chapels leading up to the Madonna del Monte Aguzzo Pass. This places the church of San Marco within the wider context of religious buildings in the valley.

The Valle di Fiordimonte wildlife and hunting reserve is located in the wider region around Alfi. It covers more than 4,000 hectares at elevations between 600 and 1,400 metres above sea level.

Cycling and E-biking

There are eight mountain biking and e-bike routes in the municipality of Valfornace, with varying lengths and difficulty levels. An e-bike route starting in Alfi is called “Alfi Visso Macereto Cupi Alfi”: it goes via Visso to the Sanctuary of Macereto and on to Cupi before returning to Alfi. Check the current route conditions before setting out.

At the Fiordimonte sports facilities, there is an e-bike charging station with a tyre pump and facilities for minor repairs.

Discover more destinations: Bolognola, Appignano, Sarnano, Cessapalombo, Frontignano, Pieve Torina, Recanati, Capriglia

For the wider travel overview: Macerata.