Borgo Pace: Cultural History, Art and Nature

If you are considering an overnight stay in Borgo Pace, cultural history, sacred art and the landscape may influence your choice. Local points of interest range from the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo and Castello di Bavia to the Church of Santa Maria Nuova in the center of the main square. There are also circular walking trails with different local connections, and the local Patata Rossa di Sompiano potato variety. When choosing a hotel, you can first decide whether historic buildings, art, nature or a mix of these themes should shape your stay.

Cultural History and Sacred Art

The Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo was commissioned by Benedictine monks between the 9th and 10th centuries and is documented in written records from 1218. These details mark two different historical reference points: the first period concerns the commissioning, while 1218 is the date of the written record. The abbey in Lamoli also contains three frescoes from the late 15th century. They depict a Madonna nursing the Child, Saint Roch and Saint Julian. The commissioning and the written record should therefore not be treated as the same date; the frescoes provide a much later connection to the abbey’s art history.

Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance features have been preserved at Castello di Bavia. They stand above an earlier Roman villa with heated baths. The castle adds a different historical perspective to the sacred sites: here, the Roman complex and several preserved architectural styles take center stage.

Santa Maria Nuova is the church that was rebuilt in the center of Borgo Pace’s main square. One of its side altars features a late-15th-century panel painting from the Umbrian school. It depicts the Virgin and Child with angels. Unlike the three frescoes in the abbey, this is a single panel; both sites are associated with sacred art from the late 15th century.

Landscape and Walking Trails

The Borgo Pace area extends from the mountain habitat at Bocca Trabaria to hillier areas near the town. It is home to a great variety of animal and plant species, including many rare species. Alongside the individual buildings, this range of habitats also defines the area’s connection with nature.

The walking trails can be distinguished by their local connections. The Sentiero del Carbonaio is a themed circular trail between Borgo Pace and Torre Sant’Andrea. The Sentiero della Natura is a circular trail between Parchiule and La Villa, while the themed Sentiero dei Colori is in Valderica near Lamoli. The three names therefore refer to different local connections: Borgo Pace and Torre Sant’Andrea, Parchiule and La Villa, and Valderica near Lamoli. The themed nature of the Carbonaio and the Sentiero dei Colori is stated explicitly; the Sentiero della Natura signals its connection with nature in its name. This makes it easy to distinguish the trails by the places and themes mentioned.

A Local Product

The Patata Rossa di Sompiano, an indigenous potato variety, is part of the local food culture. A local farmers’ association grows and protects it. This agricultural connection complements the themes of architecture, sacred art and landscape.

Discover More Destinations

Monteciccardo, Belvedere Fogliense, Colbordolo, Trebbiantico, Fano, Sant'Ippolito, Chiaserna, Peglio

For the main travel overview: Pesaro - Urbino.