| Description: |
The hill on which the small town is placed, at a 430 ms altitude above sea-level, overlooks the river Fiastra, a tributary of the river Chienti, and its valley. The presence of a Picenian tomb suggests that this was a settlement of pre-Roman origins. It then became a roman Vicus dependent on Urbs Salvia. In the Middle Age, it depended on the Bishop of Camerino, who let the noble family of Contraguerra rule the village. During the following centuries, along with the neighbouring town San Ginesio, it fell under the direct rule of the Papal State.
The town still retains its medieval urban layout, with winding narrow roads and stepalleys, but also with its magnificent fortress, called ´Leonina´, commissioned with watchtower function by Pope Leon X and used until the Napoleonic period.
Probably just because of its ancient origins and for the traces left here by history, Ripe hosts what is currently one of the most important national events dealing with modern and contermporary art.
Text by Fabio Santilli
Translation by Gianfranco Martorano |