The itinerary comes to an end in Acquasanta Terme, a well-known spa town in the upper Tronto valley, often referred to as the “travertine valley” due to the presence of travertine quarries, particularly in the area between Acquasanta and Ascoli Piceno.
Due to its durability and ease of cutting, travertine has been used for construction and ornamental purposes, and for the internal and external cladding of buildings since ancient times. As well as boosting the economy of the towns and villages in the upper Tronto valley, travertine and these construction traditions have left a unique and unmistakable mark on many settlements.
Paggese, for example, is home to small squares, balconies, epigraphs and architraves of doors and windows, all made from travertine. As well as boasting an exquisitely made 14th-century travertine baldachin, the 13th-century parish church of San Lorenzo Martire also houses tombstones set into the floor made from slabs of compact travertine. Meanwhile, Valledacqua is home to the Abbazia di San Benedetto, made entirely from travertine.
The success of travertine has fostered the development of techniques, quarrying processes and artisanal workmanship which probably originated in the 15th century, when the so-called “magistri de preta” [master stonecutters] appear in certain statutes of the city of Ascoli. Since the 15th century, these techniques have been practised and handed down by generations of stonemasons and are still used today to create cladding and flooring.
Today, the artisanal workmanship of travertine in Acquasanta has been almost completely replaced by industrial processing techniques, but the link with the past and with traditional techniques is kept alive by the activity of a number of stonemasonry workshops, which also use this material to make pots, benches and fireplaces, as well as souvenirs and ornamental objects such as penholders and paperweights.
“Le Forme del Travertino”, an open-air sculpture competition held every August, provides an excellent opportunity to gain direct experience of artistic travertine working techniques and to observe the methods and tools used by the artists.
Travel tips
Accommodation
Agriturismo La valle verde
Contrada Valledacqua, 1; agrilavalleverde@libero.it
Country House Castel di Luco
Frazione Castel di Luco, 0736 802319; casteldiluco@tiscali.it; www.casteldiluco.com
B&B Cuore
Frazione Collefalciano, 19; 3393246231; info@bb-cuore.it; www.bb-cuore.it
Eating out
Peperino
Frazione Santa Maria; 0736 802494
Ristorante Il Bucaneve
Frazione Centrale; 0736 801114
What to see
Centro di Educazione Ambientale Asaspeoclub, Frazione Santa Maria
3779942009; geotritone1@libero.it e www.ambiente.marche.it
What to buy
Il Boccetto – chestnuts
Via Salaria, 13; info@ilboccetto.it; www.ilboccetto.it
Nunzio Liberato Scioli – crafted travertine
Via Salaria km 184; 0736801250
Poli Annibale – crafted travertine
Fraz. Paggese 35/37; 338/9887564
Catalucci Franco – crafted travertine
Fraz. Santa Maria; 0736802320
