Sant'Elpidio a Mare
Hi friends! Today I will talk to you about Sant'Elpidio a Mare, a beautiful Italian municipality in the province of Fermo, Marche. The city is located on a ridge of the Marche sub-Apennines and is only nine kilometers from the Adriatic Sea. Curious to discover more? Keep reading my summary!
Physical geography
Sant'Elpidio a Mare is strategically positioned between two rivers, Tenna and Ete Morto, which makes it a very suggestive location. One of the things that characterizes it the most is its name: the city is named after Elpidio, an abbot who saved the city from an incredible assault. It is said that he was a powerful and brave knight, honored by the entire city that decided to baptize it Sant'Elpidio. Since then, the city has developed prosperously thanks to its strong personality.
History
Sant'Elpidio a Mare has always had a strong combative nature. In 887, in the same area where the city now stands, one of the oldest and most powerful Benedictine abbeys in Marche was founded: the Abbey of Santa Croce al Chienti. The medieval village, known as the "Castle of Sant'Elpidio," dates back to the 11th century and is built on the top of the hill where the church of Madonna dei Lumi is located. In 1250 Frederick II of Swabia granted the city the construction of a port between the Chienti and Tenna rivers.
The city has undergone numerous destructions and looting, but every time it has managed to rise from its ashes. Sant'Elpidio a Mare was in fact destroyed by the Goths in the early 400s, looted in 1328 by the troops of Mercenario da Monteverde, again destroyed by the Ghibelline Rinaldo da Monteverde in 1376 and 1377. In 1380 the Elpidiensi rebuilt the village in the position where it still stands today. In 1431 the army of Francesco Sforza penetrated the city walls and looted the village. Finally, during World War II, the territory was administered by the Italian Social Republic.
Symbols
The municipal coat of arms and banner were granted by the decree of the President of the Republic on March 7, 2001. The banner, a kind of drape, is white with a blue border.
Monuments and places of interest
Sant'Elpidio a Mare has a very vast historical and cultural heritage. Among the main monuments and places of interest we find the Abbey of Santa Croce al Chienti, founded on a pre-existing religious building of the 6th century. Thanks to the lands donated to the monastery by the bishop of Fermo Theodosius and to the munificence of the emperor Charles III the Fat who granted with a privilege of June 24, 883 the economic means necessary for its realization, it was solemnly consecrated on September 14, 887 in the presence of the bishop of Fermo Theodosius and countless canons.
There are also numerous churches in the city, such as the church of Madonna dei Lumi, which is located on the top of the hill where the Castle of Sant'Elpidio stands and is used as a civic museum, and the church of San Francesco, dating back to 1239, located outside the city walls.
Friends, I hope you enjoyed my summary and that you have gained more information about this splendid city. Sant'Elpidio a Mare is a place that I recommend you visit at least once in your life. You won't regret it!
