The Tourist Passport

The Frasassi Caves complex, located within the Marche Apennines, is one of the grandest and most fascinating underground routes in the world.
Splendid stalactites and gigantic stalagmites blend with cascades of crystals, in a succession of harmonious shapes.
A long route where a surreal landscape has blossomed, an enchanted world that takes us back to the origins of nature.
A complete underground ecosystem, where it is still possible to observe the formation of concretions, the drops that carve out and build their own architecture, and where life has continued undisturbed for millions of years.
An unspoiled, hidden and beautiful environment, made up of evocative spaces rich in extraordinary concretions.

Linked to the phenomenon of female monasticism, the hermitage-oratory of Santa Maria Infra Saxa is a small building leaning against the rock wall, half suspended over the sheer cliff, built starting from the Early Middle Ages.
At the time, Benedictine nuns came to pray in the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin.
Next to Santa Maria Infra Saxa, right in the middle of the cave, stands the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Frasassi, also known as the Valadier Temple because, for stylistic reasons, it is traditionally attributed to the architect Giuseppe Valadier.
In neoclassical style, it was commissioned in 1819 by Cardinal Annibale della Genga, the future Pope Leo XII, and inaugurated in 1828.
On the altar, a statue of the Virgin with Child in white Carrara marble was venerated, created by the workshop/circle of Antonio Canova, now kept in the Genga "Art, History and Territory" Museum.

Right at the entrance to the Frasassi Gorge stands the Abbey of San Vittore delle Chiuse, one of the most important Benedictine monasteries in central Italy, founded in the 11th century and built entirely of limestone blocks.
Opposite the abbey we find the Roman Bridge over the Sentino river, where in Roman times there was a thermal station, whose spring is still used today at the modern thermal center located a little further on.

San Vittore Speleo-Paleontological and Archaeological Museum

Next to the abbey is the evocative San Vittore Speleo-Paleontological and Archaeological Museum, which was specifically established to house an ichthyosaur fossil found in 1976 in the Municipality of Genga, following the construction works on the Gattuccio tunnel along the S.S.76 Ancona-Fabriano road.
Inside, visitors can also admire scale models illustrating the phenomenon of karstification, fossil sediments found in the surrounding area, and archaeological finds including some cinerary urns dating back to the Final Bronze Age.

Genga is a small, carefully restored medieval village, the birthplace of Pope Leo XII of the Counts della Genga.
The medieval castle still preserves its solid defensive walls, within which a small group of dwellings built directly on the rock can be seen.
The castle opens onto a wonderful belvedere overlooking the valley.

Art, History and Territory Museum

In the heart of Genga Castle stands the "Art, History and Territory" Museum, which tells the extraordinary history of this town.
Inside, visitors can admire, in the prehistoric area, the copy of the famous Venus of Frasassi and, in the historical-artistic area, works and artifacts ranging from the 15th to the 19th century.
Among these, the precious panel paintings by the 15th-century painter Antonio da Fabriano, influenced by Piero della Francesca, stand out.
Finally, the splendid neoclassical statue of the Madonna and Child, loving and protective mother, originally placed in the church commissioned by the pontiff himself inside the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin of Frasassi.

Pierosara is a medieval fortress, Castrum Petrosum or Castel Petroso, which stands in a strategic position on a hill overlooking two gorges, that of Frasassi and that of Rossa, presumably founded before 1000 AD. Initially dependent on the Abbey of San Vittore, in 1212 it was subjugated to Fabriano, while still maintaining great autonomy and sovereignty over a vast area of the surrounding territory, until 1809 with the formation of the Kingdom of Italy.

The legend of Piero and Sara

It is said that the Count of Rovellone, feudal lord of the Castle of Rotorscio, met a young girl named Sara who lived in Castel Petroso.
Fascinated by the young woman's beauty, he fell in love with her, but decided to kidnap her since she was betrothed to another lord of the castle named Piero.
One night, the feudal lord entered the castle and succeeded in his intent.
However, the local inhabitants immediately noticed the crime and, to prevent the worst, closed the entrance gates and began a fierce battle against the knights loyal to the Count of Rovellone.
During the fight, the count, seeing himself defeated, killed the beautiful Sara whom he held in his arms.
Piero, arriving on the scene, threw himself upon the killer, who, wielding an axe, also struck the unfortunate young man, who fell dying next to his beloved and, with one last embrace, breathed his last beside her.
To commemorate this sad event, Castel Petroso, from that day on, took the name of Pierosara.

The Manualis Paper Mill in Fabriano and the Frasassi Caves, a project of sustainability and uniqueness.

A product of excellence, 100% made in Italy, from the Manualis Paper Mill in Fabriano: every single sheet is made exclusively by hand, making each piece unique, with high intrinsic and emotional value.
Manualis not only reflects the best-known tradition of the town of Fabriano, but also adopts highly eco-sustainable techniques that minimize environmental impact, through the use of seasonal plants that avoid tree felling and the use of rainwater.
This philosophy blends perfectly with the world of Frasassi, a charming, unspoiled and precious area, just like the case produced by the Manualis paper mill, which will be given as a gift to those who take part in the "Tourist's Passport" project by visiting the main sites of Frasassi.
The case is entirely handmade from 100% cotton material, inside which is enclosed a precious, entirely handcrafted watermark depicting the fascinating Valadier Temple, as well as the Honorary Citizenship of Frasassi certificate personally signed by the Mayor of Genga, also printed on handmade paper.
An unforgettable memory to take home from this wonderful experience here at Frasassi!