3729 Mondavio

Mondavio is a unique little village sitting 280 m above sea level and only 20 kms from the beaches of Fano and Marotta.
A unique cocktail of Renaissance and Medieval, Mondavio formed part of the Roman town of Suasa and some remarkable Roman ruins have been revealed around the area.

After the sacking of Suasa by Alarico, King of the Goths, the population escaped to the nearby hills and formed the small hilltop villages of which Mondavio is now part.
Mondavio existed as far back as 1178 and St. Francis on passing through the town, was given a piece of land from the Ricci family where he built the famous convent which can still be seen today.
St. Francis fell in love with the area and its large variety of birdlife, and gave it the name Mons Avum (Monte degli uccelli) or mountain of the birds.
The town's coat-of-arms infact has a dove as one of its symbols.

The many rich and noble families led to the formation of the vicarage of Mondavio and in 1327, Pope Giovanni X11 took the 24 castles away from nearby Fano and put them under church rule.

Despite repeated attempts by the Malatestas to win back Mondavio, it continued under Papal rule until 1400 when Pandolfo Malatesta set up his residence here and was declared Lord of Mondavio by Pope Bonifacio IX.
Various feuds continued and Mondavio passed from church to Malatesta until Pope Sisto IV gave it to the Della Rovere family, considered to be the most important period in Mondavio's long history.

Mondavio has a small community of approx 4,000 inhabitants and holds annual events to remember and re-enact its long and colourful past.

In August a 5 day event is held where the villagers dress in Renaissance costumes and markets, craft stalls, pageants, races, duels, music, dances and fireworks entertain over 6,000 guests.
The highlight of the 5 day event is on August 15th when a spectacular firework display with music re-evokes the assault on the castle.