This enchanting borgo, rich in historical and environmental beauty, is one of the most interesting and evocative centres of the central Apennines. Placed in a strategic position atop a hill, its centre faces north to the Monti Sibillini National Park, and south to Gran Sasso, Monti della Laga. Its houses are elegantly dominated by the mighty 200 year old Castle from which two beautiful towers stand out.
There is no documentation about the origins of Arquata, ancient “Statio” of the Consular Salaria in the Roman Era (Supercanum), it owes its name to the presence of the great Castle (Arx), which, according to local tradition, was the favourite dwelling place of Queen Giovanna II d'Angiò di Naples.
The earliest documentation dates back to the XI century and it is certainly a known fact that in 1255 it consigned itself spontaneously to Ascoli, receiving in exchange ample autonomy.
In 1293, Arquata, together with Montemonaco and Collotto di Manila, renewed pacts of loyalty to the city of Ascoli, guaranteeing a contingent of fifty armed men in case of war, taking part in the “Palio della Quintana” and in the celebrations in honour of St. Emidio.
The pact of alliance was further renewed in 1317 and 1339, allowing the place to enjoy a long period of great autonomy.
Its period of greatest splendour was reached about the first half of the XV century, when Queen Giovanna II d'Angiò di Naples, crowned by Pope Martino V took up residence in the Castle from 1420-1435. For this reason was the fortress, in the past, referred to as “Queen Giovanna's Castle”. Even today, legend has it that the Queen's ghost still flits around the castle rooms.
In 1429, Pope Martino V ceded the city to the district of Norcia, which up to then half competed for it with Ascoli.
Through various ups and downs, Arquata stayed under Norcia's dominion until the XVIII century, submitting to long periods of fierce battles with the Ascolan and Norcian factions.
In 1809 with the French invasion, the Norcia prefecture was abolished and Arquata was subject to Spoleto, head of the Trasimeno department.
After becoming chief town of the canton, the castle was restored and supplied with a fortified emplacement and firing area and was assigned a permanent garrison. Together with the castles of Spoleto and Perugia, it was declared the third small fortress of the department.
On the fall of Napoleon, the Pontifical government removed Arquata from Umbria and incorporated in the Ascoli Piceno delegation. This lasted until 1832 when the city became part of the pretorial jurisdiction.
In the borgo, the legends and the myths of the past are still alive, so much so, that every year are held important folkloristic evocations to celebrate the past and its religious beliefs.
In the Pretara district is “The legend of the fairies”, original theatrical performance that tells of the deeds of Guerin Meschino and Goddess Sibilla.
One day, some shepherds arrived in a place that was once the ancient village of Colfiorito, buried under a landslide caused by Sibilla, jealous of the inhabitant's happiness. The shepherds were gladdened to meet the “fairies”, strange creatures in the service of Sibilla, who looked female but possessed goat's feet. These fairies appeared in the hamlet at night but before daybreak they had to retreat into caves so as to keep their goats' nature secret. An unknown cavalier, Guerin Meschino defeated Sibilla's magic powers, so the fairies, finally freed from their spell, were able to marry the shepherds, thus giving origin to the village of Pretare.
Nowadays, on the occasion of the feast of St. Rocco in mid-august, the legend comes to life.
Another festival also takes place in Arquata in the month of August and it is the re-enactment in costume complete with a Medieval banquet, named, “At the Queen's Court”. This manifestation takes its cue from the historical figure of Queen Giovanna II of Naples, who stayed famously in the castle for fifteen years. To celebrate her, the town square comes alive with artists and entertainers performing dances, games and music to accompany the banquet where Medieval dishes are prepared.
Every third year instead, in August in the district of Spelonca, there is another re-enactment; this is the “Festa Bella”. The district brings to life the Rinascimental period going back to 7th October 1571 when, in the Gulf of Lepanto, the greatest battle in its history was fought. According to tradition, about one hundred and fifty Spelongani took part and fought to capture a Turkish flag; torn and stained with blood, the flag is still preserved in the parish church of Spelonga di Arquata. In memory of this feat, at least one hundred and fifty Spelongani, every three years, depart for Monti della Laga, to chop down a giant thirty-metre fir tree, which, after three days transport, becomes the main mast of a Turkish felucca under construction in the village square. A historic personage, Marcantonio Colonna, places a replica of the captured flag at the top of the mast, raised only by ropes and ladders.

Monuments