Midway between the sea and the mountains, situated on a promontory along the river Aso valley, is the little Medieval borgo of Monterinaldo, which still preserves intact long stretches of its Medieval fortifications typical of Picene hilltop villages and includes a characteristic huddle of ancient brick houses. The origins of its name date back to the Feudal domination of the French era; this is explained in an old tale according to which three brothers, Pietro, Elipido and Rinaldo, sons of a noble Norman, settled in these lands and founded the castles of Montesanpietro Morico, St. Elipido Morico and Monterinaldo.
The origins of the primitive settlement in the area date back to the Roman era. Witness to this, are the remains of a religious complex called “La Cuma”, which flourished in the late Republican era as well as numerous Roman villas to be found dotted around.
The origins of the borgo however, date back to the IX and X century; its historic centre began to expand around the XII century from a small Franco-Lombard settlement. The first ancient document recording “Monte Rinaldo” and “Vecclano” is the “Donazione Rainberga” date 1032, in which the abbess of the Petritorli monastery donated two castles to Monte Cassino abbey. Veccalno identifies Bucchiano castle destroyed in 1379 on the orders of the rector of the Marca as a sanction against the continued tyranny of Rinaldo di Monteverde.
In 1063 the borgo was annexed to the possessions of the Fermo bishop. In the middle ages the lands were placed under the influence of the Farfense monks, later becoming “frontier” territory, bitterly fought over by the Fermo dukedom and the city of Ascoli.
In order to keep its territorial autonomy, in the same period, the castle had to struggle against the bordering communes of Montelparo and St. Vottoria.
At the start of the XV century, Monte Rinaldo was taken over by Carlo Malatesta, so beginning a period of great territorial contrasts. This situation was to mark the history of the commune until 1539 when the intervention of Mario Favonio of Spoleto, cardinal Carpi's auditor, who established the borders with neighbouring villages, kick-started a long period of stability leading up to the annexation to the Pontifical State and after to the Reign of Italy.
Today Monterinaldo is a hill village still preserving important stretches of its castle walls and the typical Medieval concentration of the old town's houses.
In the nearby locality called “La Cuma” can be found the interesting archaeoligical park which stretches for a hectare. In this beautiful area, surrounded by breathtaking countryside, typical Picene, stands a sanctuary of the Greek era, among the most important in the whole region. Some experts have connected it to Novana, the mysterious city mentioned by Plinio il Vecchio, and whose whereabouts have still not been determined. The entire structure is dated around the II-I century B.C., at the end of the Republican era.
A curious fact: the area of Monterinaldo produces a very fine sheep's milk cheese, particularly renowned for its aroma of wild thyme, the aromatic herb on which the sheep pasture in this zone.

Monuments