The Apiro borgo is nestled on a hillside at the foot of Monte St. Vicino in the middle of a verdant valley overlooking a superb panorama, backed by the high peaks of Gran Sasso and Maiella.
Its name has ancient origins. A legend recounts that it was Julius Caesar himself who coined the name; after wiping out Cingoli, on the way back to Rome along the ancient Clementina way, he happened to pass this unknown place. Finding it abandoned by its citizens with the temple fire extinguished and vestals fled, he decided to call it Apiro (without fire).
Apiro was probably founded by the Greek/Sicilians who, tired of war, and looking for a place of peace and quiet, established themselves on what is now “Piani”, founding a small settlement. This thesis finds credence in the unearthing of bronze finds on the Apiro plains, dating back to the V and VI centuries B.C.; these objects depict Greek and Roman divinities.
In the Roman epoch, during the time of Emperor Antonio Pio, Apiro became an important “post”, connecting to Jesi (Aesim) and Cagli (Calem).
After the destruction caused by Goth and Lombard incursions, Apiro was proclaimed a free commune, reaching its major spledour and prosperity. Apiro castle, which once rose in a different location to where the houses are today, acquired importance for its position and so was no stranger to the struggles between Papacy or other important neighbouring communities at the time of Federico Barbarossa.
Subsequently governed by Imperial vicars, Apiro became included in Marca di Ancona under the domination of Marchese Guarneri.
At this time, it had to undertake many wars in order to widen its borders, managing to enroll its castle owners among Apiro's nobility.
From ancient parchment documents come to light, it seems that right from ancient times, Apiro had its own laws; however, official statutes date from firstly 1388 and secondly, from 1528 when they were modified.
In 1445, after a period of submission to Francesco Sforza, Apiro passed under the direct control of the church to which it remained tied until the XVIII century.
From 1799 to 1808, following the Napoleonic treaty of Tolentino, Apiro achieved the status of head district.
After being again entrusted to the Pontifical State, in 1860 by popular consent, it was annexed, together with its region, the Marche, to the Reign of Italy. 

Monuments