The hamlet of Visso is a small nucleus in the high Maceratese, nestled in a hollow of the high valley of the river Nera near Mount Fema, right on the border between Marche and Umbria in the heart of Mount Sibillini park.
The first settlement, from which the present name of the town derives, was identified by the name “Vicus Elacensis” from “Vicus” (place, village) accompanied by the adjective “Elacensis” (respectable).
The name was later changed to Visso from “Vicanum” which indicated a communal land (or Vicana) of pastures and woodland surrounding a hamlet. Visso boasts ancient, pre-roman origins; the territory was in fact occupied by Archaic populations right from the XV century B.C..
The village was higher up than it is today; following a severe earthquake that hit this area around the XII century, the habitat was rebuilt in the hollow on the banks of the two rivers, Ussita and Nera.
Located in the area of the ancient borderlands of the Umbre and Sabine territories, the village was subjected to Roman power around the year 295 B.C..
With the decrease in the Gothic population, this borgo, due to its strategic position, was occupied around the V century by the Gothic troops of Teodorico with the intention of consolidating his dominion over the “Pagi” (villages) of the Valnerina.
Becoming subject to the Longobard dukedom of Spoleto in the VI century, the settlement was incorporated into Di Ponte Castaldato Longobard, minor feudatory of the high Nera, sent by the Gastaldi to keep order and administer justice, from the VII century.
In 1265 it became a free commune, but, fiery and war mongering, it endured a long period of continuous struggles with the neighbouring communes such as Camerino, Montefortino and Norcia.
Of the latter, the memorable years saw the growth of Pontifical influence, until in 1355, Pope Innocenzo VI ceded Visso in vicarship to Varano di Camerino in exchange for favourreceived.
In 1434 its authority was transferred, though only for a brief period, to Francesco Sforza. Returning under the direct power of the Church in 1444, Pope Eugenio IV enriched the Vissano coat of arms with the Pontifical keys and the motto “Antiquum et fidele Vissum”, as a sign of benevolence towards the population.
In 1455 the Church, which looked favourably upon the city of Visso, conceded various privileges such as criminal and civil jurisdiction and successively in 1472, permanent exemption from taxes and excise on imported foodstuffs.
The following period from the XV-XVI century, due to the adversities that befell the area (pestilence, flooding and plundering by bands of mercenaries), the situation in the borgo became so bad as to be recorded in writings as “the ruin of Visso”. This was followed by a flourishing time for the borgo; thanks to its position, facing the route of commercial exchanges between Rome, Spoleto and Marche, it was able to develop a dairy trade as well as crafts trades, so it became an important commercial stopping place and its reputation grew, so much that it managed to adorn the town with fine, well-proportioned Renaissance style buildings which are still much admired today.
In 1538, Pope Gregory XIII elevated Visso's status to seat of Governance to the Pontifical legate in Umbria. At the beginning of the XIX century, Pope Leone XII conferred the name and prerogative of “city”. In 1860 Visso separated from Umbria and passed to Marche, after which it was annexed to the Reign of Italy.
Annually between July and August, the tournament of the “Guaite” takes place. An elegant and evocative historic re-enactment of the XIII century when the commune was subdivided into five “Guaite”; namely, Uxitae, Montana, Villae, Pagese and Plebis. The manifestation begins at the end of July and finishes on the first Sunday in August against a backdrop of moving shows, among which are Master Falconers with their trained falcons; the conclusion is a charming archery tournament. The valleys' best traditional dishes can be samples at Alfresco Stalls throughout the festival.  

Monuments