Montalto delle Marche is a large village in southern Le Marche and famous for being the home of the future Pope Sisto V, who was elected Pope in 1585 and who made Montalto a papal state for a short while before the formation of the state of Italy brought that to an end.The village is also unusual in that for its size it has a Cathedral in its historic centre, stated in 1587 by the first Bishop of Montalto. Later in the 1800s Bishop Aronne had the famous artist Luigi Fontana spend over 5 years painting the interior with beautiful Fresco’s and so made this cathedral one of the most admired throughout Le Marche.

The village is well placed in southern Le Marche, situated equidistant between the coast and the Sibillini Mountains and has become very popular with British nationals buying property in this area of le Marche.There is also a large museum, an imposing town hall and a civic picture gallery in the village and these have become very popular with both locals and tourists visiting the area.

There are several small cafés, small local shops, bars and a few restaurants in the central village and in the surrounding area many small wine and olive oil producers. The village is very vibrant with an active Pro Loco and the main historic centre has undergone extensive restoration over the past few years.

Montalto delle Marche has two small fractions or hamlets in close proximity, Porchia and Patrignone. Patrignone is the closer of the two and is especially beautiful with an outstanding church tower and small narrow lanes. Porchia is situated to the east of Montalto and is a busy and vibrant hamlet of just a few hundred persons.