Piazza Umberto I and the Podestà Tower (Amandola)

History of Piazza Umberto I and the Torrione del Podestà

The tower stands on the hill of Castel Leone, in the old Platea Comunis, now known as Piazza Alta. In the past the square was where civic and religious buildings were concentrated, a kind of medieval agora.

The tower has a plain, compact appearance that gives no hint of the many interventions it has undergone over the centuries. They include the restoration of 1547. In the 18th century the large clock in the center of the façade was added, taken from the bell tower of the church of San Francesco.

What to see in Piazza Umberto I and the Torrione del Podestà

The Torrione del Podestà is incorporated into the complex of the municipal theater. This is the 19th-century Teatro La Fenice, with an elliptical auditorium and three tiers of boxes. A little farther on are the building of the former Palazzo del Comune and the Belvedere garden, which closes the square. Nearby there is also a 15th-century house with a dovecote.

Visiting Piazza Umberto I and the Torrione del Podestà

Before visiting, check whether the tower is open and at what times. There is an information point in the historic center. The square and the viewpoint can be enjoyed in every season. It is best to choose a day with good visibility, since the view is the main attraction.

Where Piazza Umberto I and the Torrione del Podestà are located

The square is in the historic center of Amandola. From the center, walk up Via Roma to Piazza Umberto I, the highest point of the town's hill. The route starts from Porta San Giacomo, which opens onto Piazza Risorgimento, and continues uphill through lanes and narrow streets.

To reach Amandola, the nearest train station is in Ascoli Piceno, connected by shuttles and buses.

Around Piazza Umberto I and the Torrione del Podestà in Amandola

Going downhill you reach Piazza Risorgimento, the hub of local life. Here a flight of steps leads down to the 14th-15th-century Sanctuary of Beato Antonio. The church of San Francesco, in a semi-Gothic style, keeps a wooden Christ from the late 13th century. For other historic buildings in the area, see the page on palaces and squares of the Sibillini.