Church of San Michele Arcangelo (Ascoli Piceno)

History of the Church of San Michele Arcangelo

The history of the church is tied to that of the castle of Porchiano, built to guard the northern borders of Ascoli's territory and recorded from the 12th century as a fief of the bishops of Ascoli. In 1528 the French troops of General Lautrec, on their way to Naples, destroyed the castle and the village.

The Church of San Michele Arcangelo was probably built between the 16th and 17th centuries, below the fortress. Of the fortress, worn away over time by landslides, only a few traces of low walls and crumbling stones remain. Porchiano was an independent municipality until 1866, when its territory was annexed to Ascoli Piceno.

What to see in the Church of San Michele Arcangelo

The Church of San Michele Arcangelo is the center of the second of the three clusters that make up Porchiano: a group of a few old houses, still well kept. The first cluster, higher up where the cliff slopes down to the north, is almost abandoned and in ruins; the third, along the road to the Ascensione, is made up of recent houses.

Visiting the Church of San Michele Arcangelo

The small road up to Porchiano runs along a narrow ridge and is exposed to landslides and subsidence, which rain makes more frequent. Before setting off, it is worth asking about road conditions and checking the weather. For the church's opening, contact the Parish of Santi Apostoli Pietro e Paolo.

Where the Church of San Michele Arcangelo is

The church stands in Porchiano, in the municipality of Ascoli Piceno. The village lies between the Chiaro Morto stream and the Fosso di Bretta, on a steep ridge, and borders the hamlet of Colonnata. Along the road to the Ascensione, just after the last group of houses, is the small Porchiano cemetery.

Around the Church of San Michele Arcangelo

Below the village, along the Chiaro Morto stream, the heavy rains of November 2013 formed a natural lake of about 4-5 hectares, now home to mallards, moorhens and little grebes. In the Cresima area, south of the village, a milestone from the Republican era was found. More sights are on the page about things to do in Ascoli Piceno.