HISTORY (Summary)

CRUPTAE AD MARE its territorial origins go back to the temple of Cupra, to the north of Tesino, where the remains of the Imperial Temple can be found in the church of San Martino. The first mention of Grottammare Alta as an inhabited place goes back to the 7th century. In the 9th century fortifications on the hillside certainly existed. There stood the castle, to defend the monastery and its surrounding population from the frequent incursions of the Saracens.

The special setting of this place meant that the city of Fermo considered Grottammare to be the most important of the eight first class castles which were under its jurisdiction. In 1299 enlargement of the small port was started, which meant that trading in cereals, wood, oil, wine and other agricultural and industrial products became more active. In 1525 Grottammare was completely encircled with walls which were fortified in the port and reinforced with a tower named "Battle Tower". Today the ancied center, surrounded by walls, dominates the green coast from on high. Here its newest town, a famous seaside resort, was established at the end of the 18th century.

In the 17th century Grottammare was already a resort well-known for its waters and its climate. At that time famous doctors such as Mazzoni and Murri recommended the place for convalescence. Attracted by the mild climate and the beautiful scenery, illustrious guests such as Girolamo Bonaparte and his wife Caterina of Worttemberg stayed at Grottammare in 1827, Franz Liszt in 1868. Liberty architecture has left a deep mark upon Grottammare, as can be seen in the villas hidden among the palms that still rise today along Viale Cristoforo Colombo and Lungomare della Repubblica. These are noble residences decorated with frescoes inside - a type of decor which can be found not only along the beach, but also in the town.

Among those who have brought fame to Grottammare are Pope Sistus V (1521-1590) and the sculptor Pericle Fazzini (1913-1987), whose name is usually associated with the well-known "Resurrezione", the sculpture which reigns in the Sala delle Udienze at the Vatican. Among his numerous works present in the town the monument known as "Metamorphosis", which the artist donated to Grottammare, stands out in the square which bears his name.