Rifugio Madonna della Cona
The place
Small Chiesa della Madonna della Cona (formerly Santa Maria delle Grazie) at Forca di Gualdo, on the road leading to Castelluccio di Norcia (municipality of Castelsantangelo sul Nera, province of Macerata, Marche, Italy). At 1496 m per external sources (DB 1453 m), it is the highest sacred building in the Marche region. Built in the 17th century to commemorate the Battle of Pian Perduto (19 July 1522) between the Vissani and the Norcini. Every first Sunday of July, a procession from the two towns to the chapel is followed by the Festa della Cona (feasts, songs, dances). A small refuge-chapel at the entrance to the Piana di Castelluccio, on the border between Marche and Umbria: strong symbolic value for hikers and lovers of the Sibillini. The vault collapsed during the August and October 2016 earthquakes, leaving the building unusable. The restored building was inaugurated on 7 November 2021; in July 2022, celebrations marked the 500th anniversary of the battle.
Getting there
Forca di Gualdo, on the road toward Castelluccio di Norcia.
The setting
Monti Sibillini, Piana di Castelluccio, on the border between Marche and Umbria.
