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Historical Notes
Castrum Laureti rises up on a ridge in the hills at 300 ms above sea level. Built as part of a defence system for the territory, the village is a rare testimony to the fabric of small towns that in the past populated the whole region.The history of Loretello began immediately after the year 1000 and is linked to that of a more extensive area known as Massa di Sorbetolo which used to include the villages today known as Loretello, Nidastore, San Pietro, Palazzo and Montesecco. In the early 1200’s until mid-century, the fate of Massa di Sorbetolo was tightly linked with the fortunes of the Guelphs and Ghibellines. Later it came to be linked with the Commune of Rocca Contrada (Arcevia) which initiated a campaign of growing political and military pressure on the Castle of Loretello until it was finally destroyed a few years afterwards. Later, a long legal dispute between Rocca Contrada and the Hermitage of Fonte Avellana was finally resolved in 1358, |
acknowledging that the Castle of Loretello was officially the property of Rocca Contrada. From then on, the community formed its own organs of administration.
The Castle was governed by a Capitano, who administered civil justice and public order, whilst the Castle Council, il Consiglio del Castello, saw to common, everyday administration. The castle’s history during the last two centuries is strictly linked to the national history of Italy and its unification (1861). From that time on, Loretello lost its administrative autonomy, and is now governed by the Municipality of Arcevia. Despite this, after WW1 there were still some associations in the town including the musical band and the ex-combatants consumer co-operative. Straight after WW2 Loretello underwent a deep demographic change, and the population declined from 671 residents in 1951 to 182 in 1992. Today there are about 148 residents. |
