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The path of Via Indipendenza climbs from Piazza Risorgimento to Largo Leopardi, where it begins the descent that takes us quickly toward the historic center of town. Via Indipendenza is the main street of the original ancient town and walking along it brings us into contact with some of the most interesting elements of the traditions and culture of this place.
In the Appennine regions of Umbria and Le Marche, the tradition of the “Porta del Morto” or the “Door of the Dead” took hold. On the façades of the houses, often near a window, it is possible to find signs of different brickwork. The superstition says that the dead may not exit the house through the same doors habitually used by the living. For this reason, smaller exits were created and kept bricked up. They were opened by dismantling the brickwork only in the event of a death in the household. Through these exits, the body was removed, feet-first, before the wall was mortared closed again. Along the walls of Via Indipendenza are many “Porte del Morto” and in a variety of sizes. About halfway up the climb, you will notice a set of smaller steps descending from Via Castel Leone. At this point can be found the abandoned church of Saint Thomas. This small structure, closed for both religious and public use, preserves the smallest organ in the Marche region and several statues of saints in polychromed gesso. Even in its obsolescence, this building holds a place in the hearts of the people of Amandola.
Already in the 14th century, Amandola was becoming a center for the arts and crafts. The town developed a school for “ebanisti”, which was the highest level of woodcarvers, whose artwork spread throughout the entire Piceno area. Some of these Amandola-trained artisans, for example, created the wooden framing for the polyptiches of the Crivelli brothers. The artisan’s workshops, in the course of the 17th century, made important contributions to the creation of the grand Baroque altars.
All phases of the wool trade play an important role also, from the raising of sheep to the commercial production of woolen fabrics. In the area of the Sibylline mountains,where sheep were abundant, wool was collected, fabric was woven and dyed, and the products were sent to Italian and European merchants. This explains how, in the period of the Middle Ages, small villages were able to become wealthy in this area.
While on Via Indipendenza, be sure to look for glimpses of the Sybilline mountains and the Tenna river valley.
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Amandola e i Sibillini 
