Travelcast Piceno - Audio & Video Guide per la Provincia di Ascoli Piceno

Following along the now-obsolete railroad tracks from Amandola to Porto San Giorgio, and passing the church of Santa Maria a Pie d’Agello, we come across one of the most evocative places in Amandola, at the border with the town of Monte San Martino. Near the old abbey of Saints Rufino and Vitale, a dam was constructed on the Tenna river During spring and summer it is closed off, causing the formation of an temporary artificial lake. The abbey overlooks the area of the lake from a hill covered with tall oak trees.

The abbey’s origin is in the early Middle Ages, around the 11th century. Beneath the Roman church one can find a crypt with frescoes that can be compared to those of the church of San Vincenzo al Volturno created before 1840.  The frescoes of San Rufino depict a procession of saints, with their names indicated, going in the direction of God and an archangel.  The geometrical decoration below the saints suggests to scholars that the work was created in  approximately 1000 AD.  The vault of the crypt is supported by low columns with sculpted capitals.
Over the crypt, the beautiful and simple Romanesque church displays some frescoes from the 14th century, representing a Madonna with child and the saints Rufino and Vitale, to whom the church is dedicated.  The architecture went through many changes, performed executed over many years.  The square tower was erected about 1200 and was restored in 1400. On it, one can see the shield of the town of Amandola.
Near the lake of San Rufino, one can enjoy nature walks within a lovely protected area. Here, it is possible to observe a variety of waterfowl.  A little beyond the dam is the building of the cooperative “Dimensione Natura” that operates a horse stable and hosts schools and other groups.
Along the banks of the lake, the cooperative has created a park for the repopulation of deer. At the margins of the park, there are places to observe these superb animals before they are released into the Parco Nazionale dei Monte Sibillini.

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