Aso Valley Ecomuseum

An ecomuseum is a cultural institution that stems directly from an area and its community, with the aim of researching, preserving and promoting natural and cultural heritage— keeping it alive and shared. It is a “scattered museum,” able of telling the story of a place and its ways of life over time.

The Aso Valley, in the center of the Piceno region, is a unique area that still retains its authentic and unspoiled appearance. From the Adriatic Sea to the Sibillini Mountains, stretches a landscape of cultivated hills, fortified villages, and traces of Picene, Roman, and medieval civilizations.

In this context, the Aso Valley Ecomuseum was established in 2011 as a public-private project dedicated to sustainable development and the promotion of local identities. The initiative fosters heritage awareness, creates synergies with tourism and crafts, and supports environmental protection, reinforcing the concept of the museum as a widespread and participatory experience.

The success of its activities and the growing collaboration between institutions and citizens led to the establishment of the“Ecomuseum of the Aso Valley and its Identities” Association in 2016, based in Campofilone at Palazzo Morelli/Astorri. Today, it includes the municipalities of Altidona, Campofilone, Carassai, Moresco, Montalto delle Marche, Montefiore dell’Aso, Monte Rinaldo, Monterubbiano, Monte Vidon Combatte, Ortezzano, Pedaso and Petritoli.

The Valdaso, long renowned for its agricultural production, continues to stand out with certified excellences such as Maccheroncini di Campofilone PGI (Protected Geographical Identification), Ciauscolo PGI, DOCG (Garanteed Controlled Designation of Origin) and “Identificazione Geografica Tipica” (Geographical Indication) wines, extra virgin olive oil, vino cotto, cheeses, cold cuts, and meats. At the same time, the area invests in sustainability and environmental protection: it is home to three of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, two Blue Flag villages , one Orange Flag village, and one Green Flag village, as well as an Organic Agricultural District and an Agri-environmental Agreement between local farmers and institutions in the Area.