The town's name is the result of the composition of two words: Morro (rock), to which was added "downstream", to avoid any confusion with the others centers with similar names. Municipality in the province of Macerata, whose territory lies on the border with those of the nearby provincial capital and is home of the International Museum of the Nativity, which includes about five hundred exhibits.
The discovery of a tomb and a mosaic floor, which is traditionally attached to the ancient Roman civilization, proof beyond doubt, that a Roman settlement was already present in the area since the I and II centuries A.D. After the fall of the Empire, the town remained without any defense and was easy prey of invaders that plundered the towns and took over the domain of area. During this period, in order to control of the borders, a series of castles were built and around these the local people built their homes. Occupied by the Lombards, Morrovalle became one of their possessions. The center is named for the first time in some historical documents, which date back to year 1000, during the domain of the Bishop of Fermo, and shortly after, the town was ceded to Guarnerio I, descendant of Werner of Lenzburg and first representative of the family Lazzarini. In the XII century the area was besieged by troops of Frederick Barbarossa, and in the XIII century, Morrovalle swore allegiance to the Bishop of Fermo. Directly involved in the XV century contrasts between Guelphs and Ghibellines, the city was besieged by the Aragons, and later by the Sforza. Finally the town passed directly under the jurisdiction of the Papal States.
Attractions:
- the Church of San Bartolomeo, built in 1586 by Pope Sixtus V, in Neoclassical style after the renovations of 1750. It features a single nave plan, some side chapels and a semicircular apse. The façade is divided into two orders and is surmounted by a small gable;
- the early XVII century Shrine of Our Lady of Holy Water;.
- the XVII century Church of St. Augustine;.
- the XI century Franciscan monastery;
- the small Church of San Giuseppe;
- Palazzo Nada Vicoli, dating from the XVII, was probably designed by Vanvitelli;
- the Town Hall with the Municipal Tower, which both date back to the XIV century;
- the XIV century Palazzo Lazzarini;
- the XVI century Palazzo Roberti.