The Sources of Chienti

The Chienti River is one of the main rivers of the Marche region, symbolizing the natural beauty and history of the area. Spanning 150 kilometers, it originates from the Adriatic side of the Apennine ridge in the Umbria-Marche Apennines. The main branch, known as Chienti di Gelagna, begins between the Macchie and Civitella mountains at an altitude of 860 meters above sea level. The river winds through the provinces of Macerata, reaching parts of the province of Fermo, and flows into the Adriatic Sea near the port of Civitanova Marche.

Its valley is characterized by great biodiversity, with numerous natural habitats and a wide variety of flora and fauna. Historically, the valley has been seasonally inhabited since the Paleolithic era and more permanently during the Mesolithic, as numerous archaeological findings attest. In later periods, the valley saw the rise of fortifications, castles, churches, and abbeys.
One of the first documented historical events dates back to 89 BC, when the Roman general Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus defeated the Italic army of the rebel leader Quintus Poppedius Silo on the banks of the river. This victory was decisive for the Roman conquest of southern Italy and represents one of the most important episodes in Roman history.
Other significant events occurred during the Middle Ages. In 1084, for example, the river was the scene of a bloody battle between the Normans and the papal army, ending with the defeat of the former. In 1248, the river was at the center of a legendary episode: Queen Margaret of Swabia, wife of Henry VII, went to its banks to meet her beloved, the poet Sordello da Goito, giving rise to the famous legend of forbidden love.

During the Renaissance, the river valley was at the center of struggles between various local lords, who competed for control of the lands and resources of the river.