Of pre-Roman origin Visso is a mountain resort strategically located along the commercial trade routes between Rome, Umbria and the Marches . With the Sibillini Mountain Range as a charming natural backdrop  this village seems to have been embroidered in the stone and  it’s a profusion of imposing walls, towers, the gates of the castle walls, medieval balconies and noble Renaissance edifices. The small town’s core is Piazza dei Martiri and its copious XVth century palaces and churches are harmoniously arranged all around. The artistic marvels concentrated in this small area are such that you cannot help to agree with the great art historian André Chastel: “In the scenographical placement of piazzas and cities, the Italian genius has no rivals.” Two churches in the piazza are absolutely sublime- the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria and the Church of Sant’Agostino . The former, dating back to the XII century, is in Gothic-Romanesque style and is characterized by both an elegant bell tower and a portal flanked by two lions. The latter, going back to the XIV century, has a façade that includes three spires with a portal and a rose window and it is now home to Museum housing the manuscripts of six idylls by Giacomo Leopardi, including the famous poem “L’Infinito.” 

A number of portals and windows in Visso are in light-coloured stone carved by local craftsmen, the celebrated “Visso stoneworkers,” who also produced the 14th-century Baptistery in the ancient parish church next to the Collegiate Church. Visso is one of the eighteen villages in the Marches included in the Borghi più belli d'Italia (“Most Beautiful Villages in Italy") club.