The ancient Pretitulo was built around the year 1000 on a turn-off from the ancient Roman road, the Via Salaria, that connected Ascoli to Fermo. It was founded by the monks of the Abbey of Farfa on one of the seven hills that now make up the current area. The original nucleus was enlarged in the 14th century with the creation of the Borgo Vecchio, a street still full of charm, with terracotta portals and medieval inscriptions. In this borgo, as well as in other borghi of the Marche region, are the Porte del Morto (doors of the dead), a medieval custom when the coffin left the house from a narrow and low door which was kept closed until the fatal day. The most significant monuments of the borgo are the Tre Archi, the Civic Tower and the Iride Theatre. Tre Archi is the name of the ancient gate, built in the first half of the 15th century. The gate was rebuilt in 1872 in neo-Gothic style with purely decorative function, to give light and air to the square. The 40m Civic Tower was built in 1831 and consists of five different bases: square, rectangular, octagonal, circular and spherical. The 19th century Iride Theatre was designed by the engineer Giuseppe Sabbatini who was inspired by the Teatro della Fortuna in Fano. The 16th century Church of Santa Maria ad Martyres houses a precious organ of 1777 and an octagonal coffered ceiling. Other important religious buildings are the Romanesque Church of San Prospero, the oldest in Petritoli (13th century), the Church of Sant’Andrea with its 18th century stuccoes and the Church of Santa Maria in Piazza, rebuilt in the 16th century on an older building. The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Liberata, built around the year 1000, is a short distance from the historic centre.