Influential Figures:
Count Girolamo Montani (1774 - 1849)
Girolamo Montani (December 10, 1774 – December 24, 1849) was an Italian count, military officer, politician, and benefactor. Born in Montefiore dell'Aso, he served in the Papal States' army and played a notable role during the political unrest of the late 18th century. On December 28, 1797, as a lieutenant, Montani led a contingent defending Porta Settimiana in Rome against a group of Jacobins led by General Mathurin-Léonard Duphot. The confrontation resulted in Duphot's death, an event that escalated tensions between the Papal States and revolutionary France. Beyond his military and political engagements, Montani is remembered for his philanthropic contributions. In 1846, he established the "Opera Pia Montani" through a testamentary bequest. This charitable institution aimed to support the underprivileged youth of Fermo, focusing on their religious, moral, and civil education to mold them into valuable citizens.
The initiative became active in 1854 and evolved into the Regio Istituto di Arti e Mestieri in 1861. Today, this institution is known as the Istituto Tecnico Tecnologico Girolamo e Margherita Montani, continuing his legacy in technical and industrial education.
Montani's enduring impact is also commemorated in the MITI Museum (Museum of Innovation and Industrial Technique) in Fermo. The museum's first room is dedicated to Girolamo and Margherita Montani, highlighting their foundational role in the establishment of the Montani School and their contributions to technological innovation.
Girolamo Montani passed away in Rome in 1849, leaving behind a legacy of service and dedication to education and societal advancement.
