The origins of Offida are debated. In its territory have been found tombs of the Piceni and Roman remains; however, the town is known only from 578 AD when the population, fleeing the Lombard invasion, founded several castles in the area, included that of Offida. The true first historical mention dates to 1039, when the Abbey of Farfa received the castle of Ophida, being confirmed in 1261 by Pope Urban IV. During the war between the communes of Ascoli and Fermo, Offida sided for the latter. In the early 16th century Offida signed a truce with Ascoli while, in the same period, all the lands of the Farfa Abbey went to the Papal States. From the late 19th century the economy, from a wholly agricultural one, started to rely on handicraft also.
The church of Santa Maria della Rocca is considered one of the main architectural features of the whole Marche region. It is located on the westernmost tip of the town, surrounded on three sides by ravines that enhance its size. It is a large brickwork construction in Romanesque-Gothic style, designed by a master Albertino in 1330 on a pre-existing Benedictine church. The façade, looking towards the countryside, has fake columns; on the town's sides are three tall polygonal apses with fake columns in white stone, mullioned windows and GothicLombard bands. In the central apse is a Gothic portal leading to the crypt which has the same surface of the upper church and is decorated by frescoes attributed to the Master of Offida. The upper church, with a single hall, has Giottoesque frescoes, some attributed to the Master of Offida. Some of the original decorations are much ruined or lost at all. Among the side altars, the St. Andrew one has a canvas by Vincenzo Pagani.
Sanctuary of St. Augustine, built in 1338-1441. The façade is in Baroque stle, while the interior was modified and expanded in the 18th century with Latin Cross plan and late Baroque decorations. It houses a precious silver !relic cross" executed in Venice in the 13th century.
Church of Madonna dell Suffragio, with an external fresco by Simone de Magistris.
Monastery of San Marco, built by the Franciscans in the 14th century. The church with the same name is from 1738.
DOCG
The area around Offida produces red, white and Vin SantoItalian DOC wine. The grapes are limited to a harvest yield of 10 tonnes/ha with the finished wines needing a minimum alcohol level of 12%. The reds are a blend of at least 85% Montepulciano with other local red varieties permitted up to 15%. There are two varietalwhite wines produced in the DOCG based on Pecorino and Passerina with the primary grape needing to compose of at least 85% of the wine and other local white varieties permitted up to 15%. The Vin Santo is based on Passerina and must be aged for at least three and half years before released.
