Itineraries

Civitanova Marche: the medieval town and the harbour

Placed on the top of a hill at 3 km from the sea and framed by fifteenth-century fortified walls, the medieval centre of Civitanova is very interesting, with its typical alleys and towers. The present town rose on the outlet of the river Chienti during the last century, from a primeval group of fishermen's houses. Now it gathers the majority of the population of the area. Footwear production is outstanding, with many factory outlets. Fishing and boating are important too. Day-trips to Monte Conero.

At about 5 km, church of Santa Maria a Pie' di Chienti, built in the ninth century, with three aisles and matroneum.

Interesting hotspots in a radius of 40km

Sanctuary of Loreto

The town of Loreto is worldwide famous for the Basilica of the Santa Casa.  According to the tradition, the noted "Our Lady's House" was brought by angels from Palestine in 1294. It is decoared by a marble covering sculpted by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. The basilica that hosts the House was built in one hundred years from 1468 to 1570. Visit the Picture Gallery and the numerous collections (weapons, pots, frescos).

Leopardi's House, Recanati

The town, dominated by the Torre del Borgo, lives again in every corner of the spirit of the poet Giacomo Leopardi. The most famous places described by the poet are the small square of the "Sabato del villaggio" ("Saturday in the village"), the house of the beloved Silvia, the hill of the Infinity, the rooms of the father's library, everything remembers us the life of the most famous Italian lyric poet. Visit the house of the Poet and the Civic Museum, located in Villa Colloredo Mels and which hosts some works by the painter Lorenzo Lotto.

Monte Conero

The highest headland on the Adriatic riviera. Together with the surroundings it constitutes the Natural Park of the Conero. The paths that climb the Mount offer pleasant panoramic hikes. We suggest the easy Sentiero del Giglio, that with a one-hour hike leads to a maejestic aspect on the cliffs over the village of Portonovo. Hikes for groups start from the Park visitor centre, Via Peschiera 30/a, Sirolo (AN) Tel. 071-9331879.

For who loves the sea, the beaches of the Monte offer a great varierty of environments: for example the beach of Portonovo, hedged by the pine forest, and the beach of the Due Sorelle, that can be reached by sea with day trips from the port of Numana (Traghettatori del Conero).

Monte Conero is an important hotspot for birdwatchers, mainly during spring migration; the most common species are Marsh Harrier and Honey Buzzard, but every year rarer birds are spotted (White and Black Storks, or even a White Pelican and a Levant Sparrowhawk). The observation camp is set on the hill called Gradina del Poggio.

Tolentino and the Basilica di San Nicola

Tolentino, on the downstream of the river Chienti, is famous mainly for the Basilica di San Nicola, one of the most common pilgrimge destinations of central Italy. Visit: the sweet historical centre, the Tower of the Clocks, Palazzo Parisani designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, Palazzo Parisani Bezzi where in 1797 Napoleon and the delegates of the Pope signed the Treaty of Tolentino and where the Napoleonic Museum is hosted.

Cistercian Abbay of Fiastra and Castello della Rancia

The complex of Abbazia di Santa Maria di Chiaravalle di Fiastra is a masterpiece of Cistercian architecture, dipped in the calm country of the Fiastra valley. For who loves nature, visit also the attached Natural Reserve, with the interesting old "Selva" (Forest) and the ponds. Possibility of organized hikes, even on horseback: la Meridiana.

Castello della Rancia, at a few chilometres from the Abbey, was built in 1397 by command of Rodolfo Varano on the model of fortified Cistercian abbeys. The castle is large. It was theater of many battles. The most famous is the first battle for the Independency of Italia (1815) between Joachim Murat, king of Naples, and the Austrian army.

Roman ruins of Urbs Salvia and Helvia Recina

The second-century Roman town of Urbs Salvia is near the present-day Urbisaglia. The archaeological park is amongst the most interesting of Marches. Visit the Cistern, the Theatre, the Anfitheatre, the "Criptoportico" (Hidden Porch) and the other buildings.

Helvia Recina is a very interesting Roman town too. Not far from Macerata, it was founded in the second century. The best kept building is the theatre.

Lyrical Season at Sferisterio di Macerata

Macerata features the open-air theatre with the best acoustics in Italy. Originally it was designed for competitions of "Pallone col Bracciale", an ancient ball game. Today it hosts the Sferisterio Opera Festival, which takes places between July and August.

Fermo and Torre di Palme

The town of Fermo, walled and perched on the top of a hill, features a perfect Renaissance plant. On the top, in panoramic position, visit Cattedrale dell'Assunta and piazza del Girfalco. Visit also Piazza del Popolo, the art gallery (with a work by Rubens), "Sala del Mappamondo" (Globe Room) and the Scientific Museums of Villa Vitali.

Torre di Palme, a fraction of Fermo, is a tiny medieval village perched on a promontory on the sea. The historic centre is a jewel and the panorama is wonderful.