The Orange Flags: brand for the tourism and environment sectors

A few miles from the Adriatic beach resorts, Gradara is one of the most popular Marche’s tourist destinations. Gradara boasts the Orange Flag award, it belongs to the Association of The most beautiful villages in Italy and to the National Association of Wine Cities.

The imposing 14th century walls surrounding the town are some of the best preserved in the Marche, with their crenellated battlements and bristling towers. The single main street leads up through the city gates to the fortress at the higher end of the town. The squared fortress, a polygonal tower on the northern side, dominates the town: it was here, according to tradition, that the murder of Francesca da Rimini and her lover Paolo, the lovers immortalized by Dante in his Divina Commedia, took place in 1289. It dates back to the twelfth century, but was changed under the rule of the Malatesta and the Sforza families. Pieces of 15th century furniture, valuable frescoes and altarpieces can be admired inside. Around the castle people can walk along the Lovers’ path, which surrounds the hill. There you can enjoy a nice view of the farming landscape. In the wonderful setting of the Medieval castle there’s also a bird’s park, which is also a falconry centre ( The Teatro dell’aria” or Theatre of the air”). It’s a park of environmental education entirely dedicated to the art of falconry. Here you can enjoy exhibitions of flying birds of prey and intriguing shows with them. Must-see attractions are also the little theatre, which can accommodate 70 people; Rubini Vesin Palace, built by local artists in the second half of the 19^th century and now used for several cultural events: theatre, music and literary conferences.

The most typical dish is the "bigol," a kind of homemade spaghetti seasoned with mushroom or gravy sauce.

The most remarkable events taking place in Gradara during the year are: Gradara d’amare ( Gradara for lovers) in February, Solstice at the castle, Thursdays at the castle ( June/September) and Siege to the castle ( July).

Mercatello sul Metauro, where flies the Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag), that is a recognition of quality awarded by the Touring Club Italiano to small towns (population 15,000 or less) in Italy for excellency in tourism, hospitality and the environment, retains medieval plan ; its walls are protected by the groove of two rivers. In Piazza Garibaldi stands the Collegiate Church, which still preserves the walls of the earliest Romanesque site, and the Romanesque-Gothic church of San Francesco, housing a fourteenth-century crucifix by Giovanni da Rimini and the tomb of Bartolomeo Brancaleoni, who was lord of Mercatello in the first half of the fifteenth century. Must-see attractions are also the birthplace of Saint Veronica Giuliani,  the Romanesque bridge over the Metauro river, the small collection of Contemporary Art housed in Palazzo Gasparini, the Palazzaccio, the "Monte di Pietà", founded in 1516. The area of Mercatello sul Metauro is well known for its truffles, both black and white. The most remarkable events taking place in  Mercatello sul Metauro are: the Fair of St. Veronica (the first week of July) and the Palio of the Donkey (early July), the tournament between the four districts of the country including games, food tasting and a special festival dedicated to the much appreciated "tagliatella" (noodle).

Mondavio is a beautifully preserved, red-brick medieval hill town. It belongs to the association of  The most beautiful villages in Italy and boasts the Orange and Green Flag. 
The imposing fortress that stands out from afar was built by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, one of Italy's most celebrated Renaissance military architects; it now houses an entertaining 'living museum' portraying life when the fortress was built at the close of the 15th century for Giovanni della Rovere, son-in-law of Duke Federico da Montefeltro. 
The most remarkable monuments in the historic centre are: Palazzo dei Malatesta, the church of San Francesco, the Collegiate Church of St. Peter, Paterniano and Eleuterio, the fourteenth-century Palazzo della Comunanza and the Teatro Apollo, built in the mid-eighteenth century on the ruins of a fifteenth century church.
Every year in mid-August you can't miss the "Caccia al Cinghiale" (Hunt to the Wild Boar); the festival commemorates the arrival of Giovanni della Rovere in Mondavio for taking possession of the Vicariate, a gift from Pope Sixtus IV on the occasion of his marriage to Giovanna, Federico da Montefeltro's daughter. It was an important event, which influenced the entire Cesano Valley in terms of economy, culture, social organization. The re-enactment begins on 13th August with a sumptuous banquet and end on 15th August with parades, games, Renaissance life experiences and fireworks from the Roveresca Fortress. 

Corinaldo is a village belonging to the Association "The most beautiful villages in Italy"; it boasts the Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag), that is a recognition of quality awarded by the Touring Club Italiano to small towns (population 15,000 or less) in Italy for excellency in tourism, hospitality and the environment. It is also included in the National Association of olive oil , Honey Cities and European Destinations of Excellence. It is a remarkably pretty fortified hill town, that boasts the best-preserved 15th century defensive walls in the Marche, surrounded by towers, gates and polygonal ramparts. Walking along long stretches of the battlements you can admire sweeping views. In its medieval centre stands one of the most typical sites, the so called “Piaggia”, the one hundred Steps, leading upward to Piazza del Terreno.  It's worth wondering up and down the narrow stepped streets and visiting the Civic art gallery dedicated to Claudio Ridolfi, the Mannerist painter from Verona who spent much of his life in Corinaldo, and the shrine dedicated to St Maria Goretti, the town's own 20th century saint, murdered in 1902 at the age of 12 by a would-be rapist whom she resisted. Corinaldo belongs to the Archaelogical Park of Suasa ( 3^rd century b. C) located in Pian Volpello. In the Costume and popular traditional museum you can see the costumes made for the historical re-enactment called “ Contesa del Pozzo della Polenta, which means Contest of the Polenta (cornmeal mush) Well”, the oldest one in the province of Ancona. It takes place in the third week end of July and it brings back to life the victory of people from Corinaldo in 1517 over the army of the Duke of Urbino who besieged the town for 20 days. Other important events taking place in Corinaldo are: Corinaldo Jazz in summer and Halloween Festival at the end of October. In Corinaldo you can taste top quality cured meats, like cured meats from Frattula, the “pecorelle”, a typical cake and an excellent olive oil. The town is in Verdicchio wine country and the local co-operative winery, Val di Nevola, produces some excellent value bottles.

Genga is in the heart of the regional Park of Gola della Rossa and Frasassi and boasts the Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag), that is a recognition of quality awarded by the Touring Club Italiano to small towns (population 15,000 or less) in Italy for excellency in tourism, hospitality and the environment. Its historic centre boasts the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the Museum of Holy Art, housing valuable paintings. Nearby the most remarkable  tourist attraction is the complex of Frasassi Caves, one of Italy's largest and most famous complex of caves. Equipped with walkways and theatrical lighting, it includes the awesome Grotta Grande del Vento, Europe's largest single cavern, so vast that Milan Cathedral would fit comfortably inside, and some of the most extravagantly fanciful stalagmites and stalactites you are ever likely to see. In the area there’s the Romanesque  church of San Vittore alle Chiuse, near the  thermal baths of San Vittore delle Chiuse. Next to the church is the Speleological Museum, housing an ichthyosaur fossil , a kind or rare marine reptile. The Frasassi Gorge is a charming place, surrounded by woods and caves; further up the gorge towards Genga, climbing up you’ll see the remarkable travertine-faced, octagonal church built by the celebrated 18th century Roman architect Giuseppe Valadier. In the regional park you can go hiking, enjoy mountain biking, canoeing and horse riding.

Situated on a hill with a fascinating view over Misa valley, Ostra belongs to the National Association of Wine Cities, the National Association of Cities of Honey and boasts the Orange Flag. According to tradition, the town was founded by the refugees from the Roman town of Ostra destroyed by the Goti. It is surrounded by medieval walls featuring nine towers. In its red-brick main square stand the neo-classical town hall and the theatre La Vittoria. Not far from the centre a must-see attraction is the eighteenth century Sanctuary of Madonna della Rosa, which houses the miraculous seventeenth century edicola dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The most typical products are: Lacrima di Morro d’Alba, the local red wine, and the extra virgin olive oil obtained from “Raggia” olive, one of Marche’s finest olive variety.

Acquaviva Picena is a small town located in the hinterland of San Benedetto del Tronto; it  lies on a hill where you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the Apennines. In Acquaviva Picena flies the Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag), that is a recognition of quality awarded by the Touring Club Italiano to small towns (population 15,000 or less) in Italy for excellency in tourism, hospitality and the environment.

The village features the fortress, a real masterpiece of Renaissance military architecture, whose first construction dates back to the fourteenth century. It was then rebuilt in 1474 by architect Baccio Pontelli. The plan is an irregular quadrangle, enclosing a large central courtyard with a well, with the tops strengthened by pinnacle towers. The highest tower, the keep, has a cylindrical shape and is about 22 m high. The interior, which is occupied by two vaulted rooms which are linked by a masonry staircase, now houses an interesting exhibition of ancient weapons. At the foot of the fortress is the square of the Fort, which is impressive with its small houses. The square of S. Nicholas is in the heart of the old town, surrounded by homonymous sixteenth century church, Casa Rossi Panelli and the Civic Tower. Outside the old town, the Church of San Francesco with the adjoining convent is the oldest Franciscan site of the whole region, established by the same S. Francesco d' Assisi upon invitation of the Acquaviva family. The traditional activity of the village is the production of straw baskets, carried out according to a method handed down from generations.

High on a ridge above the northern slopes of the attractive valley of the Tesino river stands the small hill town of Ripatransone. Here you can enjoy stunning views over the surrounding countryside . It belongs to the National Association of Cities of Olive Oil and Cities of Honey and boasts the Orange Flag. Its historic centre boasts buildings dating back to Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque time. The town's uniqueness comes in the form of a tiny alleyway - it is only 43 centimeters wide and the narrowest in all Italy. Built and strengthened between the twelfth and sixteenth centuries, the town walls  - 2,418 m. long - are some of the best preserved in the Marche region. The most remarkable monuments are: the Cathedral, built in 1957 but completed in 1902, boasting the seventeenth century canvases and statues; the Town Hall, built in the thirteenth century and rebuilt several times between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries; the fourteenth-century Palazzo del Podestà, the Teatro Comunale Mercantini, with its horseshoe plan and richly decorated ceiling. Must-see attractions are also: the Civic Museum, boasting five collections (the art gallery, with  important works of Vittore Crivelli and Vincenzo Pagani, the Gipsoteca One Gera, the historical ethnographic museum, the historical Museum of Risorgimento Luigi Mercantini and a contemporary art gallery); the Archaeological Museum, which houses many prehistoric, Roman and Piceno finds; the Museum of Country Life and Handicraft, which documents the rural tradition of the country and the Potter's Museum, with over eight hundred terracotta products including the typical whistles.
In Ripatransone’s neighborhood there’s a good production of extra virgin olive oil and top quality wines, such as Falerio dei Colli Ascolani and Rosso Piceno Superiore. The typical specialty is ciavarro, a spicy vegetable soup. The most important events taking place during the year are : the "Cavallo di Fuoco", a historical re-enactment on the Octave of Easter and the "Festa della Maddalena", patroness of the city, in July.

The origin of Monterubbiano can be traced back to the 3rd century BC; this delightful hill town has lost most of its fortifications, except from the Cassero (bridge house) and some parts of the walls, but has retained its medieval centre. Must-see attractions are: the fourteenth century town hall; the collegiate Church of Santa Maria dei Letterati , housing works by native Vincenzo Pagani, whom the local theatre is dedicated; the thirteenth-century church of SS. Giovanni Battista and Evangelist , boasting eighteenth century frescoes. Each year the event “ Sciò la Pica” commemorates the ancient colonization by the Piceni tribes, who came to the Marche, led by a woodpecker. The most typical dish is the "tagliatelle fritte (fried noodle pasta), whose recipe is kept strictly secret.

Urbisaglia, where the Orange Flag flies, was a large and important town in the Piceno area; it later became a Roman colony. Near to this small town lie the remains of the Roman Urbs Salvia, with the amphitheatre built in the 2nd century AD and the theatre , one of the region's most conspicuous Roman ruins, that still retains earliest decoration. Another interesting attraction is the fourteenth century trapezoid shaped fortress. Not far from the town, a must see attraction is the Abbey of Chiaravalle di Fiastra, with the church in Cistercian style, the Cistercian monastery and the palace owned by the Giustiniani Bandini family. The whole area is a Nature Reserve, an idyllic spot for country rambles covering 1825 hectares of protected land.

San Ginesio, where the Orange Flag flies, is a delightful small town with a strong medieval stamp and breathtaking views of the mountains; it retains its original medieval plan, surrounded by walls with sentry’s walkways, embrasures and towers. The village belongs to the association The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy and is included in the National Park of the Sibillini Mountains. Its historic centre boasts the splendid Collegiate Church , whose crypt houses delightful early frescoes decorated by Lorenzo Salimbeni; the 13thC Romanesque church of San Francesco and the town's civic museum, housing many works by Marche painters of the 15th and 16th centuries and a modern section collecting contemporary works, musical instruments and holy objects.
The most typical dish in town is "polenta", obtained with a variety of local corn and a sauce made of different types of meat. The most important events taking place in San Ginesio during the year are: the International Folklore Festival "The Balcony of the Sibillini" (July / August) and the historical re-enactment "Medievalia, Palio of San Ginesio and the Battle of the Fornarina" (August).

Sarnano, where  the Orange Flag flies,  is situated in the middle of a beautiful valley at the foot of the Sibillini Mountains. It also belongs to the association The most beautiful villages in Italy. Its historic centre retains the medieval origin; the beguiling little square, Piazza Alta, is flanked by the church of Santa Maria Assunta and the town's medieval municipal buildings : Palazzo del Popolo with its finely decorated gothic-romanesque portal, the Palazzo dei Priori and the Palazzetto del Podestà. The former Monastery of Santa Chiara now houses the town’s civic musem and art gallery. Sarnano is a spa town: its waters are claimed to be beneficial for a whole gamut of complaints, including gout, arthritis and liver complaints. For ski lovers the nearby Sassotetto, one of the Marche's ski resorts, offers reasonably well equipped ski lifts and accommodation.
The historic center, the monuments and the museums of the town are partially accessible. For information please write to numeroverde.turismo@regione.marche.it or contact the phone numbers listed below.

Located on a ridge between the Chienti and Potenza river valleys, Camerino boasts a well preserved medieval historic centre, that has little changed over the last few centuries. Most part of Camerino was built during the enlightened rule of the Da Varano family between the 14th and 16th centuries when its court drew artists and scholars from across Italy. In central Piazza Cavour, dominated by the statue of Pope Sisto V, stand several important buildings: the Cathedral, boaasting a 15^th century wooden Merciful Madonna, popularly called “the nice Madonna”, and in the crypt a 14^th century Gothic sarcophagus of St. Ansovino, an old bishop of Camerino; the Archbishop's Palace houses a Diocesan Museum; the Ducal Palace, which is home to the well- known University, the Brides Room with 15^th century frescoes and the Valentiniana Library with a remarkable collection of books. At the bottom of the Ducal Palace is the Botanic Garden with a 19^th century plan. The grand architectural complex of San Domenico, dating back to the 13^th century, now houses a wide collection of paintings and sculptures, including works by the Camerino painting School, the archaeological museum and the museum of natural science.
Further tourist attractions are: the 19^th century horseshoe plan Filippo Marchetti Theatre; the Baroque church of San Filippo with a remarkable painting by Tiepolo, the Church of Santa Maria in Via and the Borgia Fortress, which was ordered by Cesare Borgia, the ill-famed duke of Valentino celebrated by Macchiavelli. Not far from the town centre is the Basilica of St. Venanzio, rebuilt in neoclassical style. About 3 km far from the town centre, in the hamlet Renecavata, stands the Convent of the Capuchins, mother house of the Order , dating back to 1528. In the church there’s a wonderful glazed majolica attributed to Mattia della Robbia.

The most typical Camerino’s specialties are: the ciauscolo, a kind of spreadable salami, the nougat and the walnut bread.

The most important events taking place in Camerino during the year are: the Sword Race (May), Camerino Festival and the International Festival of Chamber Music and Theatre (August).  

This sturdy fortified medieval town, where the Orange Flag flies, stands among olive groves and vineyards where you can enjoy lovely views out over the hills and mountains of the central Marche. Its walls retain the original shape; parts of them now house the museum of wine and peasant culture; next to it is the wine bar where you can taste the best wines made in the area. The most typical one is the Verdicchio, the Marche’s most famous white wine. During the second week of August the town gives itself over to the Festa del Verdicchio, a colourful festival dedicated to the local incarnation of Bacchus. In the historic centre a must-see attraction is the parish church of S. Egidio, boasting a fifteenth century pentyptic made by Maestro di Staffolo.

It's a pretty hill town, just north of Macerata; it  belongs to the association of “The most beautiful villages in Italy” and boasts “the Orange Flag”,
and the Green Spike label, thanks to a goog recycling activities and great attention given to, educational activities on environmental issues.
It is surrounded by medieval walls and has a particularly attractive small piazza; overlooking it, the solid 15th century Palazzo Comunale, built over a shady portico, has three beautiful bottle-glazed windows. Steps lead through an archway to one side, up to the parish church, topped by a stubby spire. Inside the sober Gothic brick interior, there is refreshingly un-restored terracotta altarpiece by Mattia Della Robbia (1527), a lesser-known member of the famous Florentine artistic family.
The Compagnucci Palace houses the town picture gallery where works by Girolamo Buratti, an important canvas “Madonna enthroned with Child between Saints Andrew and Helen and musician angels” by the Spanish painter Ioannes Hispanus and the painting representing St. John the Baptist in prison by an unknown painter are preserved. In the Romanesque church of St. Nicolò there’s the oldest bell of the Marche as well as frescoes dating back to the 16th century The church of Saints Philip and James houses a canvas attributed to Pagani; the wooden altar of the church of Santa Croce is unique. The Church of St. John the Baptist houses the museum of sacred art and furnishings; the 19^th century Theatre Delle Logge is embellished by painting decorations and stuccowork. The Collegiate church of St. Lorenzo was largely renovated in 1723; it houses a large crucifix with a triumphant Christ . Worth visiting are the recently restored historic courtyards: the Augustinian cloister, the Garden of San Giacomo and the courtyard of the Monastery of the Poor Clares. The most typical specialty is "sughitti", a kind of pudding made with must, sweet corn flour and walnuts.The most important events are: the historical re-enactment "Palio dei Terzieri" (in July) and the festival of "Sughitti" (in October).

Nestling between Macerata and the coast, it preserves its original layout: its well-preserved walls retain the earliest four doorways and the roads feature the ancient stone paving. Montelupone, where the Orange flag flies, also belongs to the association of The most beautiful villages in Italy. The central Piazza del Comune is overshadowed by the tall tower of the Palazzo del Podestà with its striking battlements. Next to it is the nineteenth-century town hall, with its neo-classical portico, housing the historical Theatre Nicola Degli Angeli.
Not far for the centre, near the river Potenza, a must-see attraction is the Benedictine abbey of San Firmano. Montelupone boasts a long-standing agricultural tradition; the most typical farm produce is the artichoke. Sagra del carciofo, the festival centred around the local artichoke, take places in early May.

Amandola is a pretty small town located on the eastern slopes of the Sibillini National Park and on the left side of the Tenna river. It’s 500 metres above the sea level. The name Amandola derives from the almond tree which used to grow high in this area. It’s one of the most important centres in the Sibillini area, surrounded by high mountains, valleys carved by rivers, and lakes. The historic centre boasts remarkable religious buildings, such as the Cloister of St. Francesco, that is home to a museum documenting the social and natural aspects of the park, and the Park’s Visitor Centre. Worth seeing are also the 15^th century house with a dovecoat,  the Fenice historic theatre and the nearby 15^th century defensive tower. The 14^th century church of St. Agostino strucks for its gothic-Venetian portal, while the church of S.Francesco boasts a wooden Crucifix  and impressive frescoes of the 15th century in the chapel. 
Not far from the town centre is the Romanesque abbey of Ss. Ruffino e Vitale, founded in the 6th century, and the abbey of SS. Vincenzo and Anastasio.
Amandola is well-known for the precious white truffle, as well as for the production of the pink apple from the Sibillini Mountains, which is a Slow Food protected product. The most important events taking place during the year are: the Paniccià Carnival; the historical festival of the “Canestrelle”, celebrating the offering of wheat to the local Blessed Anthony at the turn of August; “Diamanti a tavola”, the fair of the Precious White Truffle from Amandola in autumn.
Amandola was an important centre for the production of woolen clothes; today artisans keep their own crafts alive. There's also a wide range of services for mountain lovers, including bikers and hikers. Lake San Ruffino is a further open- air tourist attraction.

Frontino is, by population, the smallest Municipality in the Province of Pesaro and Urbino and in the Montefeltro Mountain Community. it belongs to The Borghi più belli d'Italia organization (The  most beautiful villages in Italy ), that promotes Italy's most beautiful villages. Here flies the Orange Flag, that is an award given by Touring Club Italiano to small inland towns across Italy in recognition of the quality of what they offer the tourist while not sacrificing the environment. It is included in the Natural Park of Sasso Simone and Simoncello. You can enjoy breathtaking views, with Mount Carpegna in the backdrop. At the foot of the village lies the valley of the river Mutino, whose stones pave its streets. These stones were used to build beautiful towers, the castle walls and the fountains by Franco Assetto, the great artist from Turin precursor of pop art and promoter of the artistic movement "Baroque Ensembliste", who left most of his works to the city of Frontino. The museum in the old town centre is named after him.

The pride of the town is the thirteenth century convent of Montefiorentino. According to tradition, it was founded by St. Francis in 1213 and it is one of the largest monasteries in the Marche. The monastery includes a small cloister and boasts the Renaissance Chapel of the Oliva Counts, built in 1484 and a masterpiece of Renaissance art, attributed to Francesco De Simone Ferrucci da Fiesole, holding important works of art, such as the beautiful altarpiece by Giovanni Santi, Raffaello's father, and a fresco attributed to Evangelista da Piandimeleto.The fourteenth century water mill known as "di Ponte Vecchio", which supplied flour and bread to the castle, has a guard and a defense tower and it now houses the "Museo del Pane" (Museum of Bread).The monastery of San Girolamo, surrounded by oak trees, has recently been restored and it is now used as a service residence. It includes a church, a convent and a service dependence. The back wall of the dining hall is adorned with a Last Supper. The upper floor houses the old monks' cells.The most important local products are:  the black truffle and the bean, to which some events are dedicated; the so-called "bostreng" is a delicious local cake, made with eggs and milk. The National Literary Prize "Frontino Montefeltro" has been taking place in Frontino for over thirty years.