Green Flags

Originally populated by the Romans, Barchi became a fortified town in the Middle Age, becoming part of the Mondavio Vicariate; in 1400 the town was under the Duke of Montefeltro from Urbino, and in 1531 it became independent.  Barchi was completely rebuilt at the end of 1500 by the architect Filippo Terzi and thanks to the Duke Guidobaldo II della Rovere, the town became part of the Papal State until 1860. The Orci and Orciaia Museum is worth a visit; it is divided into two sections and shows documents about the activities and events happened in this territory. In the 1950s 10 furnaces and and more than 60 families was still active in the terracotta manufacture. Local artisans has a particular technique, called “wick technique” which differentiate their products from the others. The museum hosts samples of the typical pottery. Among the most famous events, there are the Sant’Ubaldo Festival, and the traditional handicraft and typical product market, which takes place the third Sunday of May.

Borgo Pace is made up of many villages and rural houses which were originated by medieval castles where  local inhabitants looked for a shelter. Besides, the town stands at the centre of Massa Trabaria, a vast Apennine area which supplied tree trunks ('trabes') to Rome for the construction of the roofs of its basilicas. Here, at Borgo Pace, the Metauro divides into two torrents, the Meta and the Auro, both of which rise from the springs on the Alpe della Luna, just over the border in the province of Arezzo.

The heart of the small village is Piazza del Pino, a square where the church of Santa Maria Nuova, the Town Hall and the most important buildings stand. Worth visiting is also the basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, which overlooks the hamlet Lamoli. In the “Aula Verde” (Green area) in Borgo Pace is the Museo del Carbonaio, where black and white photos  explain charcoal- burners’ traditional work.  The farmhouse Sacchia in Borgo Pace houses the “Farmers’ museum”, where the tools, machineries and instruments used by farmers are exhibited.  Those interested in the discovery of natural colours, can visit in the cloister of the benedictine abbey of Lamoli  the museum of natural colours.

On 15^th August in Lamoli takes place the religious feast celebrating the assumption of Holy Mary, with suggestive parade and fireworks. On the second Sunday of October is the traditional charcoal- burner festival.  

Cartoceto has very old origins, as documented by some finds, among which a Roman inscription dated 79 b.C. which was found in the old parish church. The hypothesis according to which Cartoceto was founded by a group of Carthaginians who escaped the Metauro battle during the Second Punic War ((218-201 b.C.) would therefore be confirmed. The scarce documents attest to the old origin of Cartoceto: since the 12^th century it was a fortified village surrounded by walls and it was one of the defensive strongholds of Fano. For sure the fortress and the walls were completely destroyed on 13^th July 1572 by a violent earthquake.

In the historical centre you’ll be struck by Piazza Garibaldi. It was the former market square and the Palazzo del Popolo building, with a little watch tower above, will catch your eye. In the same building you can see an arch which was formerly the entrance to the castle and had a lift bridge. The original fishbone layout with narrow alleys and flight of steps along the slopes of the hill is preserved. Within the town walls you can see the 19^th century Marcolini Palace and from Piazzale Marconi you can enjoy a nice view; locals call it “La Turchia” ( Turkey) because in the past it was the outlook point where landing Saracen pirates could be seen. Piazza Marconi is also the seat of the Triumph Theatre ( Teatro del Trionfo), which was built between 1725 and 1730 on the previous site of an olive oil mill. The modern layout dates back to 1801, the room is divided into three piers of seats; the curtain which was painted in the 19^th century and a scenic supply are still preserved. Among religious buildings worth mentioning are the Collegiate Church of the Merciful Madonna, the convent of Augustine friars, the church of Santa Maria del Soccorso and the parish church of Saints Peter and Paul.

In June you can take part to the vincisgrassi festival, which started in 1963 in order to celebrate a typical layered pasta dish from the Marche. In November the olive and olive oil exhibition market, a relevant event in the national scene which was started in 1977 in order to promote the top quality DOP olive oil of Cartoceto. Cartoceto founded together with other 29 towns the National Association of Olive Oil Towns.

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.

Senigallia is located on the Mid-Adriatic coast at the mouth of the Misa river. Its territory is mostly flat but surrounded by hills sloping towards the sea; the old town follows the urban setting of the Roman site, that was founded on a hill south of the Misa river.

SEASIDE HOLIDAY: The town boasts the famous beach dubbed “velvet”,  consisting of 13 Km of a most fine sandy coast interrupted only by the long docks of the port and by the suggestive Rotunda by the Sea, built in the XIX century to administer hydrotherapic therapies and to host parties; nowadays it hosts exhibitions and events. Along the boardwalk there are many beach resorts equipped with beach volley, soccer and tennis courts, as well as playgrounds for children. Along the promenade you can also find the “Bibliomobile”, a service offered by the city library, which lends books to tourists directly on the beach. In addition, skilled professionals perform readings and leisure activities for children. Along the main boardwalk there's a bike track, where you can bike or skate. Near Senigallia, as a natural extention of its beach, is Marzocca, whose beach is mostly pebbly. The beaches awarded with the Blue Flag label in 2018 are Levante and Ponente; in addition, the Porto della Rovere (Della Rovere Port) has been awarded the 2018 Blue Flag Harbor.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS: The symbol of the town is the Rocca Roveresca, a splendid example of fifteenth century military architecture, built by Giovanni della Rovere. Must see attactions are: the Palazzo del Duca, with its beautiful paneled ceiling painted by Taddeo Zuccari; Palazzetto Baviera, where you can admire splendid stuccos made by the celebrated plasticizer Federico Brandani in 1590; Portici Ercolani, one hundred and twenty arches in Istrian stone that line the right bank of the Misa river; they were built to accommodate the many merchants who used to come to Senigallia in July for  for its enormous commercial fair - the Maddalena Fair; the Foro Annonario, a neoclassical building in brick, projected by Pietro Ghinelli in 1834; it hosts the city market and a large number of shows and concerts in summer; the Church of the Cross, where you can admire the "Burial of Christ" by Federico Barocci. You can't miss: the Museum of Modern Art, Information and Photography, which houses some works by contemporary photographers including those made by Cavalli and Giacomelli, founders of the "Photographic School Misa", established in Senigallia in the 50s; the diocesan Art Gallery, the museum dedicated to Pope Pius IX in his birthplace. The archaeological site "La Fenice" documents the consistency of the settlement of Sena Gallica, the first Roman colony on the Adriatic Sea. 3 km from the historic center is the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, home to the "Sergio Anselmi" Museum of History of sharecropping. The homonymous church boasts a masterpiece made by Perugino. Senigallia is among the capitals of Italian restaurants: there are countless local restaurants who appear in the most famous guides to hospitality. Moreno Cedroni and Mauro Uliassi are internationally acclaimed chef. Many events are organized throughout the year like, for example, the traditional fireworks  and the folk Fair of Sant 'Agostino which enlivens the center of Senigallia in late August, drawing more than 500 exhibitors.  The most remarkable festival is the Summer Jamboree, the international festival dedicated to the music and culture of America of the 40s and 50s ; in late July and early August there are concerts of the most well-known bands of the genre, a great vintage market and motorbike parades and cars of the 40s-50s. Further important events  include: the Music festival, which is held in June, the CaterRaduno, with numerous musical and theatrical events; Pane Nostrum, the international bread festival, which takes place every September. 

About us

Belvedere Ostrense was founded, just like Ostra and Ostra Vetere, by some inhabitants of the Roman town of Ostra, although former settlements date back to the Picenes and also to the Senonian Gauls.

The landscape is characterized by gentle rolling hills, where vineyards and olive trees abound, alternated with small fluvial valleys.

The historic centre is surrounded by Renaissance walls adorned with nice little loggias and polygonal towers. It encloses interesting religious buildings, such as the parish church of St. Peter, the Collegiate church of the Virgin of Mercy and the "Sanctuary of the Vergin of the Sun ".

Belvedere Ostrense belongs to the National Association of Olive Oil Towns.

Among museums, worth mentioning is the International Museum of Post Image, which was opened in 1989. It aims at the research, production and information in the communication field.

A recurring event is the Festival of the Vergin of the Sun which takes place on the second Sunday of May. Traditional farmers’ games such as the tug of war or card games are organized.

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.

Cossignano is a small municipality with about 1,000 inhabitants and it’s in the hilly area of the ridge between the springs of the river Tesino and the stream Menocchia.

The historic centre, whose plan is approximately ovoid- shaped and measures 180×90 metres, is completely surrounded by the town walls. Their oldest parts date back to the end of the 13^th century. In the town centre you can see the Town Hall, inside of which there's a large painting representing St. George descended from his horse between St. Anthony the Abbot and St. Anthony of Padua.

Among religious buildings worth visiting is the church of Santa Maria Assunta which is the Civic Museum of Sacred Art. Beside some works by the Crivelli painting school and a valuable altar-piece by Vincenzo Pagani, it preserves several 17^th century paintings; in a shrine there is also a reliquary where remains of many saints and a very old cross, probably medieval, but which some people say comes from Jesus’ Cross, are protected. These two relics were given as a gift by Pope Nicholas IV.

A typical feature of Cossignano are the “calanchi”, i.e. deep cracks caused by the erosive action of waters in the soil.

In the Civic archaeological museum "Niccola Pansoni" you can see the finds brought to light during the excavation works carried out in the Fiorano district.

Good DOC and DOCG wines as well as top-quality olive oils are locally produced.

The most important events recurring in Cossignano are the St. George patron saint’s festival ( in April), Ascoli’s fried fish festival (in July and August) and the Middle Ages Festival (in July and August).

The historic centre, monuments and museums of Cossignano are partially accessible. For further information please write to: numeroverde.turismo@regione.marche.it or contact the phone numbers listed underneath.

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.

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.