The Coastal and Hilltop Towns

The historical roots of this suggestive place are all linked to the old village of Gabicce Monte, rising at 150 m above sea level, and whose original name Castrum Ligabicij o Ligabitii seems to derive from the Lord Ligabitio, the feudatory controlling its lots at the end of the 10th century. The name Gabicce could be traced back to the activity once carried out by the dwellers, mainly devoted to agriculture and breeding: from here comes “legabecchi”, billygoats breeders.
In 909 already, it is attested the existence of a parish community around the Church of S. Ermete, still now at the city gates. To the same age should date back the city walls, since in a papal bull dated 998, the place is called Castellum Ligabitii.

Travelling along the panoramic road and crossing a beautiful environment protected by Regional Natural Park of Colle San Bartolo, you reach Fiorenzuola di Focara, the ancient Castrum Florentii, which fell under Pesaro in the thirteenth century. The village, originally called Fiorenzuola, in 1889 took the name of Focara, probably because of the fires that were lit to help sailors to identify the location of the promontory. Indeed the promontory was known for headwinds or for the presence of little furnaces where bricks and terracotta were fired.

The villa, built by Carlo Cattani as a private residence, dates back to the years 1630 to 1680.

It was renovated and enlarged between 1717 and 1732, when the Florentine pontifical legate Alemanno Salviati made it his country residence. That is the time when the visit took place of James III Stuart, who adorned himself with the title of king of England, which the Catholic Church still acknowledged to him.

Although the garden suffered serious damage during World War II, its general design is still recognizable: most of all, the two intermediate terracing, restored with a boxwood adornment, still evoke the memory of a XVIII century garden. They were rebuilt in the last decades, after the villa was bought by Messrs. Tomassini, who recreated the garden based on the memories of Mrs. Rita Marconi Scala, the last owner who had been able to admire the gardens before they were destroyed.

Nowadays, behind and by the right side of the building, three beautiful Italian gardens can be admired. They are united by short staircases, adorned with evergreen borders and flowerbeds, rich with fountains, basins, little temples and stone statues, surrounded by walls and protected by wrought-iron gates. The whole underlying valley can be admired from here, along with the changing blue shades of the Adriatic sea on the background,.

Montemarciano is located on the north side of the Esino River. The land mainly consists of hills. On the east side, there is the Gulf of Ancona, the Mount Conero in the background, on the south the Apennines, with the Mount San Vicino in the foreground. Among the monuments and points of interest there are: St. Peter the Apostle Parish Church; Church of the Blessed Sacrement; “V. Alfieri” Municipal Theatre, built in 1886-87; Sanctuary of Our Lady of Light, dating back to the 15th-17th centuries in Alberici; the old rural church built in 1700 in Santa Veneranda. Montemarciano, once called “Houses Burned”, was the northern border of the Ancona Republic. 

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Montemarciano has 5 km of pebble beach. Music and parties entertain people in bathing establishments along the coastline. WHAT TO SEE: Marina di Montemarciano was a Roman town, as shown by recent discoveries, and a relay station. Along the State Road 16, the Mandracchio, built in the 15^th century, is a clear evidence of the old post house.

Popular for its confectionery industry, Falconara Marittima, few miles north from Ancona, is a resort characterized by a long sandy beach. It is equipped with several bathing establishments providing leisure activities and entertainment. The resort boasts a zoo park and the “Raffaello Sanzio” International Airport.

Numana is located along the central Adriatic Sea, at the southern slopes of Mount Conero. Its territory is almost completely included in the Conero Regional Park. The historic center in the area is called Numana Alta, as it is at the top of a cliff overlooking the sea; Numana Bassa includes the area below the marina. Numana Alta’s beach features two bays close to the cliff: the Spiaggiola beach and “the Friars’ beach”; the beach of Numana Bassa stretches from the port until the village of Marcelli, boasting numerous beach establishments, campgrounds and holiday clubs. Svarchi, Numana’s inland, is mainly hilly. In the southern part of Numana, which corresponds to the southern borders of the Conero Park, lies the mouth of the river Musone, an important natural wetland. The main tourist attractions are: the arch of a tower on the top of the hill overlooking the harbour; the rest of the bell tower of a church or of a watchtower; a state archeological museum, housing the Piceni’s tombs kits, the Shrine of the Crucifix with a crucifix in cedar wood, a remarkable Byzantine sculpture dating back to the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries; the city hall, a palace built in 1773, once used as a summer residence of the bishops of Ancona, and the Costarella, one of the most typical streets of Numana. Sport lovers have the opportunity to practice a lot of activities: hiking, biking, sailing, surfing, windsurfing, tennis and scuba diving.

Porto Potenza Picena is the most populous hamlet of Potenza Picena, in the province of Macerata; it’s a seaside resort on the Adriatic coast.
SEA TOURIST OFFER: the beaches are large and mostly sandy; in some parts of the beach there's a varied flora and fauna. It is home to an active sports center and to an equipped marina for berthing of small pleasure boats, ideal for sailing and water sports lovers. Close to the northern coast are two salt ponds. A bike path that begins in  State Adriatic Highway SS16 - (mountain side) and continues until the lakes area (Acquabuona Bridge) is available. 

ATTRACTIONS: the beautiful Tower of St. Anne – what remains of a watchtower of the 15th century - and the neo-Gothic church having the same name. A few km inland a must see attraction is one of Italy’s few remaining 18th century gardens with a beautiful red-brick splendid villa (Villa Bonaccorsi). The Villa is a fine example of 18th century residence, surrounded by fountains and magnificent statues. Porto Potenza Picena belongs to the Municipality of Potenza Picena , a town that boasts nice churches, the Teatro Mugellini, dating back to 1862, and a Civic Art Gallery Art. The most significant events  taking place in the territory are: the Festival  of St. Anne in Porto Potenza (July), the re-enactment of the Fishing with "sciapeca" in Porto Potenza Picena (August) and the Festival of the Golden Vine Bunch in Potenza Picena ( September)

Civitanova Alta is an ancient village built on a hill surrounded by the walls of a medieval castle. Here lies the historic theater Annibal Caro  that hosts , along with the other two theaters of Civitanova Rossini and Cecchetti, an important theater season. It is named after the most famous local character, whose birthplace is also located in the village. Another highlight of the city is Civitanova Danza, an international event, that reminds another prestigious fellow citizen, Enrico Cecchetti, primo ballerino at the court of Russia in the nineteenth century. The Pinacoteca Comunale Moretti (with a permanent exhibition of paintings by Carrà, Morandi, De Chirico, Guttridge and Ligabue) and the former Church of St. Augustine are two other cultural sites of the city where, for some years, summer exhibitions are held. Also interesting are the Tramway Station (1900) in Art Nouveau style, rich in polychrome ceramics, the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions, with many artifacts of the peasant culture of the Marche, and the Historical Museum of Trot, unique in its kind, out of the town.

Porto Sant’Elpidio is a town along the coast of the Marche Region, in the province of Fermo; it is in the heartland of the Marche’s shoe industry. The historic fishing village, which was the seaport of Sant ‘Elpidio a Mare, has today become a fashionable seaside resort. It features a 7 km sandy and pebbled beach, a cycling path, pine woods and well equipped campings. Porto Sant'Elpidio is a member of "Friend of Itinerant Tourism City", giving the motor caravans the possibility to stop and use essential services, such as dumping waste and drinking water.

Must see attractions are: the old Clock Tower, symbol of the city, built to defend the town from pirate raids, the Church of the Annunciation and splendid villas, such as Villa Murri and Villa Barrucchello, that host cultural events in Summer. The Sanctuary of Addolorata was founded in the 16th century in the nearby Cova area. The basin of the Tenna river, also called “Paludi di San Marco” (St. Marco’s Marshes), is an ideal location for bird watching in early Spring and late Autumn. The most important event taking place in Porto Sant'Elpidio is  "The World Theatre", the International Theatre Festival for children (July), with shows and perfomances at the "Teatro delle Api", opened in 2006. The Festival is one of Italy's most remarkable events dedicated to the theatre for children. A  must in summer time is the Sant'Elpidio Jazz Festival.

Porto San Giorgio is a town on the Marche’s coastline. What was once the ancient port for the inland city of Fermo is now a pleasant seaside resort with sandy beach, numerous facilities and a well-equipped marina. Its streets, sandwiched between the main SS16 road and the sea, offer plenty of chances for window shopping and in high summer the place has a lively air and plenty of concerts. It owes some of its charm to a few fine examples of the Liberty Style architecture that was much in vogue in the smarter seaside resorts across Italy at the turn of the 19th century. Its 13th century fortress, built by Lorenzo Tiepolo, later Doge of Venice, stands close by the town’s central square, and has fine towers and high keep.

Porto San Giorgio is an important holiday resort. Its beach (awarded the Blue Flag in 2018) is sandy. It boasts many beach resorts and hotels. A biking track is also there, and a richly equipped yacht basin offers to yachtsmen and yachtswomen the pleasure of a safe haven for high level sailing (it is awarded the Blue Flag since 1987). The boardwalk is embellished with century-old palm trees; its paving and city lights are enclosed in a suggestive frame by liberty apartment houses built in the beginning of the XX century. Many of such houses can be admired in the town centre: for instance the Villa of Roses. Built in 1921, whose outside is decorated with most refined majolica ornaments, while Art Nouveau embellishes the whole inside. Since 2015 children may enjoy the Bambinopoli (“Childrentown”) Square, a wide playground by the boardwalk where they may run around, bike and skate and have fun on brand new toy structures.

Must see attractions are: the historic Theatre “Vittorio Emanuele”, built at the beginning of the twentieth century; the nineteenth century church of San Giorgio, housing a copy of the polyptich of Porto San Giorgio made by Carlo Crivelli; the baroque Church of the Suffrage; the Church of the  Holy Rosary; the Villa Bonaparte, built upon the order of Girolamo Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother, who lived in Porto San Giorgio between 1829 and 1832. Another very interesting building is Villa degli Oleandri (Riva Fiorita), surrounded by a large garden, now housing the Museum of the Sea. The most typical dishes are the garagoli ( sea snails in red sauce and spices) and the fish stew. Vin cotto (boiled wine) is the traditional local wine. The most remarkable event is the Sea Festival (Festa del mare) a celebration of all things fishy, and featuring a giant "frying pan". The Padella gigante dell'Adriatico is six metres in diameter, holds some 1,000 litres of cooking oil and is used to fry roughly 1,000 kilos of baby squid and sardines in around three hours. In September there is the International Festival of Chess, attended by professional players from around the world.

The charming center of Torre di Palme is a fantastic panoramic balcony on top of a hill dominating the coast and the Adriatic Sea.

Torre di Palme is characterized by the preservation of its environment and the stylistic uniformity of the medieval and Renaissance buildings, elements that make it, despite its small size, one of the most interesting historical centers of the region.

The visit of the town can start from the little Church of San Giovanni dating from 1000, in ashlars of stone and hanging arches, in which there are frescoes of the fifteenth century, followed by the Palazzo Priorale with a round arch walled in the frontage and a small bell gable and the Gothic Church of Sant'Agostino (formerly of the Hermits) with the adjacent convent, with its typical red brick, whose façade is ennobled by a beautiful Gothic portal and a rose window: not to be missed, inside , a panel of Vincenzo Pagani (1578) and an impressive altarpiece by Vittore Crivelli, ennobled by the original frame in carved wood and characterized by bright enamelled colors , made even more intense by the gold of the background. Continuing along the course leads to the Church of Santa Maria a Mare, built in the twelfth century and later amended, in ashlars of stone and terracotta, whose bell tower is decorated with interlaced arches and majolica basins: the interesting interior has three naves with raised presbytery and Byzantine frescoes of the fourteenth century. On the left of the church, in a small garden, there is a well-curb, once used as a baptistery.

Torre di Palme is surrounded by the lush vegetation of the protected area called "Bosco del Cugnolo", where typical plants of the Mediterranean Sea can be found. It's very appreciated by hikers and it also features the Lovers' Cave, which is the place of the tragic love between Antonio and Laurina.  

The origins of Altidona date back to 150,00 years ago. Then it was inhabited by an ancient Greek population called Pelasgi and then by the Picenes and the Romans.

It belonged to Fermo, to the Abbey of Farfa in Sabina, then again to Fermo.  At first a castle was built which in upper medieval times collapsed into the sea or was destroyed by local inhabitants. After the 12th century they built a new castle near the parish of Santa Maria and San Ciriaco, which was  at the top of a hill and still exists.

Altidona was a minor castle ruled by Fermo. The medieval walls are well preserved. Worth visiting are also the outlook, the Medieval watch- tower overlooking the Aso valley and the parish church which houses a painting attributed to Vincenzo Pagani representing the Holy Mary with Child, two saints and a patron. Villa Montana and a Roman cistern are in the old contrada called Barbolano. The municipal theatre hosts concerts, plays and theatre performances.  
In Altidona you can see the Provincial Photo Collection where images documenting the history of Fermo and its surroundings can be found.

Altidona overlooks the Aso valley and Marina di Altidona is by the sea. It’s a stretch of coast with sand and pebble. Among pinewoods and century-old palm trees you can see nice villas and accommodation facilities. Cyclists can ride along the coast for 3 kilometres or along the river Aso. A nice cycling path starts from the park called “Parco dei Due Ponti” and reaches the beach. This park is also the ideal place for children looking for fun and green areas, as it’s a wide park with centuries-old trees  and play spaces.

Every year,in summer, a typical food event is organized where cornmeal mush is served with snails or seafood. It brings back to memory the spare meals of farmers, although, through the years,  further typical dishes made with fish and meat have been added.

Cupra Marittima is a seaside resort belonging to the “Palm Tree Riviera” in southern Marche. Behind the resort there are three hills: Sant'Andrea with the eponymous castle, recently restored; Marano, the medieval hilltop borgo of Cupra Alta, and Boccabianca.The lush vegetation ( pines, palms, oleanders), the shortish sandy beach and the peaceful atmosphere provide the perfect setting for a relaxing holiday. A wide cycling path crosses the seaside resort and runs until San Benedetto del Tronto.

ATTRACTIONS: Cupra Marittima's pride is the Piceno Malacological Museum, one of the world's most important shell museums, with a collection of over 900,000 shells. In the northern part of Cupra Marittima, there’s an Archaeological Park, documenting the Roman settlement: the urban layout of the Roman site is still recognizable. In nearby San Michele are the ruins of Villa Magna with a nymph, while in Civita the area of ​​the Forum can be seen. The archaeological site of Cupra Marittima hosts the Theatre Festival called TAU (Classical Theatre Productions), staging Greek and Roman plays. To the south of Sant'Andrea's hill are the ruins of St. Andrew's Castle, the remains of the XII century village. Heading west and turning north you come close to the medieval hilltop Marano, housing many art treasures: Villa Grisostomi Villa; the medieval church of Santa Maria in Castello; Palazzo Sforza; the Archaeological Museum of the territory, which is home to the Church of the Annunciation with its artistic permanent Nativity of Spanish art; the Church of the Suffrage, boasting the wonderful altarpiece of the "Deposition". It's worth visiting the Collegiate Church of St. Basso to admire the extraordinary triptych made by Vittore Crivelli and once entirely painted by Giuseppe Pauri in the thirties of the twentieth century. You can also appreciate the impressive staircase built by Vespignani and then reach Piazza della Libertà in front of the Town Hall, with its beautiful clock tower designed by Sacconi. In August the Feast of St. Basso enlivens the town.

Cupra Alta or Marano offers an amazing view over the sea and the Palm tree Riviera. The old part is almost intact, boasting walls with square and polyhedral towers and the gates of the fortress.

One of the major attractions of the city is the Archaeological Park of Cupra Maritima on the Colle of Civita (and on the adjoining Colle of San Basso or Morganti), at around 1,500 m north of the built-up area, where it is possible to spot a relevant part of the urban system of the roman town and maybe the finds of the ancient Temple dedicated to the goddess Cupra; the several archaeological finds, coming from the excavations,
are held in the Museum of the Territory, recently moved to the Palace Cipolletti in the village of Marano.

GROTTAMMARE is a seaside resort of the Palm Tree Riviera, boasting a remarkable cultural and historical heritage and 5km of fine sandy beaches. It has been awarded the Blue Flag by the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe), three “ Vele Blu “ by Legambiente and is included in the list of “The most beautiful villages in Italy”.
Its pretty traffic-free promenade is backed by some splendid examples of seaside Liberty architecture - grand villas that date back to the turn of the last century. Along with the many palm trees that line the seafront, bright flower beds and well-kept lawns give the place great charm.
The so called Pineta dei Bersaglieri is an area where children can play and have fun. If you wish to relax, you can enjoy sitting on a bench  in Piazza Kursaal, covering an area of about 5000 square meters, paved with travertine stone and decorated with a ground-level fountain, pine and palm trees.
The Medieval historic borgo up above the main resort has fine old buildings and great views out to sea. The most remarkable monuments are: the Church of Sant’Agostino and the attractive Church of Santa Lucia, built in 1597 in memory of the town's most famous son, Pope Sixtus V. In Piazza Peretti stand Teatro dell'Arancio and the Church of San Giovanni Battista, home to the Sistine Museum. Since 2004 the 16th century Tower of the Battle has been converted into a museum, housing an impressive collection of sculptures by Pericles Fazzini, who made the well- known “Resurrection” in Vaticano’s Sala Nervi.

The renovated museum dedicated to Giacomo Pomili houses the artist’s earliest works and further paintings depicting legends , female characters , landscapes, etc. In summer you can stroll along Corso Mazzini, full of street markets, listen to music in Piazza Fazzini or enjoy the big Cabaret at Parco delle Rimembranze. For those who love romantic atmosphere, you can listen to classical music and learn about poetry in the old medieval village. Cinema, art and theater are other forms of entertainment for all seasons.

The most remarkable events taking place in Grottammare are : Cabaret amoremio! - International Humor Festival (August), Liszt Festival (July / August), Juttenizie - gastronomic walk (August / September) and the Living Nativity (December 26 / January 1 and 6). 

Grottammare has also been awarded the Spiga Verde of the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe), thanks to the policies adopted for environmental sustainability and for involving citizens in the protection of the environment.