Village of Colmurano-

 

Less than a mile from our house and if you are ambitious you can actually walk. There you will find a pretty town square with church, cafe, restaurant, fruit market, small grocery, butcher, bakery, couple of clothing shops. The local Mayor is Ornella and if you see here in the square be sure and say Bonjourno. We have one local policeman just in case... There is a local doctor who actually makes house calls in emergencies, good to know. Just down the road at the base of town is a tasting room for the most local wine. Saputi Winery here is the link to their website.

 

 

 

 

Hamlet of Urbisaglia-

 

The Rocca di Urbisaglia is a 16th century military fortification just 10 mins from the house, including ruins of medieval fortifications and Roman walls. Its imposing position, dominating the urban area and the Fiastra Valley below, suggests that the Arx (the citadel, the most protected area of the town) or the Capitol of the Roman town Urbs Salvia was once located here.

Just outside the city walls, there are two funeral monuments and the Amphitheatre, one of the best preserved examples of this type in the Marche region.

 

The amphitheatre was built after the year 81 AD by the Urbisalvian Titus'

military general Lucius Flavius Silva Nonius Bassus, who captured the Masada fortress in Palestine. The amphitheatre was used for gladiatorial contests and other entertainments. All its perimeter is preserved up to the first seating level, including the first level of the vomitoria (the exit-ways) and the bases of the pillars of the external corridor. In its original form it probably had three tiers of seats. 

 

There are concerts and readings currently done here. Some of the villages in Le Marche actually still have jousting reinactments at some of their festivals. 

Read more: http://www.the-marche-experience.com/products/urbisaglia/

Hamlet of Tolentino-

 

Just a 15 min. drive from the house is this charming hamlet with Castello della Rancia which is open all year long except Christmas and New Years. More restaurants, churches, theatre, cinemas, lake and many places to shop. A lovely place to spend an afternoon enjoying the architecture, people and food. The church we attend is in this town and everyone is so warm and friendly. Make sure you go in through the one way bridge it's a very present reminder of days gone bye.

 

City of Macerata-

 

This striking city sitting up on the hilltop just 30 mins drive from our house is one of my favorites, not just because of it's beauty but because of all the culture that just exudes from it. If you were ever going to go to the opera this is the place, the venue Arena Sferisterio breathtaking and you can enjoy other concerts besides opera as well, just check out the link for details.

 

Other spots of interest the Teatro lauro Rossi a baroque masterpiece was built in 1765. The construction of the Civic Tower (or clock tower) began in 1492 was completed in the later half of the XVII century. It is 204 ft high and affords a beautiful panoramic view from the sea to the Sibillini mountains. Area Archeologica Helvia Recina contains the remains of the ancient colony founded in the 3rd century BC. The glorious past of the ciry is attested by the ruins of the theatre, one of the largest of the Marches.

 

There are five different piazza's in the city and here are some maps to guide you to them. Comune de Macerata Saturday outdoor markets and there alwasys seems to be some sort of festival going on there. It's a university town so many diverse things to do. The Palazzo Ricci Museum, Carriage Museum just to name a few and of course the food is fabulous the wine is locally made what is not to love.

 

 

Civitanova-

Our nearest seaside town, where you can enjoy a day on the beach, just ask us about reserving a spot during June, July or August. Risto Re Sole is where we reserve space on the beach. Many designer outlets and local shops to chose from. A nice theatre in the center of town with dance, music or other performances during the year. Also the local cinema listings. click here for recent events.  Every saturday morning there is an outdoor market with everything from leather shoes to fish. Civitanova Alta (meaning about the seaside town) is a marvelous 11 th century town with a cute piazza and some shops and gallerys to take a look.

 

 

Recanati-

A remarkably attractive hill town, Recanati is close to the heart of many Italians as the birthplace of one the country's greatest poets, Giacomo Leopardi (1798-1837). He passed a sheltered childhood, self-imprisoned in his father's classics-filled library and spent the rest of his life trying to recapture in his pessimistic verse the illusion of happiness, glimpsed fleetingly as a youth in Recanati. Palazzo Leopardi at the southern edge of town, where he was born and brought up, holds memorabilia, manuscripts and his fascinating library. Around every corner, plaques mark spots referred to in his poems.   The museum in Villa Colloredo-Mels, a splendid 18th century villa on the edge of the town centre, holds Recanati's greatest art treasure, a room with four of Lorenzo Lotto's finest pictures, including a most haunting Annunciation packed with almost breathless narrative detail - a high spot in any art-lover's tour of the central Marche.   Recanati was also the home town of the great tenor, Beniamino Gigli and the Museo Gigli in the Palazzo Comunale, or town hall, on central Piazza Leopardi holds a collection of his costumes from some 30 operas, a mock-up of his dressing-room and some of the many presents he received, including a walking stick from Verdi.