Lido di Camaiore is one of the most popular and best-equipped seaside resorts in Europe. Its lovely golden sand beach, stretching between Marina di Pietrasanta and Viareggio, is washed by the Ligurian Sea. The city is conveniently located to explore the charming Tuscan countryside, and is an excellent starting point towards the major tourist destinations and art heritage cities in Tuscany and Liguria. The elegant promenade, lined with beach resorts, restaurants and shops, is the hallmark of the town, and the iconic Bellavista Vittoria pier offers a stunning view over the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Apuan Alps, just behind. Sports enthusiasts will love the many beach activities and the long cycle track running from Viareggio to Forte dei Marmi. The hilly inland area is a major destination for hiking, biking and horse riding among the lush greenery, while the mountains (within short driving distance) offer a variety of routes. Lido di Camaiore has often been Giro d’Italia finish city in 1997, in 2002 and in 2007, and currently hosts the opening stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico.
Camaiore lies at the heart of Versilia, a charming region with long-established traditions, and has a varied landscape. Only a few other places on earth can boast such a combination of contrasting yet harmonising sceneries: from the heights of the Apuan Alps to the gentle rolling hills, dotted with lovely villages, to the beaches in Lido di Camaiore.
The customs and traditions of the city, such as the sawdust carpets and the oil-lamp procession commemorating the death of Jesus, made it a major tourist destination. Camaiore has a typical chessboard layout, and is surrounded by defensive walls. Major landmarks include the famous Collegiate church and the Benedictine Abbey. The town bursts into life especially in the summertime, offering a wealth of tourist attractions. The Palio takes place in June and in July, with the six town’s districts challenging each other in a set of athletic and entertaining competitions. The town of Camaiore is also known to sports and cycling enthusiasts for the historical “Gran Premio Città di Camaiore”, which was raced from 1949 to 2014, while in recent years it has become a permanent feature of the Tirreno-Adriatico route.
Scarpaccia: A savory pie, traditionally prepared with zucchini, flour, salt, pepper and onion.
Torta di pepe or “co’ pizzi”: A savory rice pie, with the alternative name referring to the lace-like design of the puff-pastry crust. The filling is made with rice, chard, bread, eggs, pepper, parsley and pecorino cheese.
Tordelli: A pasta dish, similar to ravioli, stuffed with ground beef and pork, chard, parmesan, eggs and breadcrumbs. It is served in a rich meat sauce.
Norcineria camaiorese: “Norcineria” refers to artiginal pork products, and in the Camaiore area this food originates from the butchers of the village of Gombitelli. This is a linguistic island that has hosted a Longobard population since the Middle Ages. Typical products are lard, pork mortadella, or “sbriciolona”, and biroldo. The sbriciolona is sweet and delicate tasting, made with shoulder loin, neck and pork belly, to which are added aromas and spices – salt, pepper, fennel seeds, cinnamon and cloves. Biroldo is a blood-based pork sausage, made with parts considered less noble, such as head, lungs, heart, tongue and sometimes intestines.
Badia di San Pietro: A monumental complex located near the historic center. The first documents mentioning it date back to the time of Lombard domination. At the beginning of the 12th century, the abbey reached its maximum splendor as a Benedictine one.
Pieve di Santo Stefano: The presence of this parish church is documented since the 9th century, and it is located in a hilly area below Mount Prana along the Via Francigena. It is of Romanesque-Lucchese style, and on the inside, there is a marble sarcophagus of Roman origin dating back to the 2nd century AD.
Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta: Located at the center of the city’s ancient urban layout, the church was founded in 1278 following the transformation of the existing rural village. Between 1350 and 1365 the imposing bell tower was built. It houses paintings by Marracci.
Teatro dell’Olivo: Theater of the typical style called “teatro all’italiana”. It is of seventeenth-century origin and stands in the place that once was used for the production of wool fabric. The theater was renovated during the early 2000’s and now delivers a popular program each season.
Villa Borbone delle Pianore: Located in the fraction of Capezzano Pianore, and the place where Zita di Borbone, the last empress of Austria, was born. The villa stands in the middle of a picturesque park, created by the landscape architect Deschamps.
Civic Archaeological Museum: Piazza Francigena is the location of the Civico Museo Archeologico, and the museum has undergone a long restructuring work for functional adaptation. Now it is exhibiting numerous archaeological and historical artefacts from this territory, documenting a continuity of settlement from prehistoric times, to the Middle Ages up to the proto-industrial age.
Museum of Sacred Art: Born as a place for collecting and storing furnishings, paintings, vestments, sacred furnishings from the 14th to the 16th century, the Museo d’Arte Sacra was established in 1936. It is located in the headquarters of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament of San Michele and San Vincenzo, a seventeenth century building. Standing out in the collection, is the Virgin of the Annunciation in polychrome wood by Matteo Civitali, a fourteenth-century Madonna with Child, also in polychrome wood, and a Flemish tapestry with scenes from the Passion of Christ, executed on cardboard in 1615 by Pieter Pannemaker or Giusto di Gand.
The name derives from the Latin “Campus maior”, meaning “the big camp”. The name then transformed into Campomaiore and finally into the current Camaiore. The inhabitants of the town are called “camaiorese”. The history of Camaiore begins already in prehistoric times, as revealed by the archaeological sites at Grotta all’Onda and Candalla.
Inhabited by the population of the Ligurian Apuans, later subjugated by the Romans, Camaiore was an important stopover along the Via Francigena during the Middle Ages. You can still see remains of the old town, like parts of the city walls that are still standing, and the urban plan itself. The plan is symmetrically ordered and marked by streets and districts according to the design of the “Terre nuove” (new lands) of the fourteenth century. Camaiore was elevated to the rank of a city in 1836 by Carlo Lodovico di Borbone, and it hosts numerous testimonies of the presence of nobles such as Villa Le Pianore where Zita di Borbone, the last empress of Austria, was born.
Lying in inland Tuscany, the town of Pomarance hosts a wide range of ancient and modern tourist attractions, including a museum dedicated to geothermal science (Museo della Geotermia) in Larderello, leading visitors to discover the strength of nature in the surrounding territory, and the ways mankind has tried to harness this energy. The territory of Pomarance is home to the so-called Valle del Diavolo (the Devil’s Valley), which is said to have served as inspiration for the landscapes in Dante Alighieri’s Inferno. The tall columns of white steam are actually due to a natural phenomenon (boric-acid fumaroles).
Major architectural landmarks include Rocca Sillana, a majestic stronghold sitting strategically on top of a hill overlooking Val di Cecina.
Lying in inland Tuscany, the town of Pomarance hosts a wide range of ancient and modern tourist attractions, including a museum dedicated to geothermal science (Museo della Geotermia) in Larderello, leading visitors to discover the strength of nature in the surrounding territory, and the ways mankind has tried to harness this energy. The territory of Pomarance is home to the so-called Valle del Diavolo (the Devil’s Valley), which is said to have served as inspiration for the landscapes in Dante Alighieri’s Inferno. The tall columns of white steam are actually due to a natural phenomenon (boric-acid fumaroles).
Major architectural landmarks include Rocca Sillana, a majestic stronghold sitting strategically on top of a hill overlooking Val di Cecina.
Lying halfway between the more renowned Perugia and Assisi, Foligno is an excellent destination worth discovering. Piazza della Repubblica, the true heart of the city, features an outstanding architectural “ensemble” comprising the Duomo, the Town Hall and Palazzo Trinci. The Duomo, dedicated to the patron saint of the city, St. Feliciano, is Neoclassical-Baroque in style. The Museo Capitolare Diocesano and the Crypt, inside the cathedral, are definitely worth a visit. Neoclassicism also inspired the 13-century Town Hall and crenelated tower. Rising near the Duomo is Palazzo Trinci, housing the city’s art gallery (Pinacoteca). Completed in 1407 and restored in 1949, the building has a neoclassical façade and a stunning Gothic staircase. Palazzo Orfini, nearby, was the former abode of Emiliano Orfini, the typographer who printed the first Italian edition of the Divine Comedy, and has an amazing 16-century gate. Parco dei Canapè, surrounded by the ancient city walls, between Porta Romana and Porta Todi, is the perfect choice if you are looking for a place to unwind. Local cuisine offers a wealth of traditional Umbrian delicacies such as spaghetti con il rancetto (a sauce made of pancetta, tomatoes and marjoram) and “rocciata”, a local rendition of the apple strudel with nuts, cocoa and alchermes liqueur.
Lying halfway between the more renowned Perugia and Assisi, Foligno is an excellent destination worth discovering. Piazza della Repubblica, the true heart of the city, features an outstanding architectural “ensemble” comprising the Duomo, the Town Hall and Palazzo Trinci. The Duomo, dedicated to the patron saint of the city, St. Feliciano, is Neoclassical-Baroque in style. The Museo Capitolare Diocesano and the Crypt, inside the cathedral, are definitely worth a visit. Neoclassicism also inspired the 13-century Town Hall and crenelated tower. Rising near the Duomo is Palazzo Trinci, housing the city’s art gallery (Pinacoteca). Completed in 1407 and restored in 1949, the building has a neoclassical façade and a stunning Gothic staircase. Palazzo Orfini, nearby, was the former abode of Emiliano Orfini, the typographer who printed the first Italian edition of the Divine Comedy, and has an amazing 16-century gate. Parco dei Canapè, surrounded by the ancient city walls, between Porta Romana and Porta Todi, is the perfect choice if you are looking for a place to unwind. Local cuisine offers a wealth of traditional Umbrian delicacies such as spaghetti con il rancetto (a sauce made of pancetta, tomatoes and marjoram) and “rocciata”, a local rendition of the apple strudel with nuts, cocoa and alchermes liqueur.
Fossombrone is a beautiful city rich in art, culture and history. It is situated in the middle valley of the river “Metauro”, on the ancient Roman route called “via Flaminia” halfway between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines. Located on the flat stretch among the “Cesane” mountains, the steep slope of the “Colle dei Cappuccini” and the splendid Gorge of “Furlo”, the city appears like a narrow network of buildings from which the bell towers of the churches and the facades of the noble buildings rise. The important historical events, the richness of art and culture places, the charm of natural environments make Fossombrone a destination of great interest. A place to discover little by little, to find along the streets or inside the churches and palaces, next to the testimonies of the past or in the heart of a wood, emotions out of the ordinary.
CHURCH OF SAN FILIPPO
The Church of San Filippo, a splendid example of Baroque architecture, was erected between 1608 and 1613 to celebrate the birth of the last Duke of Urbino, Federico Ubaldo della Rovere. In 1614 the Church was entrusted to the religious order of Padri Filippini. Thanks to them, over the years, the internal of the church was expanded and adorned by a rich decoration of stuccoworks partly referring to Tommaso Amantini and his workshop from Urbania. Many important altarpieces adorn the church together with worthy paintings of Francesco Guerrieri from Fossombrone.
CESARINI QUADRERIA MUSEUM HOUSE
The house – museum is made up of two adjoining buildings, whose construction dates back to the 16th century. Partially restored in 1685, it was later renovated in 1940 by the owner, the notary Giuseppe Cesarini (1896-1977), who made it a place to display the works of his art collection. The rigorously original furnishings create the atmosphere of a wealthy and well-educated family. The home is witness of a taste and a period which are still present in the beautiful rooms where the notary lived with his charming wife Maria Craveri.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The materials, all locally sourced, document the succession of the various human settlements in the middle valley of Metauro from prehistory to the end of the Roman age. The museum also contains a rich documentation of the “Piceni” civilization, which was present locally from 9th century BC until the period of the Romanization which occurred in the III century BC.
CIVIC ART GALLERY
The ducal Palace called “Corte Alta”, built by the Dukes of Montefeltro and Della Rovere in the 15th century, today houses the Civic Art Gallery established in 1901 by Monsignor Augusto Vernarecci. The valuable collection of paintings – going from from 16th century up to the end of 19th century – is composed by the donations of the family Rocchi Camerata Passionei and other legacies as well as paintings coming from closed churches and convents in Fossombrone. Among the noteworthy painters: Francesco Guerrieri from Fossombrone (1589 -1657)
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE FORUM SEMPRONII
The remains of the Roman city “Forum Sempronii” are located about 2 kms northeast of the current Fossombrone in the area of “San Martino del Piano”. Forum Sempronii, born along the “via Flaminia”, started from 220 BC, is the main link between Rome and the Po Valley on the Adriatic side. To date, important remains of private and public buildings have been brought to light as well as stretches of road paving in which limestone – from the nearby Furlo – was used.
Midway between the shores of the Adriatic Sea and the peaks of the Furlo Canyon there is a microcosm consisting of castles and hamlets surrounded by walls, of noble palaces and villas, of monasteries and little churches, clay hills, wild woods and richly cultivated farmland, which produce enogastronomic excellencies. It is the territory of the Colli al Metauro municipality, born in 2017 from the union of Saltara, Serrungarina and Montemaggiore al Metauro, crossed by the waters of its great protagonist, the Metauro river, the longest in Marche: a glorious child of the Appenine mountains, as Torquato Tasso called it. Its crystal waters flow down in the valley under the soft hills on whose tops raise small hamlets. Always a strategic transit point, along which run both the the river and path of the ancient Via Flaminia, a Roman road built in 220 b.C. by Gaius Flaminius Nepote, which for centuries was the only link between Rome and Northern Italy. The presence of these fundamental threads gave Colli al Metauro a story rich with important events which intertwined, without ever breaking them, with the humble rural habits of its population, who keep protecting and loving this land, working its farmland and respecting its historical monuments, with the cheerful but solid calm of people tied to their land by strong roots.
In Colli al Metauro all it takes, to get some rest after a long walk, is to get into one of its many typical little restaurants, calmly sit down, and taste a variety of delicacies, the product of carefully cared for local cultivations, rooted into the respect for consumers and the care for quality. Making a list of all the excellent products of the territory is not easy. But let us mention the fine olive oil and the fresh Bianchello del Metauro wine, which respectively come from the splendid olive groves and from the vineyards that dominate the landscape, which in November is further enriched by the snowy expanse of blossoming chrysanthemums, a characteristic cultivation of this area. There are also cheeses by the strong taste, such traditional pastas as “cappelletti” and “passatelli”, and such warm sweet products of the oven as “maritozzi” ( a sort of soft croissants) and nut flavoured bread. A special mention is certainly deserved by the Pera Angelica di Serrungarina (Angelic Pear from Serungarina) , acknowledged as a traditional product of Marche. It is a fruit fully deserving its name, since the sweet and tasty juice pouring out of its white soft pulp, under a golden and bright red skin that recalls the colours of the sunset, does not really look like belonging to this world. Farmers, in Colli al Metauro, always cared for their unique pear groves, which they safeguard with the labour and the love that belong to those who devoted themselves to agriculture. In the beginning of September, during the festival dedicated to the Angelica Pear, this fruit can be tasted in a number of different uses and recipes, from grappa to raviolis, to marmalades and cakes. Also heavenly is the Liquor d’Ulivi (Olive Liquor) produced by Giuliano Berloni’s biological farm, a company always characterized by the high quality of its products, strengthened by the choice of practicing the biological agriculture. Dante makes this spirit mention in his Comedy, in Paradise, by St. Pier Damiani, who lived not far from the Berloni Farm. This liquor is produced from the infusion in alcohol of olive leaves and branches, with the addition of sugar and of rigorously natural scents, through a traditional process that lasts a few months. The outcome is a liquor by the sweet balsamic flavour, which can be enjoyed either straight, or cold, or warm.
ONE HUNDRED CHURCHES AND MORE
The ancient boroughs, the historical heart of Colli al Metauro, are characterized by a strong religious tradition, which developed in centuries into the construction of a many churches, rich with history and unexpected works of art. In Saltara there is one of the most fascinating structures: the Chiesa del Gonfalone (Church of the Emblem), the buttonhole flower of the village, It was reopened in 2014 after a careful restoration, which brought back to light, above the entrance, a Doomsday fresco that depicts with a strong evocative taste the weighting of souls which at the end of time shall decide for their safety or damnation. There are also a beautiful painting from the school of Perugino, the Deposition from the Cross, and ceiling coffers bearing hand painted plasters. Inside the church, coming from an ancient Roman mansion. Between the other churches in Saltara, the attention of visitors is caught by the imposing orange façade of St. Peter Celestino’s which catches the eyes of visitors as they arrive, and Bellinzoni’s fresco in the Chiesa della Fonte (Church of the fountain), which makes the observer feel like he’s joining a renaissance court. In nearby Serrungarina is instead remarkable St. Anthony Abbot’s parish church, which hosts fine works by two local artists: a painting by Presutti, from Fano, and one by Guerrieri, from Fossombrone. But churches rise outside the walls too, such as the XVI century St. Apollonia’s in the centre of the charming borough of Bargni. In the main square of Montemaggiore, the imposing church of Santa Maria del Soccorso (St. Mary of Rescue), dating back to the XV century, hosts an interesting baroque “Last Supper”.
THE STORY OF THE METAURO RIVER AND THE MUSEUM DEDICATED TO WINSTON CHURCHILL
The waters of the Metauro river have been forded by soldiers, and its shores hosted military camps whose track are still visible in the remains of post coaches here and there on the hills. The rivers, always considered strategic because of its position, was the protagonist of one of the most bloody battles of ancient history, fought between the Roman army and the troops of Hasdrubal, the legendary Hannibal’s brother, who died here, crushed by the testudo formation of legionaries. Many centuries later, in 1944, the Metauro valley was visited by the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who together with general Alexander got up to the Montemaggiore square to have a look at the underlying valley. This is where in the night of August the 25th begun the breach of the Gothic Line, the last Nazi resistance line in Italy, which the Allies definitively stormed in January 5 1945. The memory of those events, further to the historic “Era ieri” (That was yesterday) re-enactment, they perform in August, is also patiently and passionately recovered into the Winston Churchill Historical Museum of the Metauro River, which into a deconsecrated church keeps bullets and uniforms of that time, original flags and historical photographs portrayingthe suspicious Churchill talking to Alexander about military tactics, and newspaper pages dating from those days.
An oasis of palms and greenery and a Blue-flag winning sea, paired with top-quality tourist reception facilities, fabulous food, a lovely climate, leisure activities for children, a bustling nightlife, sports and culture. San Benedetto del Tronto is all of this – and much more. The seafront is the city’s crown jewel: stretching four kilometres, it is considered one of the most beautiful promenades in Italy. The port, one of the most important ones in Italy, also has a large tourist harbour. San Benedetto started to develop in the late 19th century, following the construction of the Adriatic Railway and the creation of the first beach resort. Since then, San Benedetto del Tronto has been thriving around the sea, which is its source of economic and cultural wealth. Fishing has moved from contributing to people’s livelihoods to being the mainstay of local economy. At the same time, tourism has grown remarkably, intensely and unstoppably, and San Benedetto del Tronto has become the first city in the Marches region in terms of hotel stays. The popular “brodetto alla sambenedettese”, a fish stew with bell peppers and vinegar, which makes it different from any other recipe, is a must-taste in local cuisine. It has been a one of a kind since forever, and just a spoonful of it will take you back in time.
The Brodetto alla Sambenedettese fish soup is without doubt the finest example of local cuisine.
This recipe is handed down from the old fishermen who, once out at sea with their boats, satisfied their hunger by preparing a dish from the part of their catch which was less suitable for market. Vinegar is the fundamental ingredient. The types of fish more commonly use to prepare the brodetto alla sambenedettese include cuttlefish, squid, weever, horse mackerel, white skate, sea-hound, monkfish, scorpion fish, shrimp and mantis shrimp. Essential ingredients include white onions, red-green peppers, yellow peppers, unripe green tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil from our hills. Before serving this dish, add slices of roasted, homemade bread to be soaked in the “brodetto”.A must-try is the traditional “frittura di paranza”, a kind of fish fry only prepared with selected species caught in the Adriatic Sea.
One of the Italian cuisine’s most peculiar dishes, the meat-stuffed olives known as “olive all’ascolana”, takes its name from a place in the Marche region, the city of Ascoli, where the recipe is supposed to be originally from.
San Benedetto del Tronto and the lands of Piceno are the area with the greatest wine production of the Marche region. Piceno was initially known for its red wines, the first to receive national recognition, gradually joined by local whites (Passerina and Pecorino), that are experiencing new vitality today thanks to the general public. At present, the reality of the Piceno wine can count on: DOCG “Offida”, Rosso Piceno DOC ,Rosso Piceno Superiore DOC, Falerio DOC and Falerio Pecorino DOC, Terre di Offida DOC. The Offida DOCG is named after the town of Offida. The DOCG was established in 2011, it includes three types of wine: Offida Rosso, Offida Passerina and Offida Pecorino. The DOC Rosso Piceno is the first DOC born in the Piceno province. Established in 1968 and changed later, its name dates back to the Piceni, the pre-Roman population. The Rosso Piceno Superiore type is produced in a limited area: only 13 municipalities in the province of Ascoli Piceno. It differs from the Rosso Piceno DOC for the additional ageing time spent in wood. The Falerio DOC dei Colli Ascolani was established in 1975 and changed later. The name is linked to the origins of the history of the Piceno area: in fact, it derives from Faleria, an ancient Roman city now known as Falerone (Province of Fermo). The value of this wine lies in the coastal culture, linked to the use of fish: no other wine like Falerio enhances the flavour of white and blue fish that the Adriatic Sea offers the inhabitants of this area. The Offida wines have been acknowledged as DOC in 2001, for the Passerina spumante, vin santo and passito types. The name was changed to Terre di Offida in 2011.
San Benedetto del Tronto has always been connected with sea and sea tradition. The Museums of the Sea includes the Maritime civilization Museum, the Amphorae Museum, the Fish Museum and the Truentinum Antiquarium. The Art Gallery of the Sea, opened in April of 2009, is part of the Museums of the Sea. The MAM (the Museum of Art on the Sea) is a permanent outdoor museum, collecting 145 works of art. The older part of the town, with its fourteenth century hexagonal Gualtieri Tower and red brick houses, sits above the main resort. The most remarkable tourist attractions are: the Sanctuary of the Blessed Sacrament Modonna, the Santa Maria Cathedral of the Marina, the Church of St. Joseph, the Municipal Concordia Theatre, the Lighthouse.
San Benedetto del Tronto was a martyr and a soldier born in Cupra during the reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian. Shortly thereafter, following the edict of Constantine in 313 AD, some believers built a chapel around the tomb. Since then, San Benedetto has been highly revered by locals. The archaeological findings indicate Roman origins, linking San Benedetto to the ancient city of Alba Picena on the right bank of the Albula river.
The first document which indicated the name of the village dates from 998. In 1478, there was a plague epidemic which decimated the city’s population. The area remained virtually uninhabited until refugees from Romagna repopulated San Benedetto where they were granted land leases. From the 16th century until the 19th century, the Turks repeatedly invaded the city where they captured sailors and forced them into slavery. Since 1650, the urban center expanded beyond the city walls. In 1754, the first marine suburbs. In 1860, the “Cacciatori delle Alpi” freed the city from the dominion of the church. The Royal Decree giving San Benedetto the “del Tronto” attribute was in 1896. From 1943 to 1944, during the Second World War, the city suffered 144 air raids and 6 naval shellings. Following the end of the war, the city’s economy and businesses prospered. Fishing became a cornerstone of the local economy and in the 1960s and 1970s, the city became one of the largest fishing ports in Italy. After the war, San Benedetto became a popular holiday resort on the Adriatic coast.
