Food
1) “Tajulin sa la fava alla Mondolfese” – Traditional dish of the Marche Region “Tajulin sa la fava” originated in the lively San Sebastiano district, thanks to the dedication of local volunteers eager to preserve this humble yet authentic recipe. The dish consists of handmade pasta made from wheat and broad bean flour, traditionally served during the annual festival, either with a tomato sauce or in broth, celebrating the flavours of rural tradition.
2) “Sugo con tonno alla Mondolfese” – Traditional dish of the Marche Region In Mondolfo, the intense aroma of sugo con tonno (“il sug sal tonn e alic” in local dialect) heralds the arrival of spring during the historic “Spaghettata” festival. This distinctive red sauce, made with tuna and anchovies and enriched with carefully selected herbs and spices, boasts a unique and unmistakable flavour.
3) Garagoi – Delicious sea snails slowly simmered for over two hours in tomato sauce with garlic, wild fennel, mint and chilli pepper. Rich in intense sea flavours, they are traditionally enjoyed by sucking the shells to savour their full taste. A hallmark of Marotta’s maritime heritage, they are celebrated every spring during the long-established “Garagoi Festival” along the seafront.
4) Sant’Anna Sweet Biscuits – These traditional sweets stem from an ancient custom blending gastronomy and spirituality. According to tradition, the original recipe was created within the walls of the Monastery of Sant’Anna by Benedictine nuns. Made with simple ingredients – flour, eggs, sugar and a hint of anise – they are shaped like small animals and delightfully fragrant.
Points of Interest
1) Bastion of St. Anna
The Bastion of St. Anna is a mighty Renaissance fortification, recently restored, overlooking evocative underground chambers opening onto the “Martiniano Garden”, framed by a graceful sequence of arches once used as lemon houses. The original gunports are still visible along the outer walls, while the underground spaces reveal the military layout of the structure, enhanced by a dedicated exhibition hosting the “Terre Martiniane” project, led by Mondolfo.
2) St. Augustine Complex
The St. Augustine Complex includes the former Augustinian convent and the Monumental Church of St. Mary of Succour, dating back to the mid-16th century. The church features a single nave adorned with splendid altars and paintings by leading 17th-century artists from the Marche region, including Tiarini, Guerrieri, Ridolfi and Ceccarini. The former monastic service rooms now house the Civic Museum, displaying artefacts from the Picene era to the early 20th century.
3) Abbey of St. Gervasius
Declared a National Monument in 1927, the Abbey of St. Gervasius of Bulgaria is the most important religious site in the area. This medieval basilica-style church has three naves, modified over time, and features an outstanding circular crypt supported by a central Roman column. Inside lies a precious 6th-century Ravenna-style sarcophagus, the largest of its kind in the Marche region.
4) Sanctuary of “Madonna delle grotte”
Built in 1682 as an act of devotion, the Sanctuary of “Madonna delle Grotte” reveals a richly carved and gilded wooden altar, framing a niche that shelters the miraculous terracotta image of the Virgin and Child amid clouds and cherubs. The sanctuary is a major pilgrimage destination for worshippers from across the Cesano Valley.
5) “Valley of Tufa” Nature Trail
The “Valley of Tufa” trail starts from the pinewood near the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Grottoes and winds through country paths toward the ancient village of Stacciola, passing steep tufa cliffs, woodland and the small lake known as “Grottaccia”. The unique geological features of the area provide an ideal nesting habitat for colourful European bee-eaters, which spend the summer here.
6) Mosaic Seafront Promenade
Marotta’s seafront has been transformed by an ambitious cultural project. Colourful mosaics, created entirely by volunteers, decorate the low walls separating the beach from the promenade along Via Cristoforo Colombo, forming a captivating seaside walk stretching for several kilometres. The long-term goal of creating one of the world’s longest mosaic artworks is steadily taking shape.
7) “The Eleven Heroines” Gardens and Monument
Set between Piazza dell’Unificazione and Via Faà di Bruno in Marotta, the “Eleven Heroines” Gardens host the monument commemorating one of the most moving episodes in local history. On 18 November 1917, eleven young women braved wind, waves and storm to rescue the crew of the military pontoon Faà di Bruno, stranded offshore. Their extraordinary courage was honoured with the Bronze Medal for Military Valour.
8) Castle Armoury
Housed within the ancient walls along Via Vandali, the Castle Armoury displays replicas of medieval and Renaissance weapons, including swords, shields, helmets, halberds and historic artillery. This evocative route recounts the story of the fortress and its defences. In summer, a costumed armourer welcomes visitors with demonstrations and historical tales. Replicas of ancient cannons can also be admired along the ramparts, on the Bastion of St. Anna and at the castle belvedere.
9) Remembrance Park and War Memorial
In Mondolfo’s Remembrance Park stands the War Memorial, designed by sculptor Torquato Tamagnini and inaugurated in 1926. The massive stone blocks were transported by train from the Karst region. At its summit, a bronze infantryman waves the Italian tricolour, symbolising memory and sacrifice. Two World War I trench mortars and a memorial stone listing the fallen complete this poignant site.
10) Marotta Pier
Redeveloped in 2017 with new paving, lantern-style lighting and colourful mosaics, Marotta Pier is now one of the most evocative landmarks of this Blue Flag coastline. A focal point of the promenade along Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo, it hosts summer events and offers moments of relaxation. Built in the immediate post-war period as a fishing harbour and breakwater, it perfectly blends maritime tradition with lively tourism.
