If you really want to appreciate the territory
around Senigallia, we recommend a visit to the nearby hills and the
little walled towns of the Misa and Nevola valleys. Take the main
highway towards Pesaro. After Cesano, at the roundabout near the
shopping centre, follow the signs for Monterado.
Monterado
is the
first stop, just a few kilometres away, on a hilltop. Visit the
pine wood, and the seventeenth century stately building in the
centre of town. Leave Monterado, and go towards Castel Colonna. On
the left hand side you can admire the Adriatic coast from
Senigallia to Pesaro.
Once you reach
Castel
Colonna
, framed by its old town walls, stop for a
breather in a medieval atmosphere, and enjoy the tiny streets and
walkways.
Proceed to the next stop, Ripe. The castle embattlements bring to
mind the original ancient fortified town.
Return down the valley, to Passo di Ripe and follow signs to
Corinaldo.
Only 5km
away, on the right, a steep climb and you can admire the
spectacular fortified walls of Corinaldo, probably the best kept of
the whole region. In the Summer, many tourists, spending their
holidays on the “velvet beach”, come for a pleasant evening walk in
the old town centre. Before leaving Corinaldo, visit the birth
place of Santa Maria Goretti.
The next stop is
Castelleone di
Suasa
. On your right hand side is the valley of
the river Cesano, which goes as far as Monte Catria. Before you
reach the town, go and visit the archaeological site, of the
ancient city of Suasa.
After Castelleone di Suasa, follow signs for
Arcevia.
On the way we recommend to
visit Nidastore, Loretello, San Pietro and Palazzo and after many
slopes and steep climbs you finally reach Arcevia, the invincible
“Rocca Contrada”. Visit San Medardo Church with precious works by
Luca Signorelli, Giovanni della Robbia and Ercole Ramazzani, then
visit the Leopardi Gardens at the top end of the old town centre,
with a spectacular view from the sea to the Apennines.
We are half way on our itinerary , now heading back towards
Senigallia.
After a steep descent we recommend a trip to Avacelli, then coming
back onto the main road SS360: the next stop is Piticchio, without
a doubt the best kept of the castle towns of Arcevia.
Leaving Piticchio, follow signs for
Serra de’ Conti
. When you get
there, park your car outside the old town walls and go for a
relaxing walk around the alleys and narrow streets of the old town
centre.
If you are interested in Verdicchio (local wine) vineyards, go up
to
Montecarotto
(less
than 4 kilometres from Serra de’ Conti), from here you can admire
the blue of the Adriatic in the distance, and the green hills of Le
Marche.
Next stop
Barbara
,
founded about year 1000, its name is linked to Saint Barbara. Visit
the parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with an important
painting by Pomarancio.
Just 4 kilometres away is Ostra Vetere, which you can see from far
away, silhouetted by its neo gothic bell tower of the Church, Santa
Maria di Piazza. The town is built on terraces with streets
connected by steps. The ancient archways facing the Misa Valley are
of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.
From
Ostra Vetere
,
go down onto the main road again, SS360 and continue towards
Senigallia, until Casine. Here turn right and take the road to
Ostra.
Another
medieval walled town, in fact, right in the centre, is the
fortified civic tower built in the fifteenth and sixteenth century
and the San Francesco parish hall, containing important canvases by
Ercole Ramazzani.
Senigallia is now really close, but if you still want to savour the
charm of these hills, allow yourself another detour to Belvedere
Ostrense, enclosed by a Renaissance town wall, and
Morro d’Alba
, producer of one of
the most appreciated wines of the region “Lacrima” named after the
town. Morro d’Alba is also enclosed by its old town wall and has
exceptional architecture. Not to be missed a walk on “strada della
Scarpa”, a covered walkway all round the old town with beautiful
views from its pentagonal towers.
Your visit is complete. After the green hills, dive into the blue
of the “velvet beach” again!
Approfondimenti
