Marche and Adriatic coast: country churches and castles

A trip in the Marche hinterland, along the Chienti valley, from the Adriatic coast through the gentle hills leading to the feet of Sibillini mountains. A land rich in history and art, with its Medieval Tolentino and the marvellous university city of Camerino.

Gentle hills in the green, dotted with ancient villages rich in art and history. This itinerary passes through the Southern part of Marche, showing some of its most beautiful and interesting landscapes: from the Adriatic sea to Sibillini mountains along the course of Chienti. An evocative and charming route through a large protected area, touching villages with a Medieval atmosphere, a land of country churches and castles, which are important destinations for pilgrims and art lovers: from the prospering Civitanova Marche, through Macerata, seat of regional government, to the Medieval Tolentino and the centre of erudition Camerino.

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Civitanova Marche is formed by the centre on the hills and the harbour and in these last years it increased its productiveness, what lead to a demographic grow and to a consequent urban enlargement. On a hill not far from Civitanova Marche there is Montecosaro, ancient village offering a marvellous view on the Sibillini Mounts and on the sea. Here is one of the most important churches of Marche, the abbey Santa Maria a Piè di Chienti, one of the few in Italy designed in French architectonical style with the typical corridor behind the apse and radial chapels. The first information about its existence date 936 but in the time it went through many and radical transformations, both because of restorations and of functional and structural changings. Its present forms are probably due to Abate Adenolfo's intervenction of 1125.

Tolentino shows a sometimes austere Medieval atmosphere. It is known for having been hometown of the mercenary captain Niccolò da Tolentino and because the hermit San Nicola died here in 1305. Close to the village we may visit the Rancia Castle, powerful quadrangular building dated 1300. It was first created as Benedictine abbey but its present forms are due to Andrea di Como. Today the castle has been renewed and hosts the Historical Museum of Territory.

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Caldarola lays in the so called "land of castles" (around the village raise the castles of Vestignano, Croce, Pievefavera and Valcimarra): embattled walls and high towers mark the highest part of its historical centre, keeping guard to a valuable historical and artistical heritage. 20 kilometers more and we are in Camerino, a town of great traditions that was able to preserve the charme and the taste of ancient times. It is famous for the the 300 years long rule of da Varano family and for the flourishing university. The visit may include the Citadel, the church of di S. Maria in Via, the Cathedral which was rebuilt in the IX century, the XV century Ducal Palace, the Archiepiscopal Palace with its Diocesan Museum where you may admire Tiepolo's masterchief "Madonna in gloria". Last but not least the rich Pictures Gallery, the Town Museum and the Roman-Gothic church of S. Francesco.

Vacanze a Tolentino, Camerino e le Marche

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