VILLAGE FESTIVITIES
From the end of May till August there are
so many festivities and celebrations that it is hard to decide
which one to visit. So you mostly choose two or three for
the night. There is a lot of competition between the villages
to organize the best and biggest event in the area. As all
kind of music in Italy is considered "cultural"
the local authorities engage and pay for very famous Italian artists and acts
to perform for the evening, so admission is free for everyone.
Creativity, what to celebrate, is endless: From "Ham" to "Melon",
"Holy John" -Strawberry-or
Mussels- Festival, you hurry to the Peach- Holy Mary - Town Foundation -
Grappa - Kiwi or Sweet-Chestnut Festival. Very often you only pay for
the food and wine is free.
Over the years there has grown a wide variety of medieval festivals.
Whole towns are decorated with torches and oil lamps, authentic scenes of
the time are enacted in the narrow streets, completing a magical Medieval
atmosphere. The enthusiasm of the actors, dressed in their costumes,
sowed with patience to detail by their mothers and grandmothers, add to these
wonderful events.The meaning of these
festivals is to strengthen the human relations in the community.
Nevertheless everyone is happy to welcome visitors from the
neighbouring villages. Being
a stranger, you will be warmly welcomed and invited to eat at their tables
in the piazza.
You should not be aversive to noise, because the "tamburi"
tirelessly parade through the streets with their drums. Flags
are waved and thrown in the air. The "nobili", the aristocrats,
walk proudly and majestically through the alleys. Children
in costume are screeching and gesticulating with excitement
until way after midnight. On every corner you will find the "artigiani" -
elderly folk, still practicing their old arts and crafts.
Because Le Marche was under the rule of the Vatican for hundreds of
years, you will find at least two or three churches even in the smallest
village. At every festival, there is always a church sermon and procession
accompanied by ear -deafening gun shots. A traditional fire-work display is
held at midnight on the last day of the festival. If you drive
through the hilly landscape at that time, maybe you will be able to see 4
or 5 fire-work displays at once.
A truly
magical experience!
PARCO NATURALE DEI MONTI SIBILLINI
- 45 minutes drive
It is the largest natural park in Le Marche and forms the western border
of the region with over 40 km of mountain peaks, stretching westwards
into Umbria. The mountains take their name from the legend, that one of the
Sibillas hid here in a cave after being banned from the under-world.
Mount Vettore (2476 mts) is the highest mountain in the region.The huge rocky
walls and crags in its eastern side with such eerie names as "Pizzo
del Diavolo" (Devils
beard) "Gola dell`Infernaccio" (Hell's Gorge) are every bit as
dramatic as the landscape of the Dolomites.
The park is never over-crowded and maybe you will not meet another person except
for a shepherd. On your way you will see picturesque villages, where time seems
to have stood still. The people are friendly and inquisitive and the food is
tasty and at reasonable prices.
MONTE CONERO –45 minutes drive
The "Parco del Conero" is famous for the great
variety (more than 1000 species) of shrubs, plants and trees
and the rich bird life. Here are the only rocky beaches of the
Marche surrounded by cliffs with breath-taking views over the sea.
In Porto Novo, Sirolo and Numana are many fish restaurants well worth visiting.
It is best to go in May and June before the high season starts and the prices
explode.
MACERATA – 20 minutes drive
Macerata, a university town from the 14th century, is well worth a visit.
Especially in July and August ,when the Arena "Sferisterio",
the second open-air opera temple in Italy is open.
The arena, an imposing half circle enclosed by tall pillars seats up to 7000
spectators. Maybe it is even more appraised by the Italian opera fans
than the arena in Verona. www.sferisterio.it
Not far from Macerata is a Cistercian Abbey, the "Abbadia di Fiastra" built
in the 12th century. In the cloister shop you can buy the famous biological
products of the monks.
The "Abbadia di Fiastra" is the most important Cistercian abbey in the
Piceno region, as it has retained nearly all of its original architecture.
Through the park of the "Abbadia di Fiastra" there are many beautiful
walks to take.
www.parks.it
FERMO - 20 minutes drive
Here you can visit the amazingly well preserved Roman cisterns which are
situated under the Piazza. As well as the tastefully restored theatre "Teatro
del Aquila",
churches from the 12th century or pompous, richly furnished old palaces.
Every Thursday in July and August there is an antique market at night.
Also in these months there are many open air concerts on the Piazza, quite
often free of admission.
Before you make yourself comfortable in a deck chair on the beach, go and
visit the weekly market in Porto S. Giorgio or Civitanova. Here you will
find shoes, handbags
and clothes in abundance at extremely fair prices.
Speaking of deck chairs, they are very expensive, like in all Italy.
But in our region you find many “free beaches” where you can enjoy the sun
and sea without paying.
PORTO SAN GIORGIO – 25 minutes drive
Here you can visit one of the largest Marinas on the Adriatic coast,where
our sailing boat is moored.
Every Thursday between 9.00 and 12.00 there is a weekly market.
Afterwards go to the café "NOVECENTO" for a real Italian cappuccino
with a freshly baked "cornetto" filled with chocolate or vanilla cream.
Nearby is the local vegetable and fish market where you can find excellent,
fresh quality produce. www.portosangiorgio.it
CIVITANOVA – 25 minutes drive
Here is a nice fishing port and another marina, small but picturesque.
On Saturday from 9.00 to 12.00 is the traditional weekly market. Especially
here you will find bags, belts and shoes at low prices, as there are dozens
of factories within a radius of a hundred kilometres.
HORSE RACING TRACK SAN PAOLO –10 minutes drive
In July and August almost every week-end there are night-racing events.
A MUST if you want to see the vivacious and passionate Italians in betting
fever.
Nearby is the hotel San Paolo where you can dine before the races begin.
But beware, it is quite expensive.
On your arrival you will receive all our insider tips and lots of information
material.
If you want more information in advance, go to www.turismo.marche.it
