Culture - Nature - Events - Tours

Our family has always been interested in local culture and history. We edited various tourist guides and books on local customs, traditions, and about the history and archaeology of Urbisaglia. We will be pleased to suggest you the best places to visit and to satisfy your curiosities concerning the territory.

Culture
4 mls from the Cottage
The Archaeological Area of Urbs Salvia (Urbisaglia) is the most important and amazing archaeological site in Region Marche. A comfortable route leads from the Archaeological Museum, in the historic centre of Urbisaglia, through the sightseeing of the main monuments of the ancient Roman town: the Theatre, which is one of the largest Roman theatres in Italy, the Temple and its cryptoporticus (i.e. an underground arcade with fragmentsof frescoes), the Walls and the Amphitheatre, built in the second half of the 2nd century. In 2004 Urbisaglia was given the very important "Bandiera arancione" (Orange Flag) from the Touring Club Italiano.

1.5 mls from the Cottage
The Abbey of Chiaravalle di Fiastra is one of the best preserved Cistercian monastery in Italy. Founded in the 12th century, it still preserves, besides the imposing church, many of the ancient rooms of the monastery: refectory, chapter house, cloister, cellar and store houses.
Information on opening hours and entrance fees www.meridianasrl.it.
See Travel+leisure "The Other Side of Italy"
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8 mls from the Cottage
In Tolentino, the Basilica of San Nicola, (+39-0733) 976-311, with its bright floor-to-ceiling cycle of early 14th-century frescoes above, and its crypt of the saint below, is stunning. Open 7 a.m. to noon and 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.; free

Nature
The cottage is located in Fiastra Abbey Nature Reserve, at the edge of a 100 ha wood. Many paths pass through the Reserve from one end to another, where you can walk or ride. The manège is only 2 km far from the cottage. Maps and information at the Tourist Information Office in front of Fiastra Abbey.

Events
The territory of Macerata Province is not only rich in cultural events, but also in popular festivals and recollections of historical events.
Highlights in the area include the annual open-air opera season in the massive arena known as the Sferisterio in Macerata, second only to Verona in Italy's summer open-air opera calendar. Don't miss the Blues festival in San Severino (July-August), and in Urbisaglia "Massimo Urbani" Jazz Prize (June) and the performances of Classical plays in the Roman amphitheatre (July-August).

Tours
You can easily reach the beach of Civitanova Marche by motorway (34 Km).
Less than 40 Km in the opposite direction and you are in Monti Sibillini Nature Park: it spreads over 40 km of mountain peaks, including Monte Vettore, westwards into neighbouring Umbria. The area is a botanist's paradise as well as being rich in exotic birdlife.
The ones you love medieval towns should not miss Tolentino (12 Km), San Ginesio (20 Km), Macerata (15 Km) and Sarnano (25 km).
You can read from The New York Times (May 22th 2005) "Is Le Marche the next Tuscany?"

To download our suggested itineraries click here (1,198 KB .pdf file)

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