Óur beloved city! Senigallia, the beating heart of Le Marche.
Casale di Oto is just 3 km from the historic centre of Senigallia.
Senigallia has won a special place in our hearts. It is a clean city and breathes history. Its beautiful squares, old buildings and characteristic churches bear witness to a rich history. Every little street tells a story that goes way back. In the past, Senigallia was an important trading centre. The reason was the river Misa, which runs right through the centre. Today, the impressive colonnade 'Portici Ercolani' still flaunts on its banks.
It is an absolute must-see. Today, you will find numerous coffee bars and small shops. Senigallia is home to the nicest shops and boutiques all over the centro storico (old town). Discover an array of inviting terraces and eateries. From Michelin stars to cosy pizzerias, the best gelaterias, osterias and atmospheric aperitivo bars. Senigallia has something for everyone.
Not only the old town is worth a visit. You can easily walk to the promenade. Strolling by the sea. The lively promenade by the beach invites for leisurely strolls. Enjoy the sunset, taste fresh pasta or a delicious fish dish in the cosy beach bars and seafood restaurants. What makes Senigallia really special are its kind and hospitable people.
Feel welcome.
Benvenuti a tutti!
In the north of Le Marche, just under an hour's drive away, lies Urbino. This is perhaps the most beautiful city in Italy. Urbino is a gem you really shouldn't miss when visiting Le Marche.
To this day, Urbino still has the glory of yesteryear. Virtually nothing has changed in its appearance. Therefore, not entirely unjustifiably, Urbino, as the only place in Le Marche, has shone on Unesco's World Heritage List for 2 decades. It highlights the beauty and preservation of this beautiful city. In the 13the century, the counts of Montefeltro gained control. From Urbino, they expanded their power further. Thus, the counts gained prestige and became an important player in the region and far beyond. Duke Federico da Montefeltro called the best Renaissance artists to his city. The Duke planned to turn Urbino into La Città ideal, create the ideal city. The story of Federico's vision for rebuilding Urbino is truly fascinating. The city's walls were rebuilt to a design by none other than Leonardo da Vinci. This says enough about Urbino's unprecedented greatness.
The centrepiece of the Renaissance city is the Palazzo Ducale. An architectural masterpiece by Luciano Laurana and Francesco di Giorgio Maritini. And as Federico wanted, the new palazzo was inserted into the already existing medieval city. The core of the Renaissance era was to bring art and architecture together, this was considered perfection.
A painting on large panels, shows the ideal city as proposed by Federico. It resembles a chessboard, with a large religious building in the centre. The symmetry is clearly visible. The painting can still be admired in Palazzo Ducale. Federico also created one of Italy's most important libraries in his Palazzo. Federico's son continued the city's innovations. He had a university built. In 1506, he founded the Collegio dei Dottori. The university underwent an intellectual flowering, giving the city a distinctive feature with high-quality education with knowledge through time. The fact that the university is still flourishing today, making it among the oldest in Europe, says everything about how people still think of Urbino as the centre of learning. Urbino was also the birthplace of Raffaello Sanzio, who we know better as Raphael. A visit to Casa Raffaëlo is an essential part of any visit to Urbino. You come face to face with the fresco 'Madonna and Child' in Raphael's room on the first floor.
Urbino the city of great cultural wealth and with a centuries-old university, makes it the place where students congregate. This consequently brings with it a bustling centre with many pavement cafes, eateries and bars. Urbino, a small town in the northern hills of Le Marche is a perfect city, città Ideale, dazzlingly beautiful and enchanting. A city where the residents with one and all pride preserve this treasure for the future.
A city with Italian charm. Well worth a visit. Jesi is a city steeped in history and steeped in art. The old centre is slightly elevated and has a city wall that is still completely intact. You will find cosy pavement cafés where in summer it is all about seeing and being seen. Jesi can be called mundane with a lively shopping centre. Tourists are heavily outnumbered here. It is far from overrun. Here you see the real pure Italy.
During the Middle Ages, Jesi was a thriving city. This is reflected in a number of impressive palaces and public buildings. The city has a magnificent theatre. An impressive cathedral with a rich interior. Pay special attention to the large bronze doors if you want to take a look inside. One thing you definitely shouldn't miss is the art gallery in the Palazzo Pianetti. The palace also has a Pinacoteca where the city's most important treasures are kept. Eccentric and sometimes a tad over-the-top art decorations, truly stunning to behold. A few more highlights include Palazzo Balleani, the diamond-studded Palazzo Ricci and Palazzo Ripanti. Perhaps too much to take in all at once, so don't forget your camera!
After this culture and art tour, it is time to hit one of the many terraces. Walk under the gate to the medieval part. You'll come to the narrow streets with small squares. Of course, you will drink a nice glass of Verdicchio dei castelli di Jesi there.
Within Corinaldo's sturdy city walls, a romantic town reveals itself, where La Piaggia is the beating heart. La Piaggia is a staircase of a hundred steps, against which the red brick houses are built like a herringbone.
Halfway to La Piaggia, you will discover IL Pozzo della Polenta, an ancient well that tells a story of craft and history. A legend is part of it. Italians love it. The legend on a side street of the polenta pit is also fun to read. It is all worked out on a facade with no windows. The well dates from the second half of the 15the century. He adds a touch of mystery to the old town. Corinaldo has another treasure to discover. A walk along the centuries-old city wall is a photogenic adventure. Bring your camera because each viewpoint offers another photo opportunity. On clear days, the view from the highest spots on the wall reaches as far as Monte Conero. From this point, the vastness of the landscape captures your imagination and you will see Le Marche as an enchantingly fascinating green area.
On the slope of Monte Conero lie 2 tourist gems. The picturesque villages of Sirolo and Numana are perched high above sea level, offering fantastic views of the crystal-clear sea and the white beaches below. It's worth making the descent down as you'll find the most beautiful beaches of the Riviera del Conero, all of them Blue Flag beaches.
Sirolo and Numana lie 1 km apart on the slopes of Monte Conero, high above the Adriatic Sea. In Sirolo, you get to the piazza through narrow streets with very nice shops. It is full of terraces with a charming atmosphere and insane views.
Today, Numana is no longer a fishing village, although the bronze statue of the fisherman gazing out to sea is a reminder of it. Numana used to have a tower that served as an outpost to counter pirate attacks. Unfortunately, only one arch of the tower still stands. The eponymous restaurant "La Torre" owes its name to this. This restaurant conjures up culinary delights with great passion and skill. You can eat inside and outside. Both inside and outside, the view of the crystal-clear sea far below you offers a Manjefic view. And this certainly adds to an unforgettable culinary experience. The little square around the arch is the most romantic little square imaginable. A place with a few good Osterias where you can eat excellent food. We sometimes eat at Ristorante Da Franca. Highly recommended in a beautiful location.
One of the two republics within Italy's borders is San Marino. An hour's drive from Casale di Oto. With its own currency, stamp, its own football team and its own army(s).
The miniature republic lies between Emilia-Romagna and Le Marche, on the slopes of Monte Titano. close to the Adriatic Sea. Over steep winding roads you drive up. The ancient medieval town is perched high atop the mountain.
Don't forget to take a photo stop every now and then. Walking into the Centro storico is like stepping into a fairy tale.
Be sure to check out the spectacular view at the three towers. These towers have always symbolised San Marino's freedom and independence. The walk towards them goes through the Parco Nationale. The first tower is the largest and oldest. The second tower was built in the 13the century built on remains of a Roman fort. This is the highest point. You'd better not suffer from vertigo here. We keep wondering how people in ancient times managed to erect this structure here.
The walk to the third tower is along a well-maintained footpath under trees with beautiful views. Also take your time walking through the many quaint narrow streets. We also want to give you a tip for lunch. At Ristorante Springarda, you have a fantastic view while the cuisine is excellent.
We highly recommend visiting the Grotte di Frasassi during your holiday in Le Marche. The caves are located in natural park Gola della Rossa e Frasassi.
From our B&B, it is about a 45-minute drive to the caves. On the way there is the medieval village of Serra San Quirico. On our advice, you really should stop here. Walk under 1 of the impressive gates into the old town. It has remained completely intact here over the centuries. Stroll up the sandstone streets.
What stands out are the 'Copertelle'. These are covered passages. Arriving at the central square 'Piazza della Liberta', admire the beautiful monuments and the 16the -century fountain. There are breathtaking views over the valley from the Dalla Loggia Manin. In Serra San Quirico, several churches are worth admiring.
Now on to the caves di Frasassie. To get there, drive through an impressive gorge of Parco Gola della Rossa. Follow the signs for Grotte di Frassasi. You will arrive at a large car park. Here you can buy entrance tickets and board a bus that will take you to the entrance of the caves. You always walk accompanied by a guide. There are several tours ranging from 1 to 3 hours.
These caves were discovered by chance just after the 2the World War by a group of cavers. They discovered a labyrinth of caves, crystal clear lakes, gorges, fissures and boulders. It lasted until 1971, when part of the complex was opened to the public.
Enter this magical underground world. You will feast your eyes. You walk from room to room so large that a cathedral would easily fit inside. Magnificent stalagmites and stalactites have been able to form continuously over millions of years. And even now! Because constantly you can hear the dribble of water, the enabler that formed these natural wonders. Everywhere you look it glistens. It is truly beautiful!
After the cave show, the shuttle bus will take you back to the car park. Now drive back the same way by car. After about 1.5 km you can park again, and start looking at the next wonder. After a brisk walk of about 700 metres, you come to a hidden gem in the mountain. A natural cave that houses an octagonal chapel. This chapel was commissioned and built in 1828 by Pope Leo XII. The temple of Valadier was built of blocks of travertine from a nearby quarry. This chapel is known as a refuge for sinners.
And then a few minutes' drive away you have the village of Genga. The ancient village sits on top of a hill in the Esino Valley. The village is cultural heritage. There is an information centre in Genga about the Parco Naturale Gola della Rossa e di Frassasi. The surrounding area is so unspoilt and has ancient forests and eroded gorges. Many animals such as the wolf, wild boar and deer live here unhindered. Also birds of prey and many species of bats that find shelter in the caves. This nature reserve is an oasis of tranquillity. This area is also great for hikers to explore.
Located a few kilometres inland south of the Riviera del Conero, Loreto is known as a prominent place of pilgrimage. Despite its modest size, the town attracts huge numbers of visitors from all over the world. The famous Basilica Della Santa Casa houses the Holy House of the Virgin Mary, which tells a remarkable story going back in time. In 1291, crusaders from Israel brought the house where Mary was born to Italy by boat. This was because they were expelled from Palestine and feared this religious object would be lost.
At the heart of the basilica stands the Holy House, enveloped by a marble exterior. Still visible at the thresholds are the eroded trenches where believers have prayed on their knees around the house for centuries. This sacred centre of devotion remains an impressive symbol, with much history and spiritual significance, attracting pilgrims. But tourists are also eager to admire this beautiful shrine.
Highly recommended visit. A city full of hidden secrets, beautiful architecture, art and stunning panoramic views.
The city was founded by the ancient Greeks. Osimo has some 3,000 years of history. Feast your eyes, you are going to discover a lot. Around the corner from piazza del Comune you will find the entrance to the Lapidarium. The exterior facade has all sorts of stones bricked in, left by pilgrims from all over the world. The entrance to the Lapidarium is impressive because of all the headless statues.
Also be sure to visit Osimo's Duomo. The baptismal font and the paintings on the ceiling above it are especially beautiful. With a look in the crypt, you can see remains of Osimo's first bishops and martyrs. Underneath the market square and large parts of the city centre are countless corridors. It is at least 2,500 years since people started digging in the hill. At the time, the reason for creating the underground corridors was to build defences and create secret passages. It turned out to be an ideal place to hide in or get from one side of the city to the other unseen. You can now explore the Cantinone Caves several times a day with a guide. At the idea that the caves and corridors go down to 300 metres, you might get a claustrophobic idea. Accompanied by the guide, however, you will only get to see a small part of the corridor system. However, you get a good idea of how it used to be, and how difficult and disorientating it must have been for the enemy and people who didn't know their way around.
Experience and taste the Italian atmosphere in our Bed & Breakfast in the beautiful surroundings of Le Marche.
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