Author: marchetowalk
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Why a Frecce Tricolori Jet Guards the Gates of Loreto?
According to legend, the Holy House of Mary was transported from Nazareth to Loreto by angels in the 13th century. This “flight” across the seas led Pope Benedict XV to officially declare the Our Lady of Loreto the patron saint of all aviators in 1920. In the early 2000s, to celebrate the deep bond between…
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Exploring the Archaeological Museum of Numana
The Antiquarium Statale of Numana is located in the old town. The museum collects materials from the Picene necropolis of Sirolo-Numana, one of the most important burial sites of the Adriatic Iron Age. The exhibition includes grave goods from richly furnished tombs, such as weapons, bronze ornaments, pottery, and personal items. These objects help reconstruct…
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San Francesco alle Scale: Ancona’s Monumental Stairway Church
As part of our Ancona Walking Tour, we visited San Francesco alle Scale, beautifully set at the top of a staircase in the old town. San Francesco alle Scale is a remarkable example of Gothic architecture, as proven by its elegant Venetian-Gothic portal. A distinctive element of San Francesco alle Scale is its unique location.…
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Roman Ancona: the Amphitheatre and Its Legacy
As the Ancona Walking Tour makes its way through the old city, the remnants of the Roman city slowly emerge before our eyes. Roman Ancona grew as a key Adriatic port, connecting Italy with the eastern Mediterranean. Its prosperity emerges in the remains scattered across the city, such as the Arch of Trajan, the mosaics…
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Early Christianity in Ancona: Santa Maria della Piazza
The Ancona Walking Tour includes a stop in front of the church of Santa Maria dell Piazza. Blind arcades shape the thirteenth-century façade. Its portal is a jewel of medieval carving, while the upper register was struck by an earthquake. The Romanesque interior welcomes us in its sober simplicity. Through glass panels in the floor,…
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The Palazzo degli Anziani and Ancona’s Civic Power
The Palazzo degli Anziani rises before the waterfront, a quiet witness to the city’s golden age as a maritime republic in the Middle Ages. From here, the Ancona Walking Tour ascends toward the old city, following ancient Greek steps framed by medieval architecture. The urban landscapes unfolds layer by layer as we climb. As we…
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Columns Mirroring the Sea: Vanvitelli’s Chiesa del Gesù
When the Ancona Walking Tour reaches Piazza Stracca, once the heart of the city’s government, we observe the Chiesa del Gesù rising in front of the Palazzo degli Anziani. Designed by Luigi Vanvitelli, the graceful curved façade reflects the shape of the gulf. From the top of the church steps, a beautiful view opens over…
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Sant’Elpidio a Mare: a Medieval Town Between Mountains and Sea
Entering the old town of Sant’Elpidio a Mare through the arch of Porta Canale, we followed the narrow streets running along the defensive walls. To our surprise, a Fiat 500 was parked just behind the arch. The origins of these streets date back to the Middle Ages, when Sant’Elpidio was mentioned by Boccaccio in the…
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Carnival Colors in Montecosaro
In Montecosaro, Carnival fills the streets with color, music, and laughter every February. Children in creative costumes parade through town, surrounded by music and bright decorations. Here’s a glimpse of the 2026 Carnival parade floats. The community comes together to celebrate with warmth and simplicity
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Exploring the Heart of Fermo
THE SQUARE: PIAZZA DEL POPOLO Our Fermo walking tour began in Piazza del Popolo in the soft afternoon light. The symmetry of the arches and the quiet flow of people gave the square a sense of calm and order. We admired the statue of Pope Sixtus V raising his hand in blessing in front of…