Page 252 - DK Eyewitness: Back Roads Northern and Central Italy (Travel Guide)

250 BACK ROADS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ITALY

1 Loreto 2 Sirolo
Ancona, Le Marche; 60025 Ancona, Le Marche; 60020
This small hill town is one of Italy’s Perched on a clifftop overlooking
holiest sites and often throngs with the Adriatic, Sirolo is a beachside
pilgrims. It is also a place where town some distance from the beach.
Renaissance popes invested heavily In a sense, this adds to its attraction
in fine art and architecture. In the – it gets a cooling sea breeze in
huge Basilica della Santa Casa (open summer and combines the ambience
daily) sits a small and very old building. of a hilltown with ocean views. The
Pilgrims come here to see where the main square, Piazzale Marino, offers
Above Secluded sandy beach on the Conero Virgin Mary received the news that she the best views of the beaches of
Peninsula near Sirolo was to become the Mother of God the Conero Peninsula, and the tiny
(The Annunciation). They believe that medieval streets behind it buzz with
WHERE TO STAY
this is her actual house, carried by activity in summer.
LORETO angels to Italy in 1294 from Nazareth ª From Sirolo, drive west downhill on
Hotel Loreto inexpensive in the Holy Land. Many famous 14th- to SP2. Drive straight over roundabout,
Central, modern location with great and 15th-century architects, such as then turn left under the autostrada on
countryside views from its terrace. Bramante, Sangallo and Martini, SP25. Then follow signs to Osimo. There
Corso Boccalini 60, 60025; 071 750 worked on the basilica’s decoration are parking meters all around town.
0106; www.loretohotel.it and the soldier pope, Julius II, gave it
MACERATA a military exterior. Of special interest The Santa Casa at Loreto
Arcadia Hotel inexpensive is the large marble screen, designed In 1291, Acre, the last bastion of
Within the old walls and close to by Bramante – one of many great the Christian crusaders, fell to the
the main attractions, this modest works of art in the complex. The town’s Turks, leaving the Holy Land under
hotel offers parking, a good piazza, fountain and the quadrangle the control of Muslims. To protect
breakfast and professional staff. their Christian heritage, a crusader
V P Matteo Ricci 134, 62100; 0733 of buildings surrounding it all have a family arranged to remove “Mary’s
230063; www.arcadiahotelmacerata.it High Renaissance feel, which makes house” to safety. That same year,
it like a mini Rome away from Rome. the house arrived in Croatia, and
Below Arco Gotico, the main shopping street ª From Loreto, take SP77 east. At the in 1294 in Loreto. The stonework is
in clifftop Sirolo Below right Typical Le roundabout, head north towards Sirolo, similar to examples from Nazareth
Marche vineyard on the road to Macerata then turn right onto SP23 to Sirolo and from around the time of the birth
Bottom The tower of Castello di Montefiore, follow signs for “Centro”. Park near of Christ. Gradually the myth grew
that angels had carried the Santa
visible from a distance Piazzale Marino. Casa, or Holy House, to Italy.
3 Osimo
Ancona, Le Marche; 60027
The ancient Greeks, who colonized
nearby Ancona in the 3rd century BC,
founded Osimo. In 174 BC, the Romans
took possession and some elements
from this time still remain – great
rectangular blocks in the town walls,
and a Roman fountain. The town’s
age shows in many of its public
buildings, particularly the intricate
Romanesque carvings around the
doors of the Cattedrale di San
Leopardo (open daily) and the official
buildings in the main square, Piazza
del Comune. Below the town is a
labyrinth of catacombs, Le Grotte
(open Tue–Sun), dating back to pre-
Roman times. The tourist information
office (www.osimoturismo.it) is in Via
Fonte Magna, near the Roman walls.
ª Take Via C Colombo/SP361
following signs to Macerata. The
Castello di Montefiore, with ample
parking, is just before town.
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €100; moderate, €100–€200; expensive, over €200

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