Castles of Marche

Japanese version

Marche マルケ州の城　日本語PDFダウンロードはこちらから

The Marche region boasts a considerable number of fortresses and castles built over the centuries.

Gradara is known above all for its beautiful fortress and for the events connected to its castle, subject over the centuries to the dominion of the Malatesta, Sforza and Della Rovere families, and memorable stage of the love story of Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini, made immortal by Dante’s verses (Canto V Inferno).

Every fortress has its own story to tell. For example, the fortress in Sassocorvaro has a rounded and compact structure that recalls the carapace of a turtle, refined by concentric frames: it seems that this structure was inspired by Frank Wight in creating the Guggenheim museum in New York. Today it is home to the "Museum of Historical Re-enactment and Armoury", with mannequins in costume and weapons from the 15th to the 18th century. Going further south, between Urbino, Fano and Senigallia along the Cesano valley you come across Mondavio, and its remarkable fortress. Here in 1482, Di Giorgio Martini created a true masterpiece of fortification art, enhancing the concept of the polygonal plan. The fortress is dominated by a powerful keep with ten angular faces: the construction is made of bricks.

Even the Rocca Roveresca of Senigallia can be defined as an extraordinary history book because it is the result of the superposition of defensive structures that have occurred over the centuries, in a site of strategic importance; is still perfectly preserved today, the current structure, commissioned by the Della Rovere family and dating back to the early 16th century, was built on the first Malatesta fortress of 1450, which incorporates the tower built around 1350 on the remains of another defensive tower from the Roman era of the 3rd century BC. To jenjoy medieval atmospheres, a must stop is Offagna to admire the majestic fortress dating back to medieval times. Built in 1454 on the remains of a pre-existing medieval castle, it was a defensive bulwark against Osimo's rivals. The castle extended around the crenellated fortress, enclosing the surrounding territory in a defensive grip.

The Rancia Castle is one of the symbols of the city of Tolentino. It is located in the Rancia district, on the plain located to the left of the Chienti river. It appears as a quadrangular-shaped building composed of a crenellated wall strengthened by three corner towers.

Symbol of an entire territory, Rocca Varano, in addition to being a fortress whose construction dates back to the 13th century, is one of the most important and impressive Camerino’s attractions, together with Rocca d'Ajello and the Borgesca Fortress.

Acquaviva Picena, in the south of the Marche, boasts a beautiful fortress, a masterpiece of Renaissance military architecture, whose first construction dates back to the 14th century by the nobles of the Acquaviva family. Rebuilt in 1474, the fortress has an irregular quadrilateral plan, which encloses a large central courtyard with a well and the vertices strengthened by towers.

1. Gradara d'Amare is a special event dedicated to all lovers who wish to celebrate Valentine's Day at Gradara’s Castle. Love is the underlying theme of the initiatives that light up the magical village which was the place of Paolo and Francesca's love, sung by Dante: the streets lit by candles and decorated with red hearts, the well of dedications and the register of lovers for signing their love, a toast at the Castle.
2. Every year in Mondavio, from 12 to 15 August, the "Boar Hunt" is repeated; the village becomes the stage for a representation when moments of theater and fragments of the historic Boar Hunt enliven the ancient Mons Avium (Mondavio), returning it to the splendors of Renaissance time. There are of archers, archery and crossbow competitions, street artists, games between courtiers, banquets.
3. Since 1988, in the last week of July on the occasion of the Medieval Festivals, in Offagna you can enjoy medieval atmospheres, with men-at-arms, minstrels, jesters, fire eaters, displays with weapons.
4. Tolentino is known for the Biennial of Humor in Art, a competition dedicated to free-themed humorous art where works of painting, graphics, sculpture are accepted.
5. Every first weekend of August in Acquaviva Picena, the Palio del Duca - Sponsalia is celebrated, a historical re-enactment of the marriage between Forastéria, daughter of Rinaldo degli Acquaviva, and Rainaldo dei Brunforte which took place in the year 1234. The events of the Palio include the historical procession, the blessing of the cloth, the Palio and the wedding banquet.

1. Rolling Hills and Ancient Villages