Ancona

Historical center and Passetto

The Ancona tour definitely starts from its historic centre which still bears the signs of the bombings of the Second World War and where it is possible to admire ancient remains such as the old prisons and the theater with its mosaics.

Always remaining in the heart of the city, the Palazzo degli Anziani and the beautiful churches are worth a visit. First of all the Cathedral of San Ciriaco which from the top of Colle Guasco protects the port and the city. A city that cannot be discovered immediately and whose best places are to be found among the typical ups and downs of Ancona’s urban conformation.

The tour of Ancona continues with a visit to the Passetto. Here you can admire the Monumento ai Caduti and the Viale della Vittoria, site of the Sunday walks of the residents.

Just below the Passetto, we recommend going along the stretch of coast that will give you a truly genuine atmosphere. In fact, you will be able to admire the glaring colors of the caves dug into the rock and home to fishermen and lucky descendants of the excavators of the early 1900s.

The construction materials are remedied and of all colors but everything is extremely functional and practical, so much so that it is now a summer residence with a berth. The visual impact is “dazzling”, then enriched by the presence of the locals intent on recovering a nassa or “capa”, selecting and cleaning the freshly caught “moscioli” or mussels.

Parks and Green Areas

Ancona is a green city, where you will find glimpses of the countryside within the city walls and fantastic parks.
First of all we recommend the Parco del Cardeto – recently revalued – from where it is possible to appreciate the city’s position overlooking the sea.
Other green areas that we recommend are the Campo degli Ebrei, the Citadel, the Old Lighthouse, the Pincio, Forte Altavilla di Pietralacroce.

Ancona, an open-air museum

The Archaeological Museum of the Marches is located in the capital, which portrays the entire composite historical adventure of the Region. Following the Omero Tactile Museum – one of a kind – the living room square represented by the Piazza del Plebiscito or the Pope, the Pinacoteca, the < strong>Loggia dei Mercanti, Porta Pia, the Lazzaretto, the Mole Vanvitelliana which in ancient times was a place of quarantine for sailors in arrival while today it is the beating heart of cinematographic events, art exhibitions and various events.

Lazzabaretto and Marina for the evening

In the evening it is possible to have a drink at the “Lazzabaretto” – affectionately so called by the citizens – de-dramatising venue – venue for summer evenings – immersed in a magical atmosphere and unrepeatable, in close contact with the sea.

Another place to spend a pleasant evening in the city of Ancona is the small tourist port with all its background of nightlife and trendy clubs.

Stockfish, Brodetto and Moscioli for the menu

There are three main dishes to be tasted in the capital of the Marche region:

• the stockfish all’anconitana,
• the anconitan-style fish soup, and
• the moscioli from Portonovo.

The stockfish is a notable pride, so much so that even Giuseppe Garibaldi stocked up here with the prized stockfish from the northern seas.

Bay of Portonovo and Mezzavalle beach

Portonovo, the “secret” bay where all Ancona residents go to enjoy their holidays.

A fabulous place – set of important film productions – where the smells and sounds of the mountain and the sea create a unique sensation.

Gorgeous water, fish restaurants by the sea, the ancient watchtower, the Romanesque church, the strawberry trees, the brooms, the lavender, the brackish lakes with birds make the bay an experience to tell your friends .

Adjacent to the bay of Portonovo is Mezzavalle, the wild beach par excellence.

Ancona dto the Greeks to the Romans

Ancona is Doric by birth, a colony of the ancient and powerful Syracuse.

Ancona was also the gateway to the East at the time of ancient Rome. It was precisely in the Doric city that the emperor Trajan made a base for the conquest of Dacia and left his memories: the most famous is the Arch of Trajan located in the port area.