ASCOLI
PICENO
is a real splendid" town: few town are able to evoke
so strong and lasting emotions as Ascoli does. The imposing
and well-preserved buildings, the impressive squares and
little roads, the famous monuments and the towers which
characterized the urban landscape, make Ascoli an 'unicum"
in the Marches. Somebody says: "Ascoli is like a
small Siena". The "Quintana" (contest between
knights surrounded by figurants, flag wavers and beautiful
ladies) is the most useful and charming way of recalling
the splendours and the traditions of the past. Jt is a
procession of a thousand people dressed in 15th-century
costumes. It is held everv first Sunday of August. The
populations, which lived in Piceno, went under Roman control
in 268 B.C. but Ascoli maintained its independence and
became a federate town. In 89 B.C. Pompeo Strabone put
down a rebellion of the inhabitants of Ascoli. It was
sacked by the Barbarians and annexed to the Duchy of Spoleto.
In 900, Ascoli was a very powerful town and started to
fight against Fermo. The two provinces were united in
1824, divided in 1831 and united again in 1860.
CAMERINO
Is an old town full of traditions. Its fame is linked
with the rule of the Da Varano and to its university that
deeply influences the life of its inhabitants. The origins
of Camerino go back to the Neolitic Age. From an historical
point of view it is very important to remember the treaty
of 309 B.C. between Camerino and Rome. Later on the town
was besieged by Alaric and the Goths and, under the dominion
of Carlo Magno, became the chief town of the Marca. Camerino
was a Guelph town and its age of splendour was under the
rule of the Da Varano (that last three centuries). Here
the painters Arcangelo di Cola, Giovanni Boccati and Girolamo
di Giovanni were born.
CINGOLI
Cingoli is a town characterized not only by a beautiful
and well-preserved historical centre, but also by marvellous
views. It is not by mere chance that Cingoli is called
"the balcony of the Marches". It is situated
at an altitude of 631 m.. among hills and in front of
a large coast. It was founded in the 2nd century B.C.
and called Cingulum. It was destroyed by the Goths and
the Longobards and, in the 8th-century, it became a free
city. It gave hospitality to Federico Barbarossa and was
ruled by the Cima family, linked to the Pope. It is the
home-town of Pope Pio VIII (of the Castiglioni family).
RECANATI
Let us now come back to Recanati . This town immediately
recalls the great poet Giacomo Leopardi and the tenor
Beniamino Gigli. Recanati is really rich in memories of
Leopardi, that is why it is impossible to make a hasty
visit: we have to inspire the special atmosphere of this
town and individualize the place sung about by the Poet.
That is why we suggest reading 5 of the lyrics written
by Leopardi again (such as A Silvia, L'Infinito, II Passero
Solitario) before visiting his town. Recanati was a very
important town in the early Middle Ages and during the
following years. It was founded in the 12th century in
order to withstand the sieges of the inhabitants of Osimo.
Federico II allowed the town to build a port (Porto Recanati).
Later on Recanati became the site of battles between the
Guelphs and the Ghibellines. Having joined the Bishop's
throne of this town to that of Loreto in 1592, the importance
of the town rapidly decreased.
Via
Santorre di Santarosa, 17 - Lungomare Sud - Civitanova Marche (MC)
Italy
Tel. (0039) 0733.816816 - Fax (0039) 0733.816817 e-mail:info@hotelpamir.com
Direz. Antonio Paoletti
