A classic itinerary in the Apennine foothills, ideal for those who don't like to waste too much time moving about.
The suggested tour begins at Fabriano, which conserves its original medieval layout. The city is built around the almost triangular Piazza del Comun, which is overlooked by the most important buildings. It is dominated by the austere mid-13th Century Plazzo del Podestà, built in romanesque-gothic style, with its Ghibelline crenellations. Under the great pointed vault you can admire the remains of 13th-14th Century frescoes. The Fontana dello sturinalto (1285) stando in the square, with ite three concentric basins.
The Palazzo Comunale, built as the court of tha Chiavelli family, tha 14th Century lords of the city, was modified during the 1600s. Through its courtyard , you reach the teatro Gentile, with its neo-classical façade. The splendid loggiato di san Francesco and the Palazzo vescovile occupy the other sides of the piazza. It is worth walking up the alleyway to the left, as fas as the Duomo, dedicated to San Venanzo. Iside, in the chapel san Lorenzo, there are important frescoes by Allegretto Nuzi (14th Century). In front of the Cathedral is the Ospedale di Santa Maria del Buon Gesù, with its elegant 15th Century portico.
The name of the city is linked historically whit paper making and the invention of the watermark. The industry began between 1100 and 1200 and flourisched in particular throughout the 14th-15th Centuries. The Museo della Carta e della Filigrana (Paper and Watermark Museum), which tells the story of this city industry, is housed in the San Domenico complex. During the visit you can see all the stages of this process live.
The suggested visit for the afternoon is to the spectacular Frasassi Caves and to the small medieval village of San Vittorie Terme, built around the 11th Century abbey of San Vittore delle Chiuse, one of the region's most important monastic settlements, which represents a particularly fine example of central Italian Romanesque architecture. It was probably entered by passing over the gotic-arched bridge and under the tower that defended it. The Museo Archeospeleopaleontologico is housed in the former monastery, with three sections dedicated to local achaeology, palaeontology and caving. The day can be completed at san Vittore's former mill, tasting traditional local products.
9:30
arrival in Fabriano and visit old town
11:00
Visit the Museum of paper and watermark
12:30
Transfer to Frasassi
15:00
Meeting at the ticket office of Frasassi Caves
15:30
Tour of the Frasassi Caves
17:00
Visit to the old town and museum of S. Vittore Terme