TWO DAYS ITINERARY

FORTRESS AND CASTLES

Spread across tha Marche are foirtressesand castles that tell the story of powerful families who, particularly in the 15th and 16th Centuries, built monuments which were symbols and placet of pawer and warlike strength.

Senigallia was the oldest of the roman colonies on the Adriatic coast and its name records its Celtic origins. At was part of the Byzantine Pentapolis and the subject of dispute between the Malatesta and Montefeltro lords. The historic centre small but interesting, whit many shops and bars. During the visit, don't miss the 18th Century Portici Ercolani, the porticoes under which the Fiera della Maddalena was held, and the neo-classical Foro Annonario. The Palazzo Comunale stands in Piazza Roma. In front of it is the Fountain of Neptune- the male statue with the broken arm dates back to the Roman period and represents the god of the sea guidino the sirens with a trident in his hand. One of the marvels of the city in the Renaissance Piazza del Duca, which is not overlooked by a single religious building, a feature that accentuates its civil and military function. Here, around the octagonal Fontana delle Anatre , are the 14th Century Palazzotto Baviera and 15th Century palazzo del Duca.

But the city's main symbol is without doubt the Roca Roveresca , whose central building , built as a lordly residence, is surrounded by a square defence. Illustrious architects such as Luciano Laurana and Braccio Pontelli worked on its construction. Corinaldo's city wall, which is about a kilometre long, remains intact -its maximun height is ninety metres. Its gates, draw bridge machinery, towers, walkways and machicolations recount stories of wars, long sieges and destruction. The main attraction at Mondavio is the fortress. Francesco di Giorgio Martini, the finest military architect of this time, was commissioned by Giovanni della Rovere at the end the 15th Century to built it. Inside there i san exhibition of the 16th and the 17th Century weapons. There are also sone interesting reproductions of siege and defence instruments on display in the ancient moat.

A large number of castles, dating from 12th-13th Centuries, are concentrated in the Acervia area. Within a radius of fifteen kilometres it is possible to visit Palazzo , with its impressive walls, Loretello, whit its picturesque triple-arched bridge, Montale, with towres and ravelins in its walls, Piticchio, whit itscovered battlements, Castiglioni and Avacelli built on a cliff. In the afternoon after visit to the Frasassi Caves, it is worth finishing the tour with a climb up to the castle at Pierosara, which conserves two gateways and a Longobard tower.