AMANDOLA (FM)

The city was founded in 1248 by the union of the three castles: Agello, Leone and Marrubbione. According to tradition, the name derives from an “almond”, called Mannola in the dialect of Fermo, indicating both the fruit that the tree, which was admired in the area, it also seems to signify symbolically the panoramic location that it occupies on the hills , with the scenario of the Sibillini Mountains behind the town, to the west side. Amandola had its own Statutes in 1265 and is remembered for its flourishing weaving industry between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The town has an old town centre that testifies to the wealth of its past and especially the expansion of its craftmanship. Even today, woodworking, restoration and the antique furniture, are activities of considerable interest. Amandola is an appreciated mountain resort, with efficient hospitality, sports and recreational facilities to guarantee a pleasant stay. The church of St. Augustine or shrine of Blessed Antonio dating from the fifteenth century, is one of the most significant buildings, with a portal in Gothic Venetian style, and the bell tower realized by P. Lombardo.

MACERATA

Between the third and second centuries BC the area where today stands the village of Villa Potenza was colonized by the Romans, who called it Helvia Recina. The remains of the Roman theater of the second century AD give the idea of a flourishing city of medium dimensions. The first document of the existence of Ricin dates back to the first century AD by Pliny the Elder. After the birth of the free Commune of Macerata, was created a coat of arms with a millstone on a red shield with a crown above. The mill was a symbol borrowed from the ancient Ricina and symbolized the industriousness of Macerata and a peculiarity of the area as well: it was rich in water which were used to put in operation many mills. To point out that the emblem changed in 1570 when it was added a red Greek cross on a white field by permission of Pope Pius V, who was grateful to the city for the participation of some of its citizens in the fight against the Turks and to remind the help given by its people to the Crusades since 1188. The city offers a good degree in quality of life that still makes it one of the most liveable towns thanks to many “green points” located in different areas: the Giardini Diaz, Villa Lauri, Sasso d ‘Italia and other small green spaces distributed in all the districts of the city.

RECANATI (MC)

The is no certain information about the origin of the first settlement in Recanati. The neighboring territories were surely inhabited in prehistoric times by the Piceni, who were distributed in the whole region. During the Roman age, on the valley of the Potenza river, then navigable, rose two important cities: Potentia at the mouth, and Helvia Recina, also called Recina, inward. Because of the invasion of the Goths led by Radagaiso around 406 AD, who destroyed the area, the population sought refuge in the hills. It is believed that Recanati, as much as Macerata owe their origins in that ancient city. The name Recanati, in Latin “Recinetum” and “Ricinetum”, indicates a derivation by Ricin. Recanati gradually grew with the unification of some small places situated on the same hill: the castle of Monte Morello, the castle of San Vito, otherwise called Borgo di Muzio, the castle of Monte Volpino and Borgo di Castelnuovo, village that seems to be called Castle of Ricinati, originally.

CIVITANOVA MARCHE (MC)

Cluana is the ancient name of Civitanova Marche, which was presumably founded in the VIII century BC, in pre-Roman times, at north of the mouth of the Chienti river (which changed its name in Cluentum in Roman times) along the Adriatic coast. Cluentis Vicus survives this tough period in history, and in 1009 it is mentioned with the names Civitate Nova, Nova Civitas, Civitatem Novam and Nova Civitas. Life starts again and people slowly get back to live closer to the coast, on the San Marone hill, where since the II century is a “Memory” dedicated to the holy martyr, now Patron Saint of Civitanova Marche. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the upper town continues to transform,  the main square is expanded and the church of San Paolo is built. The church takes the place of the homonymous “Collegiata”, the Civic Tower is replaced by the Clock Tower. The following industrial development makes Porto Civitanova a summer holiday residence of the noble families coming from hinterland. The city is enriched with new streets, villas, art nouveau buildings, beaches and recreational areas that gave Civitanova a configuration of seaside resort. On the coast there is already a cycle path, divided by the two seafronts, part of the Ciclovia Adriatica, which once completed is meant to connect all the cities on the Adriatic coast. Another cycling lane climbs from Civitanova to the upper town along rio Maranello, while at the end of southern seafront connects another stretch that runs along the northern bank of the Chienti river, joining the path of the River Park Chienti.

POTENZA PICENA (MC)

Potenza Picena takes its name from Potentia, a thriving Roman colony whose first informations date back to 184 BC and which was destroyed in the fourth century, during the war Greek-Gothic.
 Some survivors have founded the village of Monte Santo on the adjacent hill, around the ancient church of Santo Stefano, which stood on the highest point (now Piazza Matteotti). The oldest document attesting the existence of the church and the village, both fiefs of the Bishop of Fermo, dates back to 947 AD.
The transition from “ministry” of the county of Fermo (dominated by the bishop) to Common (initially castrum) takes place in September 1128 when Liberto, bishop from Fermo, refusing to collect the fodro and to preside over the “placid” (court ), recognizes de facto autonomy of Monte Santo, which therefore frees itself from feudal subjection; Despite this, the foreign affairs and justice will remain responsibility of the bishop for over a century. Over the years, Montesanto reaches ever larger freedom: in 1252 Pope Innocent IV grants the right to independently elect the mayor.
The development of the town takes place around the ancient church of S. Stefano, located in the middle of the town square, which was demolished in 1796 in order to expand the square; from that time in this area were organized public shows, games and sports competitions: the most popular show was the “carousel of Ox”, also called “the fence”, a sort of bullfighting that was banned during the Napoleonic domination for its violent connotation.