Two holidays in one
Here, the Adriatic shifts from gentian blue to deep azure and the palest, clearest shades of blue. Beyond the shore, the hills beckon, opening out into gentle contours and fields gilded by wheat and sunshine, interwoven with rows of vines. These are the colours of Mondolfo and Marotta, reflecting their identity and the history of their communities.
The blue and gold of the municipal banner evoke the story of an ancient hilltop town founded in the twilight of the Roman Empire to guard the mouth of the River Cesano, along the stretch of coast between Senigallia and Fano, where routes lead inland towards the Catria massif.
Mondolfo is a land of farmers and fishermen, but also of noble landowners and men-at-arms. Within its double circuit of walls lies a community that, for centuries, watched over the coast and the wayside inn at Marotta, defending the area against Ottoman raids and keeping a watchful eye on travellers passing through the Dukes’ lands.
Mondolfo
Mondolfo and its seaside village of Marotta offer two complementary sides of the same destination, where hill-country heritage meets maritime tradition. Listed among I Borghi più belli d’Italia — Italy’s most beautiful villages — the historic town retains its double circuit of walls and a wealth of fine buildings. Highlights include the imposing Church of Sant’Agostino and its cloister, the parish church of Santa Giustina, and elegant aristocratic residences such as Palazzo Giraldi della Rovere.
Just outside the centre stands the Romanesque Abbey of San Gervasio, whose crypt houses a precious Byzantine sarcophagus. Set among pine trees, the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grotte forms part of the Valle dei Tufi nature and heritage trail. Along the town walls, the Bastion of Sant’Anna features a raised garden and restored underground chambers, while the nearby viewpoint on Via La Torre offers sweeping views across the Adriatic.
Marotta
Marotta is a popular seaside resort awarded the FEE Blue Flag and is also known for inspiring Enrico Ruggeri’s song Il mare d’inverno — “The Sea in Winter”. Despite its growth as a holiday destination, the town remains deeply attached to its fishing heritage, celebrated each year through events cherished by the local community.
Highlights include the Festa della Tratta in late July, which recreates the traditional practice of drawing fishing nets through shallow, sandy waters, and April’s Sagra dei Garagoi, a festival devoted to local sea snails prepared using fishermen’s traditional recipes.
The shoreline alternates between sandy beaches and stretches of shingle, with an even seabed that makes access to the water easy. A restored historic jetty provides a much-loved focal point for residents and visitors, while well-equipped beach clubs offer a full range of facilities and quality beach amenities.
Exploring on foot
Routes for discovering Mondolfo
Discover the historic town of Mondolfo
Allow: 90 minutes
Distance: 900 metres
Suitable for: everyone
Outer circuit of town walls, dating from the 13th–16th centuries.
Collegiate Church of Santa Giustina, dating from the 18th century.
Town Hall, dating from the 20th century.
Bastion of Sant’Anna, dating from the 16th century.
Viewpoint on Via Torre.
Inner circuit of town walls, dating from the 6th–15th centuries.
Palazzo Peruzzi, a privately owned 16th-century residence on Corso della Libertà.
Palazzo Giraldi della Rovere, a privately owned 16th-century residence on Via Fratelli Rosselli.
Oratory of San Giovanni Decollato, dating from the 17th century, on Via Fratelli Rosselli.
Sferisterio, a traditional ball-game court dating from the 19th century, on Piazzale Borroni.
Remembrance Park and War Memorial, inaugurated in 1926, on Piazzale Borroni.
Monumental complex of Sant’Agostino, dating from the 16th–17th centuries, and the Civic Museum, on Via Cavour.
A world to discover beyond the walls
Allow: two hours to half a day
Distance: sites within 2 km of the historic town
Suitable for: everyone; a car is recommended
Fonte Grande: an 18th-century fountain, 500 metres from the historic town.
Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grotte: dating from 1682, 600 metres from the historic town and marked on the map.
Convent of San Sebastiano: dating from the 18th century, 900 metres from the historic town.
Church of San Gervasio di Bulgaria: an early medieval church dating from the 5th–6th centuries, with later work dating from the 18th century, 2 km from the historic town.
Valle dei Tufi: a nature and heritage trail through the Madonna delle Grotte valley, 600 metres from the historic town.
