Historic Versatility

Pesaro’s history, which has been shaped by noble families over the centuries, comes to life in the city center in particular: Whether Palazzo Ducale, Palazzo Olivieri Marchielli, Palazzo Montani Antaldi or the municipal museum Musei civici, which houses one of the finest collections of Italian Renaissance and Baroque ceramics – the relics bear witness to a flourishing past. Architectural monuments such as the Rocca Costanza fortress or the manor houses Villa Imperiale and Villa Caprile, which can be found in the nearby Monte San Bartolo Regional Park, also provide a glimpse into Pesaro’s impressive history. Villino Ruggeri, on the other hand, is one of the most extravagant buildings in the city and is one of the finest examples of Italian Art Nouveau. And the spherical bronze sculpture “Sfera Grande di Arnaldo Pomodoro” is one of the most popular photo motifs.

Lively Music History

The world-famous composer Gioachino Rossini, who was born in this Adriatic town, is a must-see in Pesaro. As the creator of many great works – including the popular opera “Figaro” – he is honored once a year as part of the Rossini Opera Festival. But there are also many other museums and places dedicated to the maestro – such as his birthplace Casa Rossini, the Rossini Theater, the National Rossini Museum and the Conservatory. Another musical great is closely associated with Pesaro. The Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti spent much of his life in his house in Baia Flaminia.

Italian Capital of Culture 2024

Pesaro has a packed calendar of events – popular highlights for visitors include the walk under the stars and the harbor festival with fireworks show. As the Italian Capital of Culture 2024, the city and the province want to become a cultural project that highlights the region’s characteristic combination of nature, technology and innovation and will be showcased in crafts, design, cinema, digital art, production, music and gastronomy. The latter will of course include the delicious “Pizza Rossini” with mayonnaise and eggs, a unique specialty of the city.

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The association of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy” (I Borghi più belli d’Italia) has gained twelve new members. A total of 325 villages, each with unique characteristics, now belong to the network, which is committed not only to promoting tourism but also to preserving and restoring the historic fabric of the villages.

In addition to the cultural and historical importance of the places, sustainable aspects of the tourist infrastructure, an intact old town without car traffic, the preservation of the architectural fabric, living traditions as well as the promotion of the quality of life play a significant role in the award as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

12 new villages in the “Borghi più belli d’Italia” association

As one of the newly awarded villages, Alberobello is probably one of the better-known destinations on the tourist map. Located in the Itria Valley in Puglia, the “City of the Trulli” was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1996 for its characteristic architecture.

On the eastern shore of Lake Como in the province of Lecco lies Bellano, a small fishing village with narrow streets and colorful houses. Not far away is the impressive “Orrido di Bellano”, a deep natural gorge that can be crossed along paths carved into the rock.

Sicily is home to two of the newly awarded villages: in the province of Siracusa, in the heart of the Monti Iblei, lies Buccheri, rich in evidence of a long history marked by the ancient Greeks, Romans Byzantines, Arabs and Normans. In the province of Enna, on the other hand, is the small village of Calascibetta, which also scores with its archaeological heritage, such as the necropolis of Realmese from the Iron Age.

Campiglia Marittima, in the province of Livorno in Tuscany, is also one of the most beautiful villages in Italy: it is located on a hill in the Val di Cornia with a wide view of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the surrounding countryside.

The Lazio region is represented by Castelnuovo di Porto in the province of Rome, where the important 13th century Castello della Rocca is located. The ancient village is located on a tuff spur and is of Etruscan origin.

Crecchio, in the province of Chieti in Abruzzo, is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves on a small hill near the Arielli River and is dominated by the Ducal Castle, which today houses the “Byzantine and Early Medieval Museum of Abruzzo”.

Not just a village, but a small island: La Maddalena, capital of one of the most popular islands of Sardinia in the archipelago of the same name, captivates with its historical center and its natural beauty and is now also one of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia”.

Further north, the province of Trento can also boast 2 new additions: Luserna is a true natural balcony and one of the most historic and traditional municipalities of Trentino, where Cimbric, an ancient German language, is still spoken. Pieve Tesino is located on the southern slopes of Monte Silana and extends over the Tesino basin. The village is also known as the birthplace of the Italian statesman Alcide De Gasperi.

Nocera Umbra, in the province of Perugia, was founded by the Umbrians and later conquered by the Romans, who made it an important stop on the Via Flaminia. Its origins as a defensive fortress are still witnessed by the immense castle walls.

In the Marche, Petritoli was chosen as the new borgo in the province of Fermo. Situated on a hill, it overlooks the green and fertile Aso Valley and offers a breathtaking panorama from the Sibillini Mountains to the Adriatic coast.

Find out more about all the “Borghi più belli d’Italia” here: www.borghipiubelliditalia.it

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