THE CASTLE OF ARCEVIA
THE DISTRICT
Located on Mount Cischiano, Arcevia (535 m. above sea level) is immersed in the green hills of the Marche through which the rivers Misa and Cesano flow. The air is clean and healthy, and the climate is mild. The surrounding countryside with its little villages is intensively cultivated. From the town and the neighbouring mountains you can admire the splendid panoramic view of the Appennines and the Adriatic coast.
FROM ROCCACONTRADA TO ARCEVIA
Tradition has it that Roccacontrada (today Arcevia) dates back to the Frank invasion (VIII/IXc) which is probably why its most important church is dedicated to a French saint, St. Medardo. It declared itself a free town between the XII-Xlllc and increased its power and domain over the area until it was sacked in 1325 by the Ghibelline Tommaso Chiavelli di Fabriano.
The civil war ended in 1365 but because of its important strategic position it was baseiged by the King of Naples only to be freed by Braccio da Montone. On his death, Francesco Sforza conquered the town which, faithful to the Church, deserted him for Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta thus reveiving the title "Propugnaculum Ecclesiae" from Pope Nicola V. It became a fovourite destination for noble families and important prelates and the town gained in works of art and beautiful buildings. The area's most important painter Ercole Ramazzani was born here in 1500. Arcevia's participation in the Risorgimento was as active as its partecipation in the Resistance during the Second World War, for which it paid dearly with many lives. Today Arcevia is a typical Marche town rich in works of art and an ideal spot for tourists.
THE CITY WALLS
The walls date from the time of Sforza, and were strengthened by Roberto da San Severino with an efficient system of towers, ravelins and trenches. The entrance gates S. Agostino and S. Pietro (or del Forno) are particularly impressive. The town's old fortress "II Cassero" used to stand on Monte Cischiano's highest point (the G. Leopardi Gardens). It was pulled down when the nearby Capuchin Monastry was built.
THE BUILDINGS
Palazzo Anselmi, Palazzo della Rovere and Palazzo Caverni, belonging to the old nobility, are some of the fine old buildings that can be found along Corso Mazzini, the main street. Palazzo del Podesta (the Town Hall) is in Piazza Garibaldi near the tower. Both edifices date back to the XIIIc and are of particular interest.
Palazzo Pianetti, along the Corso, was built in the XVIc by Mons. Mannelli, Bishop of Nocera. The impressive portal, interior stuccos and paintings have made it one of Arcevia's most beautiful residences. The first floor houses the "Circolo di lettura e forestieri", the town's social club. Nearby is Palazzo dei Priori, built at the end of the Xlllc, where the Town Council sits.
THE CHURCHES
S. Medardo was built in 1634. It has a latin cross structure in brick and is decorated in a sober baroque Style, a true work of art. Amongst the main works of art to be seen inside the church are "II Pollittico" and "II Battesimo", both by Luca Signorelli; "La Vergine dei Miracoli" in glass majolica by Andrea and Giovanni della Robbia; "II Giudizio Universale" and "II Battesimo" by Ercole Ramazzani; "La Madonna del Rosario" by Simone Cantarini; and other works by Piergentile da Matelica, Venanzo da Camerino e Brother Mattia della Robbia, including statues and carvings from various eras.
S. Maria's Church was built by Augustinians in 1500 and was then given to the Clarise Order. Some valuable works are conserved here, "L'Annunciazione" by fra Mattia della Robbia, paintings by Claudio Ridolfi and Ercole Ramazzani and also a fresco depicting "La Madonna del Soccorso". Restored in a baroque style, the church is shaped in a latin cross and has a nave and two aisles.
S. Agata's Church was rebuilt in the second half of the XVIIc, this old benedictine monastery was designed by the architect Andrea Vici. It has an elegant octagonal structure and is decorated with precious stuccos and "L'lncoronazione della Vergine" by Claudio Ridolfi. It is impossible to list all the many places worth visiting but the following are particularly suggestive: the imposing church and cloister of San Francesco; the church of Santa Maria ad Nives, outside the S. Agostino gate; the sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie (XVc) on Monte S. Angelo; the monastery of S. Giovanni Battista from the XVIc, the churches of Madonna dei Renali (XVIc) and San Sebastiano (XVIc), near the hospital.
Informazioni Accoglienza Turistica - Accommodation Facilities
Turistic
Office
di Arcevia C.so Mazzini, 64 San Francesco Cultural Center
' 0731.984561 - 9 0731.9899226
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