A STROLL THROUGH THE HISTORIC CENTRE
The historic centre of Sirolo is located past the central square with a panoramic balcony, overlooking the sea, from which you can admire a stunning panorama. You can see as far as Croatia and Kornati islands on clear days. This square becomes the meeting point for the many tourists who love drinking a cocktail or having an ice cream with friends on summer evenings. In May the St. Nicholas’ Palio takes place through the streets of the centre and in the town park, to honour the town’s patron saint and is inspired by episodes of his life. The Palio includes two challenges called “Disfide”: the “Disfida delle Contrade” (the Challenge of the Districts), restricted to people over 14 years, and the “Disfida della canaja”, reserved to children from 10 to 13 years. In Vittorio Veneto square there is the church of St. Nicholas of Bari, built in 1752 in Neoclassical style that you can visit for free. From the square you can start your exploration of the most beautiful part of the town, made of narrow pedestrian alleys, overlooked by colourful and well-kept houses. To fully enjoy the atmosphere of the historic centre you can stop at the home restaurant La Libellula del Conero for an aperitif, tapas and excellent local wines, in the small square Gugliormella, overlooking the walls and the tower. On Corso Italia there are many craft shops and typical small eateries of Marche cuisine. There you can taste and buy typical local or regional products such as “i paccasassi”, “il salame di fico”, “il ciauscolo”, “il formaggio di Fossa”, “le olive ascolane” and “la crescia di Cingoli”. On the Corso there is also the small church of the SS. Rosario, almost hidden between houses, near the Gothic Arch that is in the south entrance to Sirolo. Go under the Arch and turn right and you will find the Cortesi Theatre, a jewel of architecture and acoustics, completely built in white stone of Conero in 1873. If you go straight on, after leaving the arch, you will see the villa called “Vetta Marina”. According to a widespread oral tradition St. Francis of Assisi would have boarded in the port of Ancona or Numana for the East in 1219. He is said to have stopped in Sirolo, both on the outward and return, where he founded a convent of Franciscan rule, maybe right where the villa stands now. To support this legend there are the remains of the Blessed Pietro of Treia, religious mentioned in the “Fioretti” by St. Francis, that are inside the church of SS. Rosario. Another charming legend says that St. Francis foretold the coming of St. Mary’s Holy House looking at the valley and the forest near Loreto from the convent. That is why he defined it “the lucky valley”. Under the Gothic arch you will find written the testimony of the passage of the saint. Instead, the opposite itinerary, starting from Vittorio Veneto square, will lead you to Giulietti road, among stalls of local crafts, small shoe shops, artisanal jewellery, small houses in white stone of Conero and hotels with sea view rooms. On your right there is the entrance to the International Camping Village and the Park of the Republic. This campsite is located in a quiet place, surrounded by Mediterranean maquis, overlooking the sea. Guests who visit this campsite are generally families and foreigners. In via Giulietti a stop at the “Bassotto” ice cream parlour is not to miss. In the sport shop “Da Nilo” you can buy original souvenirs and admire the art of its owner, Danilo, a surfer who combines the passion for waves with that for art, creating very original graphics that have as their protagonists surfing, nature and environmental protection.
A VISIT TO THE PARK OF THE REPUBLIC
Near the historic centre you can find this park immersed in greenery and equipped with benches, playgrounds for children and sports gear. You can enjoy a wonderful view on the sea towards the “Sassi neri” area from the park. It is ideal for walking and outdoor training. The trail passing through the woods leading to ”San Michele” beach starts right here.
A VISIT TO THE CAVE THEATRE
In summer the whole theatre program is moved outdoor from the Cortesi Theatre to a place that is certainly among the things to see in Sirolo, the Cave Theatre. It takes its name from the disused quarry stone converted into a splendid open-air theatre that, every year in June, can accommodate up to 3.500 people. It cheers the Sirolo hot summer nights with music and live performances in a priceless scenario.
A WALK TO DISCOVER THE CONERO MOUNT
The Conero Riviera is pure magic. Imagine immersing yourself in a green and cool forest, and steeply beneath you, admiring the deep blue sea and the white beaches with amazement. Many trails can be done, either on foot or on mountain bike, but we definitely recommend you the Traversata del Conero (Across the Conero). It is a path, about 9 kilometres long, that leads you to discover all the most beautiful viewpoints such as Pian di Raggetti, the Belvedere Nord, where you can admire the Bay of Portonovo up to the Trave Rock, and the Belvedere Sud with the wonderful view on the Two Sister’s beach. We recommend you to bring good supplies of water and a free hiking map that you can find in the tourist info points of Sirolo and Numana. For more detailed information about the trails take a look at the site of the Conero Park. If you prefer guided tours you can contact Forestalp that organizes different excursions with various itineraries, including night excursions on full moons or days of shooting stars, sometimes accompanied by live music performances. The description of all the trails could be boring, so we will just talk about an area that you can find continuing downwards from Pian di Raggetti. It is an area well marked by explanatory panels where is possible to see the famous but rare K-T boundary. It indicates the transition from the Cretaceous to the Tertiary Era. It consists on a layer of clay rock, about one centimetre thick, which has an abundance of iridium, from 30 to 130 times more than normal. Iridium is a very rare metal on the Earth surface but very common in asteroids and comets. The very high presence of that metal in the K-T boundary records a meteorite impact event, having taken place approximately 65 million years ago. It caused the mass extinction of many living species, especially reptiles, such as dinosaurs. That’s it! A walk on the Conero Mount can take you back in time many millions of years. For lovers of outdoor sports we suggest the Conero Golf Club, a peaceful golf course, located in Località Coppo, a district of Sirolo, in Betellico road, 6.
A HORSE RIDE
Riding a horse to discover the Conero Mount is a unique experience for lovers of nature and animals. You will find the right rhythm in tune with your horse, breathing the clean air in the countryside, surrounded by the beautiful rolling hills of the Marches. We recommend the following riding stables: Il Corbezzolo, Agriturismo Rustico del Conero and Agriturismo Hornos.
A VISIT TO THE ABBEY SAN PIETRO AL CONERO
It is an ancient hermitage located near the summit of the Conero Mount dating back to the years around 1000 AC. It was first inhabited by hermit monks, then by the Benedictines and finally by the Camaldolesi. Today the surviving buildings in the complex are the small Romanesque church and its bell tower, while the convent is now a hotel. Embedded in the church wall there is a stone with the image of St. Michael and the Latin writing: “Angel Michael is here”.
A VISIT TO THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREA “I PINI” (THE PINE TREES)
The only archaeological area in the Marche region where you can visit the remains of a Picenum necropolis. The area has three circle graves, the largest one is 40 metres in diameter and is the tomb of the famous Queen of Sirolo, buried together with two chariots and very rich funeral equipment. It is recommended to complete your experience with a visit to the State Antiquarium of Numana where are displayed the findings discovered in the necropolis.
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RACE “PAINT MY RUN”
Paint my run is a non-competitive 5-km race during which the runners are hit by throwing coloured powders. When finishing the race the runners are painted and coloured head to toe and are photographers and video makers’ dream. Paint my run was born in Sirolo in summer 2012 and then it has also spread to other cities. It takes inspiration from the ancient Hindu festival of colours called Holi. In Sirolo it takes place in early September and it is easy to meet some racers, smeared with colours, on the beach on the day of the race.
