La Strada del Vino Matelica - The Matelica Wine Trail
In the heart of the Marche region, starting from the Grotte di Frasassi (Caves of Frasassi) - an authentic wonder of creation with over 35 kilometers of huge cathedrals like underground rooms full of stalactites and stalagmites - is the area which produces the exclusive Verdicchio di Matelica Wine. These famous caves are part of the Commune of Genga, a small medieval castle immersed in the middle of the vast Parco Regionale della Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi (Regional Park of the Rossa and Frasassi Gorge), which is well worth a visit.
GENGA
Further on there is Fabriano, a town where the manufacture of paper had already begun in the 13th century and, traveling in time, it is possible to see these origins of the town at the Museo della Carta e della Filigrana (Paper and Watermark Museum). The entire historic center of this industrious town provides a perfect image of medieval times: the Piazza del Comune (Town Square), Palazzo del Podestà (Podestà Palace), Fontana Rotanda (Round Fountain) and the Palazzo Vescovile (Bishop’s Palace).
FABRIANO
Continuing in a southerly direction, passing the numerous and well known companies of the area, there is Cerreto d'Esi, also dominated by a magical medieval atmosphere with the Torre di Belisario (Belisario Tower) and the “architectural labyrinth” of the historic center. A few kilometers further on, lies Matelica, surrounded by numerous Verdicchio vineyards. Here, an atmosphere of ancient nobility remains: it is a very culturally rich town, as shown by Piazza Mattei (Mattei Square), Museo Piersanti (Piersanti Museum), Museo Civico ed Archeologico (Civic and Archaeological Museum) and the Teatro Comunale del Piermarini (Town Theatre), by the same architect who designed the Scala in Milan. Matelica is really the heart of the wine production and the Consortium has its headquarters here.
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Another very charming town is Castelraimondo, especially when, on Corpus Christi Day, the flower festival parades through the historic center, dominated by the crenellated tower of the Cassero. Before moving on to the noble town of Camerino, it’s worth stopping to visit Esanatoglia. Gagliole and Pioraco in order to try the local dishes prepared according to ancient rites, together with the intact cultural, environmental and natural harmony of these town. |
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This trip comes to end then at Camerino, home to one of the oldest universities in ltaly. Its urban layout is very characteristic and echoes its origin and development as a Commune (12th and 13th centuries) a long double road in the center, a great circle of walls all around. It is as if the town were controlling the surrounding territories. All the great treasures of Camerino are to be found within these walls: Duomo (Cathedral), Vescovado (Bishop’s Palace), the University. But let’s not forget the stunning, breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and the gateway leading to the Val di Chienti, another land of wonders waiting to be discovered. Courtesy of strada del verdicchio di Matelica Matelica verdicchio wine Trail |
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© 1997-2010 Enrico Massetti
TangoItalia - Food, Wine, Travel, and... tango in Italy.
Visit Marche:
Marches one page
Mount Conero
Fabriano
Pesaro-Urbino
Pesaro-Urbino art
- food
Urbino-Montefeltro
Valmarecchia food
formaggio di fossa
Fiastra Abbey
Ascoli Piceno
- Carnival
Ascoli History:
- Piceno capital
- the Roman Age
- the Longobards
Marche Castles:
Gradara
Gradara history
Gradara legend
San Leo
San Leo legend
San Leo history
Wine trails:
Verd. Matelica
Verdicchio di Jesi
- Cupramontana
- Montecarotto
- Morro D'Alba
- Poggio Marcello
-
S. Paolo Di Jesi
- Staffolo