A destination of sea, music and beautiful landscapes: this is Castelfidardo, a small town in the heart of Le Marche region, in the province of Ancona.It is situated on a hill at 212 metres with spectacular views over the Conero Riviera, which is about 8 km away! You can spend some beautiful days exploring the town by foot and enjoying good local food. The tour shall continue to the many other beautiful centres of the Southern Marche, such as Porto Recanati, Osimo, Recanati and Loreto.
The old town
I recommend you to start your visit from the public gardens of the square Piazzale Don Minzoni, known as Porta Marina for the view over the Conero Riviera. Passing under the archway, you can continue in the main street towards the central square Piazza della Repubblica, where you'll find the Collegiate Church of St. Stephen and the Town Hall, of which you can admire the bell tower, the prison and the punishment room in the underground, the Coat of Arms Hall and the famous Accordion Museum in the basement. You can proceed towards Mordini Palace which houses the Museum of the Italian Risorgimento, the town Library and the Historical Archive. Going ahead you will find the Church of St. Francis, which is currently used as an auditorium. Right in front of it rises the Church of St. Mary of Mercy, then if you proceed you'll reach the Monastery dating back to the 16th century and the adjacent Church of St. Benedict. Do not miss the aqueduct in Garibaldi Square.
The Museum of the Italian Risorgimento and the National Monument of Le Marche
It is one of the most fascinating places in Castelfidardo, linked to a very important historical event: the battle of 18th September 1860 between the troops of the Kingdom of Sardinia and the Pontifical State. It is often regarded as the concluding episode of the Italian Risorgimento, as only thereafter it was possible to proclaim the birth of the Kingdom of Italy on 17th March 1861. The Museum of the Italian Risorgimento was opened in 1994 and the itinerary consists of three stages: the Ossuary-Shrine of the fallen soldiers near the Selva of Castelfidardo where the battle took place, the National Monument of Le Marche in honour of the winners of Castelfidardo, set on the hill of Monte Cucco and finally the exhibition halls in the historic palace Ciriaco Mordini.
The International Museum of Accordion
The first sample of accordion was created in Castelfidardo and still today the town is famous all over the world for the production of this precious instrument. Everybody and not only experts should absolutely visit the International Museum of Accordion, in the basement of the Town Hall. The museum hosts a collection of about 350 different models of accordion, in addition to sculptures, photographs and a reconstruction of a traditional workshop. There is a dedicated event which cannot be missed: the International Accordion Award, which takes place during the first half of September with artists from all over the world, workshops, exhibition areas, presentations of recordings and much more.
A Guinness Word Record Accordion
Obviously, the largest accordion in the world is in Castelfidardo!
This gigantic artwork is 253 cm high, 150 cm wide, 85 cm deep and weighs 200 kg and it was made by a local citizen.
It perfectly works but it can only be played by two musicians at the same time ;)
You can see it by appointment with its maker, who will be more than happy to tell you the whole story of this instrument.
