Marche Breaks

Among sweet hills dense with olive trees, that witnessed the everyday deeds of the ancient populations, not far away from the beach of San Benedetto del Tronto, there arises Acquaviva Picena, a beautiful fortified town of untouched medieval atmosphere.

Even today, in spite of the past centuries, magnificent and majestic Rocca degli Acquaviva di Atri represents the magic supporter of this town. It is probably one of the most interesting fortresses in the Region, built in the second half of the 15th c on the place of a formerly existing fortress, upon a plan of Baccio Pontelli, with an irregular quadrilateral plan.

The main tower is cylindrical and the others are angular with steep slopes. The history and legends leave the town immersed in the same incomparable scenery of remote times.

Each street corner is a testimonial of rich history: anyone can easily grasp it by simply going through the town doors with very eloquent names (the Gothic da Bora and the one called da Sole), that divide the imposing walls placed to protect the town.

While passing through the small streets of the centre, embellished by elegant facades of many noble palaces, one can admire superb examples of civil and religious architecture. But, one can also meet pajarolare: women of the town who, in accordance to an ancient tradition, even nowadays skilfully weave the characteristic baskets made of straw (pajarole).

The most powerful emotion is evoked by spectacular views that one can enjoy from the Piazza del Forte and from the street Trabucco. The sight from the former (a square) embraces the whole mighty structure of the Fortress. The latter ends in a real terrace facing the green infinity of the mountains and the deep blue of the sea.

The fortress regularly houses temporary exhibitions, as well as didactic activities. In its courtyard, on the other hand, various picturesque manifestations take place during summer, such as Sponsalia, a beautiful historic evocation of the marriage between Forasteria of Acquaviva and Rinaldo of Brunforte. All those are more than good occasions to immerse in the colours of the past, as well as in the fragrances of tasty cuisine, even today characterised by genuine food and generously washed down with exquisite white and red wines of local production.