Marche Breaks

This smaller resort on the southern Marche "Palm Riviera" boasts 5km of fine sandy beaches. Its pretty traffic-free promenade is backed by some splendid examples of seaside Liberty architecture - grand villas that date back to the turn of the last century.

Along with the many palm trees that line the seafront, bright flower beds and well-kept lawns give the place great charm.

An azure sea,

green merry hills,

the mildness of the climate

and the fragrance of flowers and oranges

make a poem

alike to heavenly harmony of sounds.

(Franz Listz, guest at Grottammare in the summer of 1868)

Grupte ad mare (i.e. Grottammare)first appears in the 8th century, originating from St Martin's church (with a simple graded facade with an ornately decorated interior). Pope Alexander III resided in its abbey, erected on the ruins of a pagan temple. At his demand, ever since Sunday 1st July 1175, Grottammare evokes the event with a solemn Sagra Giubilare (Jubilee of Protector) whenever the 1st July is on Sunday.  However, the pontiff was not the only illustrious guest of Grottammare: Garibaldi, Vittorio Emanuele II, Girolamo Bonaparte, Franz Liszt, Grazia Deledda and Sibilla Aleramo stayed here. Besides, Felice Peretti (Sixtus V) and Pericle Fazzini (whom Ungaretti defined as the wind sculptor) were born here.

All of them had drawn serenity, benefit and inspiration from the intimate nature of the old town, as well as from its mild and healthy climate.The Medieval historic borgo up above the main resort has fine old buildings and great views out to sea. The attractive church of Santa Lucia was built in 1597 in memory of the town's most famous son, Pope Sixtus V. Above it all stands the ruins of the old Castle.

Through the ages, the old town was enriched with many magnificent and beautiful buildings as St John the Baptist's church (18th c), and Teatro dell'Arancio (Orange Theatre) opening its porch on the beautiful Peretti Square and facing the sea. This seaside town is prized for its people's reverence too, as testified by the St Francis of Paula church, dedicated by fishermen to their protector.

The union of Grottammare and the sea has always been very strong. For centuries the sea has been of primary importance. Since 1700, the port has aided a flourishing industrial and commercial development. Immediately after WWII, the need for entertainment transformed the famous Kursaal Dancing into an exclusive stage where, between 1952 and 1976, the most important names of Italian theatre performed.

Today, Grottammare is defined as A Pearl of the Adriatic Sea and it is classified among the best tourist and bath resorts of the Riviera. It appears surrounded by dense pine tree forests populated by charming Liberty style villas, and embellished by a splendid palm and oleander-lined path, forms an enchanting mix of colours and textures that bisects the 43rd parallel of latitude.