Other nearby towns

On this page are Amandola, Ascoli Piceno, Caldarola, Camerino, Comunanza, Fermo, Gualdo, Macerata, Monte San Martino, San Ginesio, Tolentino and Visso.

Amandola, on the SS78 south of Sarnano, is a busy and attractive town entered through the Baroque Porta San Giacomo.  If you are here in the first week of September, you can watch some of the many events during the annual International Theatre Festival.

Amandola key facts
Population:  3,965
Height above mean sea level:  500 metres
Market day:  Wednesday
Distance from Villa Borghetti:  15 kilometres

Ascoli Piceno is the major centre of southern Le Marche.  Although it is relatively large compared with other towns in the area, the historic centre can easily be seen on foot.  A good place to start is the Piazza del Popolo, the travertine-paved main square.  La Quintana, Ascoli’s mediaeval jousting tournament, takes place there on the first Sunday of August.

Ascoli Piceno key facts
Population:  50,135
Height above mean sea level:  154 metres
Market day:  Wednesday, Saturday
Distance from Villa Borghetti:  60 kilometres

Caldarola’s history is inextricably linked with the fortunes of the Pallotta family which still owns the 16th century castle, now open to the public.  The splendid collegiate church also dates from the same period.

Caldarola key facts
Population:  1,706
Height above mean sea level:  314 metres
Market day:  Friday
Distance from Villa Borghetti:  19 kilometres

Situated on a ridge between two river valleys, Camerino boasts not only a cathedral but also a university.  Its history dates back to Neolithic times but most of the historic centre was built during the enlightened rule of the Da Varano family between the 14th and 16th centuries.

Camerino key facts
Population:  6,738
Height above mean sea level:  661 metres
Market day:  Saturday
Distance from Villa Borghetti:  37 kilometres

The old part of Comunanza follows the Aso valley, where the houses are supported by thick walls that plunge to the river below.

Comunanza key facts
Population:  3,098
Height above mean sea level:  448 metres
Market day:  Saturday
Distance from Villa Borghetti:  24 kilometres

The main town of Fermo stands just below its 13th century cathedral.  During the summer the impressive Piazza del Popolo plays host to Fermo’s International Music Festival.

Fermo key facts
Population:  35,418
Height above mean sea level:  319 metres
Market day:  Saturday
Distance from Villa Borghetti:  53 kilometres

Gualdo is a quiet little hilltop town that, along with Sarnano and San Ginesio, forms the so-called ‘golden triangle’ in which Villa Borghetti is situated.

Gualdo key facts
Population:  920
Height above mean sea level:  652 metres
Market day: Tuesday
Distance from Villa Borghetti:  11 kilometres

Macerata’s open-air Opera Festival in July, the sferisterio, takes place in an impressive 7,000 seat stadium.  The dignified town centre was built mostly between the 16th and 19th centuries.

Macerata key facts
Population:  41,020
Height above mean sea level:  315 metres
Market day:  Wednesday, Saturday
Distance from Villa Borghetti:  38 kilometres

Monte San Martino is a delightful small hilltop town which, like Sarnano, was visited by Prince Charles in 1992.  In the Church of San Martino is a polyptych of the Madonna and Child with Saints by Carlo and Vittore Crivelli, two of northern Italy’s greatest artists of the 15th century.

Monte San Martino key facts
Population:  823
Height above mean sea level:  600 metres
Market day:  not applicable
Distance from Villa Borghetti:  30 kilometres

San Ginesio is a pleasant town close to Villa Borghetti, with superb views across the Monti Sibillini and a delightful open air swimming pool. In the first week of July it hosts Solo a San Ginesio, a festival of music, theatre and dance.

San Ginesio key facts
Population:  4,031
Height above mean sea level:  687 metres
Market day:  Sunday
Distance from Villa Borghetti:  13 kilometres

Tolentino is a bustling mediaeval town north of Sarnano.  The handsome white Basilica di San Nicola is well worth a visit, as is the Castello della Rancia to the east, just off the SS77.

Tolentino key facts
Population:  18,662
Height above mean sea level:  228 metres
Market day:  Tuesday
Distance from Villa Borghetti:  29 kilometres

Visso is so far off the beaten track that it receives little attention, yet it is one of the architectural delights of southern Le Marche.  The triangular Piazza Capuzi is surrounded by mediaeval stuccoed buildings and in the adjoining Piazza Martiri Vissani is the beautiful 14th century church of Santa Maria.

Visso key facts
Population:  1,173
Height above mean sea level:  607 metres
Market day:  Friday
Distance from Villa Borghetti:  49 kilometres