Le Vie del Romanico nelle Marche' is a presentation of more than 130 late medieval churches, cathedrals, abbeys, priories and monasteries dotted across the Marche region.
Produced by the by Regione Marche as part of the 'Marche Museo Diffuso' project, the booklet and accompanying map are the defintive guide for discovering a 200 year period from the 11th to 13th centuries through its architectural heritage.
This was a time when Le Marche was an important land of passage for pilgrims, traders and cultural exchange through the Apennines between Rome and the Adriatic coast. Also included are hermitages, chapels, baptisteries and even doorways, each grouped according to classic Romaneques, town Romanesque and the lesser Romanequse stlyes.
Each province in the region is featured with Ascoli Piceno taking the honour of most indications, including such locations as Offida, Fermo and Montemonaco. In fact, the provincial capital also has 16 structures of interest.
So, where do you begin? Well, visit first those indicated as 'Il Romanico delle Eccellenze' or the Romanesque style 'par excellance'.
Here are 12 we have picked out.
Province of Pesaro Urbino
Pieve di S.Pietro in Messa, Pennabili, La Val Marecchia; Abbazia di S.Michele Arcangelo di Lamoli, Borgo Pace, La Valle del Metauro; Cattedrale di S.Maria Assunta, Fano, La Valle del Metauro.
Province of Ancona
Cattedrale di S.Leopardo, Osimo, Il Bacino del Musone; Abbazia di S.Pietro al Conero, Sirolo, Ancona & il Conero; Abbazia di S.Maria in Castagnola, Chiaravalle, Il Bacino dell'Esino.
Province of Macerata
Abbazia di S.Maria di Rambona, Pollenza, La Valle del Potenza; Eremo S.Angelo in Prefoglio, Pievetorina, Alto Chienti; Chiesa di S.Lorenzo, Fiastra, La Valle del Fiastra.
Provincia di Ascoli Piceno
Chiesa di S.Giorgio all'Isola, Montemonaco, La Valle dell'Aso; Abbazia del SS. Rufino e Vitale, Amandola, La Valle del Tenna; Priorato di S.Vittoria in Matenano, La Valle dell'Aso.
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