Caldarola is a lovely town,
in recent years it has undergone a lot of restoration to the stone
buildings in and around the town, with its churches, castle, theatre,
monuments, cobble roads and beautiful scenic square. During the summer
months it holds many events going back centuries, the bars and restaurants
serve excellent food at very affordable prices, you can get all your
food shopping here it has a butchers, cheese specialist, wine merchant
which sells local wines and local made biscuits, honey, olive oil
etc. recommended, delicatessen, grocers, barbers, tobacconist/ newspaper,
chemist and a choice of fruit and veg shops, it also has an ice cream
parlor, if you wish to do your shopping under one roof it has a mini
(Punto) supermarket, and it holds an outdoor market which is on Fridays.
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Cessapalombo
Population: 587
Altitude: 408 metres above sea level
Distance from Macerata: 36km
Cessapalombo is a little centre located in the valley of the river
Fiastrone, 408 metres above sea level. It is noted for its truffles
and for activities connected whit the ancient tradition of charcoal
burning. Although it is of medieval origin, almost nothing remains
of the original centre apart from the town layout because of the disastrous
earthquake of 1799 which also caused grave damage to other local towns,
among them Camerino. The name itself is linked to that distant period
and recalls a wood where firewood was gathered belonging to a certain
Palumbo, a fairly widespread name in the medieval period. Cessapalombo
was originally subject to the influence of the Abbey of Casauria in
Abruzzi. It later passed into the hands of various influential local
families and subsequently, in 1240, as a result of a concession by
the Papal Legate Sinibaldi Fieschi, it became part of the comune of
Camerino, with which it remained united until the proclamation of
the Kingdom of Italy.
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Fiastra
& Lake.
The noble
old abbey, nature park and loads of the Marche' s best Roman remains
lie just south of Macerata. The serene Abbey of Fiastra (open May-June
weekends only; July-Sept daily) is one of the great Cistercian abbeys
founded under the wing of Clairvaux in France.
Apart from its splendid
setting, it has delightful frescoes by the Salimbeni brothers and
Renaissance aim cloister. Part of the building now houses an archeological
museum with finds from nearby Urbs Salvia, and collection of antique
rural artifacts.
The whole Natural area is Reservoir, an idyllic spot for country rambles
that is carefully protected by the World Wildlife Fund.
A few km further south stand the remains of Urbs Salvia, the city
was founded in the 1stC BC and like many of the Marche' s Roman towns,
wiped out by Alaric in 408. This is an archeological find and you
can actually see the amphitheatre, built in the 2ndC TO, is one of
the region' s most conspicuous Roman ruins.
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Frasassi
Gorge & Caves.
Make for
the plunging Frasassi Gorge "journey to the centre of the Earth"
through the Caves of Frasassi, one of Italy' s largest and most famous
complex of caves. A recommended experience for a rainy day.
13 km of limestone caverns have todate been explored and it is reckoned
that they may run for up to 35 km. Only 1.5 km of this crystalline
wonderland is open to the general public. Equipped with walkways and
theatrical lighting, it includes the awesome Large Cove of the Wind,
Europe' s largest single cavern, I know vast that Milan Cathedral
would fit comfortably inside, and loads of the most extravagantly
fanciful stalagmites and stalactites you are ever likely to see. Even
claustrophobic's should' t find it too challenging.
The guided tour lasts for around an hour; dress up warmly as it is
a constant 14C inside, be warned that it can get crowded in high summer.
The highish admission charge is well worth it. From Nov. to Feb. there
are tours daily at 11,00, 15,00 and 16.00; from March to Sept daily
tours at 9,30, 11,00, 12,30, 15,00, 16,30 and 18,00 with continuous
tours in Aug from 8,00 until 18.30. For information telephone +39
0732 97211 or fax: 0732 972001.
Even if you don' t have time to see the caves, stop to admire the
splendid backdrop of the Frasassi Gorge and the Romanesque church
in the little spa of Saint Vittore of the Sluices (right by the hollow
ticket office and car Park). This tiny, perfectly to square chiesetta
was built in the 12thC on chastely simple lines and is one of the
prettiest of its kind in the Marches. (opposite to see inside ask
for the keys at the tobacconist' s.)
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Beach
Information.
If you
fancy a day out why not visit one of the many beaches approx 45-60
min. away.
The Marches region has 180 kilometers of Adriatic coastline, some
of which we have sampled and depending on whether you like sand, shingle,
crowded or quiet, its your choice, click on the useful links
to view information on beach resorts. See Useful Links Page for more
information.
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Ski
Information.
See
Web Page:- skiing/index.htm
