Loreto and Recanati
Loreto and Recanati are two jewels to be discovered less than twenty minutes by car from Sirolo, destination for tourists from all over the world.
Loreto is a small fortress-town, dominated by the Sanctuary which houses the Holy House, that is the house of the Madonna in Nazareth, transported to Loreto from the Holy Land in the XIII century. Besides visiting the Basilica and the Papal Museum and their works of art from Renaissance to present, you can admire the landscape from the round paths that surround the entire perimeter of the church.
When you go to Recanati, the birthplace of Giacomo Leopardi is definitely worth a visit. His famous library numbers more than 12.000 original volumes. Therefore, it will be an exciting experience if you love art and literature. In this small village poetry is all around, and everything is in harmony with the surrounding landscape. The museum of Villa Colloredo Mels hosts a permanent collection of some of the most famous painting by Lorenzo Lotto, while from the Borgo Tower you can enjoy a breathtaking view.
Nearby city centers and museums
The Marches is famous for its villages perched on the top of the hills. In Osimo and Camerano you can have the unusual experience of going down into the caves that are just below the historic centers. Offagna is another unmissable destination: a characteristic medieval village between Osimo and Ancona, where every year in July the streets and squares return to live an authentic medieval atmosphere.
For museums we definitely recommend a walk to Ancona, where you'll find collections for all tastes, from archeology to contemporary art.
The Frasassi caves
We definitely recommend a visit to these beautiful caves, which are among the largest and most interesting in Europe…a real must-see! Nearby, make a stop at the Romanesque abbey of San Vittore and the temple of Valadier: these are perfect examples of architecture set in the mountains.
Urbino
Urbino has been part of UNESCO heritage since 1998. It’s a place where time seems to have stopped at the Renaissance. Here there’s an absolute harmony between man and nature, between the Ducal Palace (where Federico da Montefeltro’s incredible inlaid wood study is preserved) and the pleasant hills around. The National Gallery of the Marche houses some famous masterpieces, without forgetting that Raffaello Sanzio was born here!
Outlet
Shopping counts too! The Marches are famous for its footwear and clothing district. In the center of Sirolo and in Osimo Stazione you will find Baffetti Cashmere Outlet. In the area of Macerata and Fermo (about an hour's drive from Sirolo) there are the factory outlets of Massimo Rebecchi, Paciotti, Diego Della Valle, Prada, Nero Giardini, Fornarina and several other fashion brands. In Recanati there is the Clementoni children's toy store.