TASTES AND SURROUNDINGS

Relief from Heaven
Taste traditional Marchigian dishes, feel the sense of awe at the presence of Mediterranean natural surroundings and the atmosphere of medieval boroughs. Indulge yourself in the uniqueness of excursions. Visit famous local wineries to know about world class wine productions such as the Verdicchio. Relaid del Borgo: the ideal starting line for travelers’ expectations.

HISTORY
Staffolo, since ancient times

First civilizations in Staffolo go back to ancient times: archaeological remains have been found in different areas: Paleolithic utensils and accessories; pre-roman Italic bronze statuettes made by Umbrian-Sabellic peoples; Roman burial sites and carvings. Staffolo is located on a hill. It developed upon a Roman vicus (neighbourhood).

The name Staffolo comes from a Longobardic name: “Staffil” with the meaning of ‘border stake’ or ‘crossroad’. The first documents stating the name ‘Stafuli’ go back to 1078 A.D. In the XIII century Staffolo was an autonomous town with its own local regulations. These late middle ages laws have been kept as part of the Communal Statutes of those times. The manuscripts are kept at the local historic archives together with many other local parchment manuscripts belonging to the period between the XIII and the XVI centuries.

Geographically, Staffolo is located near the powerful city of Jesi; but the small town only underwent the dominance of Jesi on two occasions in history and only for very short periods. The first one took place during the political turmoil of the XIV and XV centuries, Staffolo underwent the plundering lead by frate (brother: from a brotherhood) Moriale d’Albarno (known as Fra’ Moriale). Giovanni Moriale d’Albarno wanted to punish Staffolo for its support to the Visconti’s ruling. Later, the protection walls of the town were rebuilt by order of Cardinal Albornoz during his campaign in Italy. Then, in 1433, Staffolo and other towns were sieged by Franceso Sforza’s forces in an attempt to control central Italy. Finally, in 1517 Staffolo suffered its last attack in history, this time, by Francesco Maria della Rovere. He was fighting against the Medici in order to regain the Dukedom of Urbino.

During the period 1543-1554 one of the first monte di pietà was established in Staffolo. A mount of piety was an institutional pawnbroker run as a charity in Europe from the later Middle Ages to XX century. They helped the poor financially with very convenient loans.
All throughout history, Staffolo has enjoyed rich cultural patrimony and illustrious people were born and have lived here. Visitors can enjoy monuments, buildings and mediaeval constructions as well as intense cultural life, including the work of music academies and local artists. It is well worth visiting the Church of Saint Egidio and the Church of Saint Francis (XIII century). Among local figures we can mention notary Vagnone Manuzio (XIII century) ancestor to the well-known Manuzio family, editors in Venice and Rome between the XVI and XVII centuries; the painting artist Maestro from Staffolo (XIV century; organ players Fabio and Alessandro Costantini (XVII century); and humanist Lancellotti (XVIII).

Staffolo has a population of approximately 2300 inhabitants.

SIGHTSEEING

In Staffolo,

• Church of Saint Francis
• Church of Saint Egidio
• Church of Castellaretta

• Poet Giacomo Leopardy’s home, in Recanati, 45 km away from Staffolo. Including the “Love walk”
• The Shrine of the Holy House, in Loreto, 46 km away from Sraffolo
• Castreccioni dike, 11 km away from Staffolo
• San Vicino Mount, 16 km away from Staffolo
• Frasassi stalactites and stalagmites caves and the Archaeological Museum, 37 km away from Staffolo
• Urbino, 113 km away from Staffolo
• Dinosaurs and Paleontology Museum, 48 km away from Staffolo
• Paper Museum in Fabriano, 45 km away from Staffolo
• Ancona (capital of the region) and Mount Conero Natural Reserve, 45 km away from Staffolo

• Mountain bike rides
• Walks among vineyars and centuries-old olive groves
• Excursions in search of local wild aromatic herbs
• Visits to famous local wineries and extra-virgin olive oil producers.
• Fun fair for children.

• Guided visits to wineries
• Guided cultural visits
• Boat sailing excursions to Mount Conero Bay: Mount Conero, Portonovo Park, Due Sorelle reef and Numana
• Boat sailing excursions along Adriatic shores: from Senigallia to Fano

• Horse riding
• Bocce
• Five-a-side football field, tennis courts

• Motocross (Cingoli)
• Canoe and Rafting (Cingoli)
• Gamefishing (Cingoli)
• Speleology (Genga)
• Canyioning (Genga)
• Rock-climbing (Pioraco)
• Escursions to caves and mountains
• Golf (Conero Golf Club, Sirolo)
• Underwater fishing