Happy TravellerWelcome to Civitanova Marche, a charming comune located in the Province of Macerata in the Italian region of Marche. Nestled between the cities of Ancona and Macerata, Civitanova Marche is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by travelers from all around the world. With its rich history, stunning landscapes, and delicious local cuisine, it’s no wonder why this enchanting destination should be on every traveler’s bucket list.
Geographically, Civitanova Marche is bordered by the municipalities of Montecosaro, Porto Sant’Elpidio, Potenza Picena, and Sant’Elpidio a Mare. The comune is made up of several hamlets or frazioni including Civitanova Alta, Fontespina, Maranello, Risorgimento, San Marone, and Santa Maria Apparente. The territory is diverse, with the southern districts lying on the Chienti river floodplain, formed in the Holocene, and along the coast, the districts lie partially on coastal plain sediments. The area spans 46.07 km2 and ranges in altitude from 3 to 223 meters above sea level, offering visitors breathtaking views of the Marche hills.
Civitanova Marche has a rich history dating back to prehistoric times when settlements were discovered by archaeologists from the Palaeolithic era. Founded by the Piceni Italic tribe as Cluana around the 8th century BC at the mouth of the Chienti river, the Romans captured it in 268 BC and founded a new settlement, Cluentis Vicus, on a hill near the sea in 50 AD. The city was destroyed by the Visigoths during the Migration Period, but much of the population took refuge in Vicus. Cluentis Vicus became a feudal town with the arrival of the Franks and was under the rule of various families, including the da Varano, Malatesta, Sforza, and Visconti.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, Civitanova Marche was renovated with a new wall for Città Alta, new roads, and palaces. The main square was expanded, and the church of San Paolo was built, while the civic tower was replaced by the clock tower. The port was also expanded, giving rise to another small town. By 1782, Civitanova Marche had 6057 inhabitants, of whom 5717 lived in Città Alta, 65 in San Marone, and 275 at the port. In contemporary times, Civitanova Marche captured the attention of the Italian public for the brutal murder of Alika Ogorchukwu, a 39-year Nigerian immigrant killed without apparent reason by an Italian, Filippo Claudio Giuseppe Ferlazzo, in 2022.
Civitanova Marche has a plethora of sights and attractions for visitors to enjoy. The Ducal Palace (Palazzo Cesarini-Sforza) is a must-visit attraction. Built circa 1550, the interior conserves some 16th-century frescoes by Pellegrino Tibaldi. The palace was refurbished in the 19th century and restored recently. It is situated in Piazza della Libertà of Civitanova
