Marches: Fano, Mondavio & Mombaroccio

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Fano is a beach resort with more than just a beach (and all that goes with that…). The walled town centers around the Piazza XX Settembre/Piazza Maggiore and the beautiful Fontana della Fortuna (1593) the fountain has a nude figure on the top that moves when the wind blows. On this same square are the Palazzo della Rangione (1299) and the Torre Civica (added in the 18^th century). Today, both are public buildings. The Palazzo Malatesta, built in the 15^th century is now the Museo Civico and the Pinacoteca Malatestiana is a local museum. In the Piazza Mercato you’ll find the ancient Arco di Augusto which was built in 2 AD. It’s taken a bit of a beating through the years, but is still a great monument to Augustus. You’ll see the arch in its original form on the church of San Michele (on the relief on the front). The cathedral of San Fortunato is nearby and has some good frescoes inside. The church of Santa Maria Nuovo has some fine paintings and a magnificent altar. Monday and Saturday are Market days in Fano.

In Mondavio, you’ll find a red brick Renaissance hill town (with touches of the middle ages). The town is easy to navigate. The imposing fortifications and castle on the hill are called La Rocca (the symbol of the town, a 15^th century fortress). There are 3 bridges that allow you to gain entry, which at one time were drawbridges. The castle, fortifications and drawbridges were designed to keep people out and were thought to be frightening in style and service. Today, La Rocca Roveresca is a museum and armory (Museo di Rievocazione and Museo L’Armeria della Rocca). There are several churches in town worth seeing, they are the 13^th century Chiostro di San Francescano, the 15^th century Chiesa dei SS Pietro e Paterniano (check out the paintings here) and just south of town the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Quercia (16^th century) with some fabulous frescoes.

Mombaroccio is a sweet 13^th century walled hill town with narrow streets and a castle/fortress (13^th century). The main square is Piazza Barocci. In this square you’ll find the Museo Arte Sacra in the Chiesa di San Marco (15^th century) and the Museo Di Civilta Contadine (located in the town hall). The town portals/entrances are the Porta Marina and the Porta Maggiore and at one time there was a drawbridge. Just outside of town is an interesting church with a cloister called Santuario del Beato Dante (15^th century), do make a stop here.