Petritoli Le Marche

PETRITOLI

Petritoli is a medieval village perched on a hilltop 358 metres above sea level in the Ascoli Piceno province of Le Marche in central Italy between the Adriatic Sea and the Appenine mountain chain.

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The village, its 2 hamlets Moregnano and Valmir, and the surrounding countryside have a population of 2500. It is a largely self-sufficient village with a bank, post-office, grocery stores, mini-markets, butchers, bakers, fresh pasta shop, hardware store, electrical store, florists, gift-shops, hairdressers, beauticians, G.P's, library, school, newsagents, petrol station, 3 bars, 4 restaurants, pizza take-away, cottage hospital, museum, numerous artists and artisans, and a small but beautiful theatre.

The delightful historical centre of Petritoli is entered through a quite stunning gateway comprising of two round 15th century towers connected by a series of three 19th century neogothic arches. The village follows the typical pattern of this region with the main square, Piazza Rocca, at the top housing the 40 metre high clock tower (1831) and the oldest properties (the original monastic centre), and the rest of the yellow brick village winding down below against the rock face.

Teatro dell'Iride (1875)has recently been renovated and now holds regular concerts, plays and other performances. Of the numerous churches, the two most interesting are the 14th-15th century Chiesa di San Prospero and the Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Martiri with its unusual 17th century frescoes set out in 15 octagonal scenes, and rare organ, work of the renowned Callido.

The countryside surrounding Petritoli is typical of central Italy. Rolling hills stretching for miles, fold into each other occasionally interupted by the pale yellow cliffs, finally to be framed by the blue of the sky or the Adriatic Sea to the east, and the dark forms of the Sibillini mountains, snow capped during the winter months, to the west. Distant hilltop villages and towns are highlighted by the sunshine and their yellow bricks, lit up, contrast sharply with the greens and browns of the countryside that falls below them.

Closer to Petritoli the lonely farmhouses, reached by a labyrinth of white lanes, sit amongst the stripes of the vinyards, the silver grey of the olive groves, the orchards with their white and pink blossoms; and, the fields of wheat and sunflowers ploughed brown in winter, turning green with the warmth of spring before finally becoming yellow in the heat of the summer sun. An ever changing landscape of incredible beauty.

There is a lively social calendar in Petritoli particularly during the summer months when the village's population seems to double with the influx of italians from the main cities in search of a better quality of lifestyle. The main festival in Petritoli is the Festa Della Cove, held the weekend of the second sunday of July. It is a truly magnificent record of the history and traditions of the village and a testimony to the hard work put in by the local residents. Food, wine, music, dancing, absolutely beautiful floats and lots and lots of smiling. Worth a visit! Alternatively you can come and watch the wooden wheeled go-carts hurtling through the streets at the Festa Della Madonna the first Sunday after Ferragosto.

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John the Baptist is the Patron Saint of Petritoli celebrated on the 24th of June.

The village is 16km away from the coast and the delightful seaside resort of Pedaso. It is 35 minutes away from the Sibillini mountains.

Both the main airports serving the region are within easy reach, Ancona airport an hour away and Pescara about 70 mins distant.

Market Days: 9th and 22nd of the month; 3rd Sunday of the month in Valmir.

Things to do:

Visit the local artists:

www.giuseppebasili.com

www.sharonkantor.it
In Sharon's gallery you will also find a small but very interesting museum.

Franco Tizi: studio open every sunday morning in the piazza at the top of the village.

Visit the Printing museum: www.anticastamperiafabiani.it
If you can speak a bit of italian you will enjoy the company of Giancarlo Fabiani and probably get a free coffee or something stronger!

Eat:
Ristorante Hotel Roma:
A great place to stop for lunch. Excellent food at bargain prices. Bread, a pasta dish, wine, water, fruit and coffee all for 6 euros.

Osteria de le Cornacchie:
A set menu of traditional local dishes. Broad beans to die for. This Osteria is famous in the area and extremely popular. You do not have to eat the tripe! Well worth a visit. Vegitarians should inform Sergio the owner beforehand. Advanced booking required.

Ristorante Re Squarchiò:
What can I say? Prepare yourself for a feast! The food just keeps arriving(again it is a set menu) so go carefully on the starters. This really is an excellent restaurant. Andrea speaks some English and makes the best italian baked beans I have tasted. Open at lunchtime. Advanced booking required and again let Andrea know beforehand if you are vegetarian. Go carefully on the vino cotto and mistrà!

Ristorante Pizzeria Obelix:
Haven't been!! It has recently changed hands, but reports have been excellent by locals and expats. Open Lunchtime.

Theatre:
The local comune (or tourist information office during the summer months) will hold leaflets detailing forthcoming performances.

Festivals:
As with all local villages there seem to be endless festas. Most are religion based and seem to involve nothing but a procession, sometimes with the local band, sometimes not. More often than not, Mary mother of Jesus puts in an appearance. During July and August there is a whole range of festivals and a brochure is provided setting these out beforehand. Last year we had the Miss Gran Prix festival. Well at least it wasn't the Miss Wet T-Shirt competition (I believe that was in San Benedetto).
The two main festivals have already been described above. They really are good!

Accommodation:

The Hotel Roma offers excellent accommodation either in the modern hotel just outside the village or within a restored palazzo situated in the historic centre. See link below.

La Scentella is a country property offering apartments within walking distance of the village (admittedly it is a 10 min walk uphill into the village). The owner Roberto is passionate about the countryside in this area and together with like-minded italians has established the Associazione Agritur Aso to promote and protect the beautiful countryside. He makes his own (very nice) wine and essential oils. He is passionate about herbs and you will be able to walk amongst his herb garden admiring their perfume. Roberto also enjoys cooking, so if you are lucky you will be given the opportunity to join in one of his regular lively dinners. See Link below.

A short drive from Petritoli there is a beautiful farmhouse to rent with a swimming pool. See link below.

Stay-le-marche.com offers newly completed apartments (each with private outside space)in the historic centre.