Castelplanio: Museums, San Sebastiano Church, Verdicchio and Sentiero del Granchio Nero

Castelplanio brings together personal memories, sacred art, regional specialties and paths through the countryside. It is also home to Verdicchio DOC wine, olive oil and the traditional Crescia.

Museums, churches and historical connections

The Museo Carlo Urbani displays materials, photographs, memorabilia and experiences documented by Carlo Urbani himself during field operations. The story is divided into three main rooms: the first presents the doctor’s biography, the second is dedicated to his work and passions, and the last to his scientific and moral legacy.

San Sebastiano Church was built in 1878 and houses a polychrome terracotta bust of Saint Sebastian from the 16th century, attributed to Mattia della Robbia. At the Museo Civico di Palazzo Fossa Mancini, you can see large-format photographic reproductions of the surviving panels of Lorenzo Lotto’s Castelplanio Polyptych from 1531. They depict Saint Christopher and Saint Sebastian and are now held in the State Museums in Berlin. The museum is located on the piano nobile of the palazzo, an 18th-century private residence of the Counts Fossa Mancini. It also contains a fresco from 1522 attributed to Andrea Aquilini (Andrea da Jesi).

The Abbey of San Benedetto dei Frondigliosi is already mentioned in documents dating from 1199. The name Castelplanio is connected with the historical events of this nearby abbey. The surrounding area of Castelplanio is also home to Pianetti Palace and Colocci Palace, both palaces, as well as the Museo “a. Colocci”, a museum.

Sentiero del Granchio Nero and destinations in the surrounding area

The Sentiero del Granchio Nero begins on Via Caciampa in Castelplanio and connects the main town with the hamlet of Macine. Over two kilometres, the trail passes through a riparian forest, alongside a stream and past a natural pond.

For further scenic destinations, the area around Castelplanio offers Monte Murano, Monte Revellone and the summit of Monte San Pietro. The Frasassi Caves, a cave system, are also nearby.

Verdicchio, olive oil and Crescia

Verdicchio DOC wine is produced in Castelplanio. Frantoio Chiodi has always produced high-quality olive oil by first cold-pressing olives sourced mainly from the typical growing areas of the Marche, but also from Umbria. A tour suggested by the municipality includes a visit to Frantoio Chiodi by prior appointment.

The traditional Sagra della Crescia sul Panaro began in 1974 and reached its 49th edition in 2024. At the festival, the Crescia is kneaded entirely by hand, rolled out, baked and seasoned; the polenta is cooked using a machine built by local artisans. Castelplanio’s Crescia di polenta is made by mixing polenta with soft-wheat flour. Its recipe dates back to the tradition of turning leftover polenta into sweet and savoury Cresce.

Discover more places: Mergo, Numana, Corinaldo, Marina Di Montemarciano, Fabriano, Moie, Camerata Picena, Montoro

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