Serra Deʼ Conti between City Walls, Monasteries and Cicerchia

Serra de' Conti is located in the Marche region on the hills of the Misa Valley, surrounded by gentle, rolling and agriculturally cultivated hills. In the Centro Storico, a well-preserved medieval city wall protects the historic town centre. Here, landscape, architecture, monastic history and local festival culture come together – themes that you can weigh differently when planning your trip.

Historic Centre and Medieval Traces

You can reach the Centro Storico via Corso Roma or Piazza IV Novembre. On the western side of Serra de' Conti, Porta della Croce was built in 1431 as part of the city walls; a work by Bruno d'Arcevia can still be seen in its lunette. The Torre Civica was originally built as a fortification tower during a period between the 13th and 14th centuries that cannot be determined precisely. It is not accessible, but the clock mechanism remains visible through a glass door at Corso Roma 35.

Churches, Monastery and Artistic Details

The churches also tell stories from different periods. The Chiesa di San Michele was built in 1290 by Camaldolese Benedictine monks from the Abbey of Santa Maria di Sitria. The Chiesa di Santa Maria „De Abbatissis“ was built in the first half of the 13th century and belonged to the Benedictine Abbey of S. Croce di Sassoferrato in 1252. In a chapel dedicated to him, Blessed Gherardo is displayed in a glass urn for the veneration of the faithful.

The Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena has an elliptical floor plan within the monastery complex of the same name. Its wooden furnishings, with ornaments of high artistic quality, shape the interior; a more recent restoration restored the old materials and original colours. The Santa Maria Maddalena monastery was rebuilt in the 16th century and has a large tower and a church with Baroque interior furnishings. The “GIGETTO 1910” workshop produces individually crafted wooden accessories.

Sound, Poetry and Contemporary Impulses

Another way to discover the town is through sound and poetry. The Museo delle Arti Monastiche offers a sound walk that leads through the streets, alleyways, viewpoints, squares and small piazzas of Serra de' Conti. A poetic route in the historic centre designed by Gio Evan comprises ten poems hidden in the alleyways. The Nottenera project supports creatives and artists through productions and residencies. The Canto della Pasquella is an original song found in the documents of the Santa Maria Maddalena monastery; it was composed by Sister Maria Virginia Donzelli.

Cicerchia, Crafts and Festival Culture

The Festa della Cicerchia adds a culinary accent: it takes place over three days on 24, 25 and 26 November and is dedicated to Cicerchia. Around a hundred dishes are served in local “cantine del buon gusto”. The celebrated Cicerchia received recognition as a “Presidio Slow Food” after being preserved, produced and promoted by local farmers. Traditional craft techniques in wood, wicker, terracotta, copper, iron, lace, sewing and embroidery are also presented. At the end of the Canto della Pasquella, hot polenta and a glass of wine are served in Piazza Matteotti.

Getting There and Further Travel Ideas

For travel by train, Senigallia and Jesi are the nearest railway stations; from there, Serra de' Conti can be reached by scheduled buses. This allows culture, landscape and events to be considered together when choosing the travel period and planning each day.

Further Travel Ideas

For further travel ideas, you can also visit San Biagio, Campodonico, Mergo, Sirolo, Offagna, Agugliano, San Paolo Di Jesi and Caudino.

For the overview of the wider area: Ancona.