6 reasons to visit
Cantiano
Its summit pierces the clouds, whilst the pink hues of the sunset soften the contours of the slopes and set the deep green of the woods aglow. Monte Catria offers a truly breathtaking spectacle: a majestic presence that dominates the horizon and defines the very soul of the region.
From the spacious Piazza Luceoli, the heart of Cantiano, the mountain seems so close you could almost touch it. Here, whether you’re strolling or enjoying an aperitif, you experience the thrill of being an integral part of a magical setting, skilfully crafted by nature to welcome people.
In Cantiano, natural beauty and man-made beauty blend seamlessly. The village is designed to form a single entity with the surrounding landscape, where every architectural feature contributes to creating a visual harmony that is unique within the Apennines.
Water is the precious resource that Mount Catria provides in abundance. It does not merely flow through the riverbeds, but also flows through the streets of the village centre. The constant gurgling provides an enchanting and soothing background sound, bearing witness to the vital bond between the mountain peak and the village.
Among the many fountains, the one in the central square stands out as a true symbol of the community’s identity. The band’s anthem and the name of the Filodrammatica theatre group are both dedicated to this urban fountain, making it a living symbol of the bond between the townspeople and their homeland.
Cantiano is a place where time slows down and the senses are reawakened. It embodies the very essence of a village that has managed to preserve its purity, offering visitors an authentic retreat characterised by the tranquillity of the mountains, historic architecture and the timeless sound of flowing water.
Discover the charms of Cantiano
The Beauty Trail comes to life
Exploring the beating heart of the Marche has never been easier with Criluma Viaggi!
Romantic weekends, days spent immersed in nature or cultural tours: we’ve put together itineraries to suit all tastes and time constraints.
Identity, sculpted and painted
The history and beauty of the town centre
There are few other places quite like Cantiano where you can experience history, rather than merely study it.
The identity and origins of this community are not merely preserved in the pages of the archives, but are indelibly etched into the stone and into what people have built with it.
From Piazza Luceoli, which retains the name of the Umbrian-Roman settlement, just a few steps separate us from the two ancient fortifications that mark a pivotal stage in Cantiano’s history, following the Roman period and the turbulent early Middle Ages.
Around the year 1000, the Rocca di Colmatrano and the Rocca di Sant’Ubaldo were built; today, a few precious remains stand as testament to their former splendour. It was here that Cante Gabrielli settled, the lord who gave his name to the newly founded town, which from that moment on served as the impregnable guardian of the Via Flaminia.
Stone speaks to us in the historic centre: from the nearby Gola del Burano comes carnelian, a distinctive white stone that clads the Clock Tower and the façade of the Town Hall, as well as many homes. Contrasting with this whiteness are the sooty façades on Via Augusto Fiorucci, blackened by the smoke produced during the terrible periods of plague in an attempt to sanitise the surroundings. But Cantiano was famous for far more sophisticated remedies to tackle epidemics, including a balm said to be miraculous.
It was precisely to express her gratitude for the beneficial effects of this medicine that a Roman noblewoman donated the Madonna del Cardellino to the city – a priceless work from the workshop of Pinturicchio (or Perugino), the jewel in the crown of its artistic heritage, housed in the Collegiate Church of St John the Baptist, a Baroque church with a lavish interior.
But other churches also deserve our attention, such as the very central Church of St Nicholas and the Church of St Augustine, with its beautiful Romanesque portal. There is also space for greenery in the centre of Cantiano: the Parco della Rimembranza is an oasis, at the entrance to which we can admire the War Memorial. The park is dedicated to the victims from Cantiano of the First World War; in memory of each one, a stately horse-chestnut tree has been planted to immortalise their memory.
Stories that emerge from underground
Archaeological finds and ancient artefacts tell us about Cantiano
The former premises of the Convent of St Augustine are now home to the ‘G. C. Corsi’ Archaeological and Via Flaminia Museum. A place that plunges us into Cantiano’s ancient history. The first section is devoted to geopalaeontology and, it must be said, brings to light Cantiano’s prehistory, when, instead of hills and mountains, there was once a vast coral archipelago here. The star of the show is Ugo, a giant amphibious reptile that lived even before the dinosaurs, whose features have been reconstructed on the basis of footprints found on the slopes of Mount Catria. This prehistory is followed by the history of the first human settlements in the museum’s archaeological section. The two main exhibits on display are a milestone from the Via Flaminia – a precursor to our road signs – on which the distance between Rome and Cantiano is indicated, calculated with perfect precision, and the ‘Bronzetto’.
The latter is a small statue that seems almost oracular in the way it reveals to us, through its features, the uniqueness that sets Cantiano apart. The Picene helmet, the face with its unmistakable Etruscan features and the sturdy physique characteristic of Umbrian bronze figurines are proof that Cantiano was always a borderland, a hub linking Etruria and Piceno, the Marche and Umbria.
There is no shortage of other artefacts: fibulae, pots, tweezers, mirror fragments, arrowheads and coins. These may be ‘humble’ objects, but they provide a rich insight into the daily lives of the Roman settlers, who found rest here after the rigours of war, and into the subsequent historical period, marked by sieges and fierce battles.
The importance Cantiano acquired following the construction of the Via Flaminia in 220 BC – for which it was a key junction – is further and spectacularly demonstrated by the Pontericcioli Archaeological Site.
Imposing stone colossi rise up in an area that has remained untouched by human encroachment.
We can stroll freely, accompanied by the chirping of a magpie or the slow chewing of a grazing animal, and admire an enormous retaining wall made of ‘grigna’ stone – a typical local grey rock formation – the Ponte Grosso, the three-arched bridge and the remains of the Ponte Voragine, which transport us back to the architectural splendour of ancient Rome.
A paradise amidst woods and mountains
The beauty of the unspoilt landscape of Catria
The elements of nature cradle Cantiano, caress it and pamper it, lavishing it with their gifts. From here we can see Mount Catria, Mount Acuto and Mount Tenetra rising up until they pierce the clouds; together, they form one of the most significant mountain ranges in the Marche region.
The massif, which appears shadowy and austere, actually reveals itself in all its splendour.
There are numerous trails marked out along its slopes, suitable for everything from a leisurely walk to a more challenging trek, which lead us through the mountain’s most hidden recesses.
The bare rock, which is only apparently uniform, represents a veritable ‘geological atlas’ due to the wealth of information it offers the attentive observer, recounting the long history of the Apennines’ formation and development. The green heart of the area is the Bosco di Tecchie Nature Reserve, a protected area of around 195 hectares that stretches luxuriantly amongst the Serre di Burano, a long mountain range marking the border with Umbria.
Accessible only via the narrow paths that wind respectfully amongst the tall trees, this wooded area has remained untouched by human hands and is preserved in all its purity.
Our lungs fill with air, pure and free from all impurities, as we make our way amongst the majestic trunks of the ancient beech trees that cover the sky with their broad canopies; interspersed amongst this tribe of giants of wood and sap are imposing Turkey oaks with their airy foliage.
Each season tints the leaves of these and many other species with new colours, a cycle that seems to evoke the various artistic periods of a painter, and which is constantly renewed.
The damp ground, at times as soft as a carpet, beneath which various types of mushrooms lie hidden, is traversed by a diverse array of curious-looking wildlife.
We can hear the shrill croaking of red frogs or the swift escape of a spotted salamander, or even the heavy tread of the hooves of some ungulates.
Both within the Reserve and in every other corner of the Catria, water is a constant presence, which, with its coolness, softens the rock and perfumes the air.
Rivers, streams and rivulets nourish the lush vegetation and have, ever since the Reserve’s inception, represented an inestimable asset for Cantiano and its unspoilt ecosystem.
The incredible charm
of the Turba
A colossal re-enactment staged by the whole of Cantiano
The spectacle that comes to life in Cantiano on Good Friday stirs up emotions that are hard to put into words. As night slowly falls, the whole village is lit up by the flickering flames of candles and torches.
The streets seem to reflect the countless stars in the sky. This is the effect of the Turba, the oldest and most extraordinary of Cantiano’s traditions. More than 250 participants, all from the village, take on the roles of the key figures in the Passion, death and Resurrection of Jesus: the humble and the powerful, the soldiers and the disciples, the Messiah and his executioners stage an incredibly evocative folk theatre performance.
The ascent to Calvary begins in Piazza Luceoli and ends at Sant’Ubaldo, where the three crosses, illuminated by the torchlight procession, are raised to the strains of the Te Deum.
A shroud falls from the empty central cross, symbolising the Resurrection of Christ and the message of peace and hope it brings, marking the end of the performance.
An event inextricably linked to the very soul of Cantiano, experienced with immense enthusiasm and pride.
It is no coincidence that ‘Turba’ means ‘people’, who are the true stars of the whole day.
To ensure that everyone can learn about this event throughout the year, the Turba Museum has been established, housed within the same premises as the Archaeological Museum.
Here, we can trace its historical evolution through stage costumes, documents, artefacts and audiovisual displays. Originally, the Turba was a procession of flagellants, arising in the wake of the popular movements for religious reform that began in Umbria in the 13th century.
Then, as the centuries passed, it increasingly came to resemble its present-day form, shedding some of its liturgical elements in favour of narrative and theatrical ones, until it became as visually stunning as a Hollywood blockbuster.
Of fundamental importance in the modern era were the changes made by the primary school teacher Dante Bianchi, whose handwritten notes on the script are jealously guarded to this day.
The elegant strength of the Catria horse
A major event dedicated to Cantiano’s emblematic animal
These animals are imbued with an aura of natural elegance, thanks to their movements, their proud gait and the lustre of their coat.
Horses have always played a central role in stories and legends alongside humans, with whom they share hardships and heroic deeds; they are special creatures, and they have a deep bond with Cantiano, having been accustomed to trotting across these lands since time immemorial (there are records of this dating back more than a thousand years).
In Cantiano, the ‘Catria Horse’ has become famous: this is a breed whose evolution has been shaped by cross-breeding with various other breeds, such as the Maremmano or the ‘Croato’, favoured for transport by charcoal burners, who used to rely on these strong four-legged animals. The Cavallo del Catria has thus become an extremely robust animal, suited to the rigours of carrying all manner of loads to assist its human companions, but also instinctively inclined to guide visitors as they discover the natural wonders surrounding Cantiano.
A horse ride is a truly magical way to enjoy the rich local landscape. The culmination of this special relationship is the Cantiano Horse Fair, which has been running for over thirty years.
The “Horse Fair”, held in conjunction with the “Catria Horse Show”, is a major event that takes place every second weekend in October and on the following Sunday at the “La Badia” Equestrian Centre.
A key event in the sector in Italy, following the first day dedicated to industry professionals, there is something for everyone.
There is a series of displays in which the animals and their trainers demonstrate their extraordinary skills and the bond they have forged.
Particular attention is paid to the fun-filled activities, designed to create lasting memories for the little ones.
This creates an atmosphere that blends culture and entertainment, offering a special opportunity to discover the local area amidst the whinnies, the scents of the countryside and traditional flavours, such as the unmissable polenta alla carbonara from Chiaserna.
Cantiano: a source of delicacies
The riches of water and land that form the basis of food and wine products
We have already seen how water is a resource from which Cantiano derives great prosperity.
The local mountain springs, from which extraordinarily pure and natural water flows, are also one of the key ingredients in the production of some of the area’s typical gastronomic specialities.
Chiaserna bread, for example, would not have the same fragrant flavour, nor that inviting and long-lasting crispness, were it not for the use of water from Mount Catria during the baking process, carried out according to a traditional recipe that is strictly adhered to in the three bakeries that produce it, two of which are situated in the village from which this product takes its name.
And what about Catria Beer? This heady brew, awarded the ‘Birra Agricola Italiana’ label, is produced using mostly locally grown barley and spring water, to which malt is added to create an exhilarating flavour. Flavours and traditions: an inseparable pairing in Cantiano, whose land never ceases to offer its delicious gifts.
Like a precious gem, a ruby worthy of a queen’s tiara, the wild cherry tree that grows wild in Cantiano yields the wild cherry which, preserved in sugar syrup using a method dating back to the early 20th century, becomes the world-famous Amarena di Cantiano.
A refined and tantalising delicacy that has won over the whole of Italy, whilst remaining firmly rooted in local production.
Fields, clearings and meadows nourish the grazing animals with their rich soil: cattle, horses and pigs are reared in a semi-wild state amidst the bountiful surroundings of this region, and this is one of the secrets behind the high-quality meats and cured meats produced here.
Like an inexhaustible treasure chest, the soil of Cantiano, thanks to its climatic and geological characteristics, reveals yet another succulent treasure: the truffle, the diamond of the earth.
Discover the charms of Cantiano
The Beauty Trail comes to life
Exploring the beating heart of the Marche region has never been easier. Criluma Viaggi is proud to bring to life Confcommercio Marche Nord’s ‘Itinerario della Bellezza’ project, transforming a guide to excellence into real-life itineraries, ready for you to experience.
Romantic weekends, days spent immersed in nature or cultural tours: we’ve created itineraries to suit all tastes and time constraints. The Criluma experience is the added value that guarantees you first-class treatment, comprising continuous support, personalised attention and immediate responses.