Descrizione
Strolling through Corinaldo is like stepping into an open-air museum, where every corner tells stories of defence, power and traditions. The village, encircled by its imposing Renaissance walls, is one of the best-preserved in Italy and stands as a rare example of a fortified town, with a perimeter of 912 metres and a maximum height of 18 metres. Built in the 14th century and extended between 1480 and 1490, the walls showcase a veritable catalogue of military architecture, featuring machicolations, arrow slits, loopholes, parapet walkways, towers and monumental gates.
The undisputed symbol of the walls is the Torre dello Sperone, a mighty pentagonal structure probably designed by the Sienese architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini. Standing some 18 metres tall, the tower offers spectacular views over the Marche countryside and now houses a memorial dedicated to the victims of all wars. Alongside it, other towers such as the Torre dello Scorticatore, the Torre del Mangano and the Torre del Calcinaro tell stories of sieges and everyday life. The town’s three main gates – Porta San Giovanni, Porta Santa Maria del Mercato and Porta Nova – are true architectural gems.
Porta San Giovanni still retains defensive features such as the ‘bianchetta’, a small gate for night-time access, and traces of a drawbridge. Porta Santa Maria del Mercato, a majestic defensive complex, combines 14th-century arches with 15th-century polygonal structures. Porta Nova, built during the Renaissance expansion, was modified in the early 20th century to allow vehicles to pass through. Nestled amongst the characteristic towers and gates are the ‘landroni’, a porticoed corridor created by raising the height of the 17th-century stately buildings. The undisputed symbol of the Borgo is the Piagga staircase.
Here stands the famous ‘Pozzo della Polenta’, linked to a charming legend: a man, climbing the steps with a sack of flour, dropped it into the well, giving rise to the tale of polenta in the well and fuelling the rumours that have made the people of Corinaldo famous as ‘polentari’. Today, the well and the staircase are icons of local tradition. Completing the picture, Viale Dietro le Monache, lined with lime trees, offers a panoramic view of the walls, weaving nature and architecture together into a unique experience.
