Holiday apartment in Cerreto D'esi: castle, trails and vineyards

Castello di Cerreto d'Esi and historic paths

Via Tribbio crosses the Castello di Cerreto d'Esi. Its right-angled layout illustrates a town plan with two main axes corresponding to the Roman Decumanus and Cardo. The medieval tour begins and ends at Piazza Caraffa; the historic town center lies elevated above the Borgo and is surrounded by a high town wall. A complete walk along Via Tribbio offers unusual views within the Castello.

A path leads to the present-day entrance to the Castello, from which the remains of an imposing medieval drawbridge can be seen. It probably spanned a moat running around the walls. The bridge remains are accessible from Piazza Caraffa and Via Belisario via a wooden ramp that can only be used on foot. The medieval Porta Giustiniana dates from the 12th to the 13th century and has a small clock tower at the top.

Religious art is also part of the town's historic character. The collegiate church of Santa Maria Assunta is also known as Santa Maria della Piazza and is one of the oldest and most important churches in the Castello di Cerreto d'Esi. It contains a wooden crucifix carved by Fra Paolo da Chioggia between 1527 and 1528. In the Castello, on Piazza Marconi, the Antica Farmacia Giuli preserves part of its valuable wooden furnishings as well as several vessels that were used over time as pharmacy containers. The Antica Farmacia Giuli Museum also preserves works of art by various artists active between the 15th and 18th centuries, including Antonio di Agostino da Fabriano, Luca di Bartolomeo delle Fibbie and Ercole Ramazzani.

Hiking and cycling around Cerreto D'esi

For active vacation days, the Cammino dei Cappuccini offers several documented points of connection. The sixth stage reaches Cerreto d'Esi through the rural surroundings and gravel roads; after 10 kilometers, Cerreto d'Esi is a stop on this stage. Hikers can interrupt their tour in Cerreto d'Esi and Albacina and visit both towns. The cycling variant of the Cammino dei Cappuccini includes a stage from Pascellupo to Cerreto d'Esi. In addition, the cycling loop from Cerreto d'Esi can be connected to the Ciclovia dell'Esino. The different routes and stages help you set the desired focus of your travel planning between local history, walking and cycling.

Wine, cuisine and festivals

Località La Venza is a rural area in the hills of Cerreto d'Esi, with vineyards and agricultural landscapes typical of the Verdicchio region. The Festa dell'Uva is a special event: it takes place every year around the third Sunday in September and lasts four days. Since 2023, it has included a barrel race on a route outside the walls of the Castello di Cerreto d'Esi. During the festival, the Cantine set up along the walls outside the Castello serve typical dishes and products from the local cuisine, including Penciarelle, Verdicchio and sweet Ciambelline. The Belisario Festival complements the events calendar with free events, live music, street food, children's shows and comedy. In La Venza, the story of an English Halifax aircraft also recalls the Second World War: the aircraft crashed there while taking part in missions to supply the partisans.

The right accommodation for your travel plans

Whether you choose a holiday apartment or a holiday home can depend on your preferred daily rhythm: the Castello brings together historic highlights and the medieval tour, while La Venza represents the rural landscape, vineyards and regional themes. For a trip focused on hiking, the stages of the Cammino dei Cappuccini are relevant; cyclists can also include the connection to the Ciclovia dell'Esino. This allows you to explore Cerreto D'esi as a base for culture, activity and local traditions in a way that suits your own interests.

Discover more places

If you are planning your trip beyond Cerreto D'esi, you can also visit Filottrano, Montesicuro, Castelplanio, Maiolati Spontini, Ostra Vetere, Colleaprico, Monsano and Castelfidardo.

To the higher-level travel overview: Ancona.