Holiday apartment in Offida: discover culture, history and culinary delights

Culture and lively events in Offida

The Teatro Serpente Aureo is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "The system of Italian theatres based on the box-seat model in central Italy between the 18th and 19th centuries". At the same time, the theatre continues to serve as a venue for theatre seasons, concerts and Offida’s traditional carnival. Santa Maria della Rocca was built in 1330 on the foundations of a Lombard fortress, making it one of the town’s notable historic religious buildings.

The crypt of Santa Maria della Rocca preserves frescoes from the 14th century. Many of these frescoes are attributed to the Maestro di Offida. A visit to this site therefore takes you directly from medieval architectural history to significant examples of religious art.

Museums between lace art and archaeology

The Polo Museale is housed in an 18th-century aristocratic palace. The palace formerly belonged to the Castellotti family and later to De Castellotti. The Polo Museale comprises the Museo delle Tradizioni Popolari, the Pinacoteca Civica, the Museo del Merletto a Tombolo and the Museo Archeologico G. Allevi.

The Museo del merletto a tombolo opened in 1998 and is divided into seven rooms according to lace-making techniques and uses. The museum also contains a dress worn by Naomi Campbell in London in 1997. It was designed by Antonio Berardi and made by lace-makers from Offida. This creates a link between the local bobbin-lace tradition and an internationally renowned garment.

The Museo Archeologico G. Allevi displays finds from the Picenian, Roman and Lombard cultures in five rooms. The first room is dedicated to the life and research of Guglielmo Allevi. In the second room, you can see prehistoric finds from the Middle Palaeolithic, Late Neolithic and Bronze Age. The third and fourth rooms cover the Picenian culture with bronzes, weapons, jewellery and pottery; the fifth room is dedicated to Roman and Lombard relics.

The Museo Aldo Sergiacomi is located in the former workshops of the sculptor Aldo Sergiacomi, who came from Offida, and preserves numerous examples of his works and drawings. The Monumento alle Merlettaie, created by Aldo Sergiacomi in 1983, depicts three women working on bobbin lace.

Historical traces and religious sites

The Mura castellane of Offida were built between the 12th and 13th centuries and once enclosed the entire village. Their historical significance is complemented by the Santuario Diocesano del Miracolo Eucaristico with its adjoining chapel in the former Augustinian monastery. This building was constructed between 1338 and 1441.

In the Santuario Diocesano del Miracolo Eucaristico, the remains of a Eucharistic miracle that occurred in 1273 in Lanciano, Abruzzo, are kept at the end of the apse in a niche protected by an iron grille and two 15th-century walnut doors. The site is thus connected with a specific religious tradition and several historical layers.

The Chiesa di San Lazzaro is situated in an impressive rural landscape and embodies traditional rural architecture. For planning your trip, this site offers a different way of experiencing Offida than the museums and buildings in the historic town centre: here, the focus is on the connection between religious architecture and a rural character.

Wine, oil and specialties from Offida

At the showroom of the Ciù Ciù agricultural company at Piazza del Popolo 20 in Offida, you can enjoy wine and oil tastings by reservation and purchase wine and oil. Typical sweet specialties include Offida’s "funghetti", a confectionery made with anise. At the Sagra del Chichiripieno, organised by the Pro Loco di Offida, you can taste the famous filled pizza and other culinary specialties.

Choose a holiday apartment in Offida according to your interests

The town’s different facets can help you determine the right type of accommodation for your stay. If culture and history are your priorities, the Teatro Serpente Aureo, Santa Maria della Rocca, the Polo Museale and the museums covering lace art, archaeology and sculpture provide the main points of interest. If you are more interested in rural architectural forms, the Chiesa di San Lazzaro is one of the suitable points of reference. For days focused on culinary enjoyment, Ciù Ciù, the funghetti and the Sagra del Chichiripieno offer specific opportunities to discover Offida gastronomically as well. This allows you to choose a holiday apartment in Offida based on the experiences that appeal to you most during your stay.

Other destinations for your selection include San Benedetto Del Tronto, Illice, Pedaso, Cossignano, Rotella, Cupra Marittima, Grottammare and Montemonaco.

For the higher-level travel overview: Ascoli Piceno.