Holiday apartment in Smirra: History and nature at the Burano

Smirra on the Burano and the Via Flaminia

Smirra lies on the old Via Flaminia between Acqualagna and Cagli, on the left bank of the Burano.

River landscape with a geological peculiarity

The Burano valley in the Smirra area features terraced alluvial deposits from the Upper Pleistocene as well as more recent alluvial deposits from the Holocene. Above the bridge at Smirra, the Burano forms a river bend. Willow shrubs grow by the water, while the riverbank is densely covered with trees. The landscape therefore combines visible river structures with a differentiated geological history.

Roman traces and medieval architectural history

In the Caselle-Muracci area of Smirra, remains of walls, opus spicatum floors and a fragment of a column were found; they probably belonged to a Roman villa rustica. On the hill known as Il Casalino, remains are interpreted as a defensive bulwark or tower and are generally dated to the post-classical period.

Villa Fontalba is located on the ancient Via Flaminia. Following an alteration, its former route was incorporated into the garden. The central tower served to defend the ancient Roman bridge and dates from the first half of the 6th century, the period of the Gothic–Greek wars. Smirra is also home to the parish officially designated as Parrocchia San Severo in Smirra.

Mills, bridges and hydraulic engineering

The Smirra water-power facility was built in 1911 and has a 40-metre-long weir on the Burano, consisting partly of masonry and partly of wood. The Mulino di Smirra is a large, segmented stone building that, despite being out of service, has preserved various architectural elements. It is also known as Mulino del Ceppo.

On the outskirts of the settlement, the passage of the Via Flaminia is considered the best-preserved passage in the Marches section of the route. The Ponte di Smirra crosses the Burano at the level of the settlement. Alongside the new reinforced-concrete bridge, two tall limestone pillars from the old bridge have survived.

Routes to Pigno and Monte Martello

The road over the Ponte di Smirra leads towards Pigno and Monte Martello. A road branching off from Smirra towards Pigno leads to the Santuario di Santa Maria delle Stelle in Monte Martello. The sanctuary was built by the municipality of Cagli around a votive shrine in 1495. The Chiesa di San Severo is located near Pigno and Smirra di Cagli and has been restored.

Hiking, exercise and regional events

The Cammino dei Cappuccini has an alternative route that descends to Smirra when the crossing of the Fosso Screbia is impassable. Another route leads from Smirra to the left across the Burano and crosses the stream at an old mill. The Parco Giochi di Smirra on Via Flaminia Nord has featured an outdoor sports area operated and managed by the municipality of Cagli since 20 July 2024.

CorriSmirra took place in Smirra di Cagli in 2019 as the 37th edition and in 2024 and 2025 as the 40th and 41st editions, respectively. In 2025, the 41st edition was advertised as a 10.1-kilometre race.

Further destinations

Other destinations for planning your trip include Calcinelli, San Michele, Rio Salso-Case Bernardi, Cantiano, Canavaccio, Cartoceto, Montecalvo In Foglia and Tranquillo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Pesaro - Urbino.