Discover Pergola and the Cesano Valley through a guided tour blending art, archaeology, and fortifications. From the famous Museum of the Gilded Bronzes in Pergola, we travel toward the inland hills to explore the Castles of Arcevia, including Loretello and Nidastore. An ideal itinerary for those seeking excursions through historic town centers and the natural beauty of the valley.
PERGOLA GUIDED TOUR AND THE MUSEUM OF THE GILDED BRONZES
Pergola, nestled along the upper Cesano Valley, is known as the “pergoletta santa” (“holy little Pergola”) for the extraordinary number of religious buildings and monasteries gracing its historic center. A city rich in history, it is traditionally tied to manufacturing traditions such as the art of dyers and sulfur mining in nearby Cabernardi. During the guided tour, we will explore the famous Museum of the Gilded Bronzes and Civic Art Gallery (Museo dei Bronzi Dorati e della Pinacoteca Civica), which houses the only group of gilded bronzes from the Roman era to survive intact from antiquity, along with significant paintings by artists from the Marche region, including works by Gaetano Lapis. We will visit the historic center with its plazas and fine churches, such as the Church of San Francesco, the Church of Santa Maria delle Tinte, and the evocative Chapel of the Magi (Cappella dei Re Magi). We will also take a look at local food and wine traditions, including the typical sour cherry wine (vino di visciole) and cioccovisciole (sour cherry chocolates).
THE CASTLES OF ARCEVIA
In the hilly territory stretching between the Cesano Valley and the Misa Valley lies the network of the Castles of Arcevia. Our tour begins in the historic center of Arcevia and at the State Archaeological Museum, which preserves precious artifacts from the Senone Gauls. From here, we continue toward the castles—small gems such as Loretello, famous for its three-arched entrance bridge, and Nidastore.