Via XXIX Settembre, 60122 Ancona, Italy (May 2019)

Ancona

Ancona is a vibrant port city located on the Adriatic coast of the Marche region in central Italy. It stands as both the regional capital and a significant maritime gateway that connects Italy with countries across the Adriatic Sea, such as Greece, Croatia, and Albania. With a history that stretches back more than two thousand years, Ancona is a place where the past and present coexist harmoniously, creating a city rich in culture, art, and tradition.

The origins of Ancona date to around the 4th century BC, when it was founded by Greek settlers from Syracuse. They named it “Ankon,” meaning “elbow,” because of the unique shape of the coastline that bends like an arm around its natural harbour. This strategic position soon made Ancona an important port in the ancient world, attracting traders, sailors, and later the Romans, who expanded and fortified the city. Traces of this long history can still be seen today in its Roman ruins, medieval churches, and Renaissance architecture.

Modern Ancona blends its historical heritage with a dynamic, contemporary atmosphere. The city’s port remains one of the busiest in Italy, serving as a major hub for passenger ferries and commercial trade. Yet beyond its industrial activity, Ancona offers a charming and authentic Italian experience, less crowded than the more famous tourist destinations. Its historic centre, perched on the slopes of Monte Guasco, invites visitors to explore winding streets, hidden courtyards, and panoramic viewpoints that open onto the Adriatic Sea.

One of the city’s most striking landmarks is the Cathedral of San Ciriaco, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture that dominates the skyline from its hilltop position. Nearby, the Arch of Trajan, built in the second century AD, stands as a reminder of Ancona’s imperial past and its importance to the Roman Empire. The Mole Vanvitelliana, a pentagonal fortress built in the eighteenth century, now serves as a cultural centre that hosts exhibitions, concerts, and festivals throughout the year.

Ancona is also a gateway to the natural beauty of the Conero Riviera, a stretch of coastline known for its white cliffs, turquoise waters, and hidden coves. This combination of sea, history, and culture gives Ancona a distinct character that captures the essence of the Italian Adriatic. Whether arriving by sea or exploring from land, visitors to Ancona encounter a city that is both ancient and alive, proud of its heritage yet open to the future.

Worth a Visit

Photo Gallery of Walk 1 – Via Flaminia to Piazza Camillo Benso di Cavour
Approximately 2.65 km – 1.65 miles

The walk starts in – Via Flaminia – Via Guglielmo Marconi – Via XXIX Settembre – Via dell’Appannaggio – Piazza della Repubblica – Largo Sacramento – Parrocchia Del Sacramento, Piazza J. F. Kennedy – Via Enrico Cialdini – Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi – Via Giacomo Leopardi – Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi – Piazza Roma – Fontana del Calamo, Piazza Roma – Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi – Via Castelfidardo – Giardino Pubblico Piazza Stamira – Via Palestro – walk back to Corso Giuseppe Garibald – Piazza Camillo Benso di Cavour

Photo Gallery of Walk 2 – Via Indipendenza to Piazzale del Duomo
Approximately 1.65 km – 1.04 miles

The walk starts in – Via Indipendenza – Caserma Villarey, Piazzale Martelli Raffaele – Via Villarey -Via Goito – Via delle Cavorchie – Via Giacomo Matteotti – Piazza del Plebiscito – Chiesa di San Domenico, Piazza del Plebiscito – Piazza del Plebiscito – Via Catena – Chiesa di Santa Maria della Piazza, Piazza Santa Maria – Lungomare Luigi Vanvitelli – take lift up to Via Gabriele Ferretti – Scalone Nappi – Piazzale del