Cingoli, the rocky village overlooking Mount Circe

Cingoli, among the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, owes its name to the Latin cingulum, meaning “rocky ledge,” for its dominant position on Mount Circe. Inhabited since the 9th century BC by the Piceni, the village was founded as Cingulum in the 3rd century BC. Restored by Titus Labienus in 60 BC, it became a municipium of the Velina tribe in the Augustan age. After devastation by the Goths and Lombards, in the 12th century Cingoli became a free commune, flourishing in arts and trade. The 16th century marked a period of urban and economic development, culminating in the 18th century with the construction of Baroque churches and palaces. In 1829, Francesco Saverio Castiglioni of Cingoli became Pope Pius VIII. Since 1861, Cingoli has been part of the Kingdom of Italy.

The beauties of the village

Walking through the historic center of Cingoli, one is immediately struck by the warm colors of the plaster alternating with the elegance of Renaissance stone portals. The atmosphere is made even more evocative by the limitation of traffic, which invites calm and observation. From a panoramic terrace on the medieval walls, it becomes clear why Cingoli is called the “Balcony of the Marche”: the view embraces the Marche region, reaching as far as the Adriatic Sea and, on clear days, the mountains of Dalmatia.

The heart of the village is Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, with the Town Hall and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Inside the Town Hall one can admire Lorenzo Lotto’s Madonna of the Rosary. Continuing on, you encounter Palazzo Conti, the Church of San Filippo Neri, San Domenico, the Monastery of San Benedetto, and Palazzo Puccetti. Descending towards the Portella, there is a view of the Tassinete woodland.

Along Via Maggiore stand out Palazzo Castiglioni, birthplace of Pope Pius VIII, and the Fontana di Maltempo, linked to Renaissance hermeticism. Outside the walls, the Collegiate Church of Sant’Esuperanzio, a Romanesque masterpiece, and the Sanctuary of Santa Sperandia, which preserves the saint’s body, are well worth a visit.

Events in the village

Cingoli comes alive throughout the year with events that combine tradition, sport, and gastronomy. On January 6, celebrations open with the Epiphany and the Supertombolone. In April, cyclists from all over Italy take part in the 9 Fossi Mountain-bike Race. In July, the village is enlivened by the Harvest and Folklore Festival and the Historical Reenactment. Mid-August is dedicated to taste with the Cingoli Street Food Festival, followed on August 16–17 by Calici dal Balcone. In October, the scents of autumn envelop the village with Tesori del Bosco. Finally, during the Immaculate Conception holiday, the sweet Sagra del Cavalluccio is celebrated.

Photo credits:  stefano cellai