Treia, the millenary village in the heart of the Marche

The village of Treia dates back to the Roman Republic and stands along the ancient Via Flaminia.

Its name derives from the deity Trea-Jana, and it was restored to the village in 1790 by Pope Pius VI, who also granted it the title of city.

Discover Treia: what to see in the village

Treia, a village in the Marche with 25 centuries of history, was described by Dolores Prato as a place that has “shattered its history,” whose fragments still resonate in the present. The historic center is a weave of medieval walls, Lombard towers, Renaissance and Neoclassical palaces, culminating in the scenic Piazza della Repubblica, with the monument to Pope Pius VI “suspended in the air.”

Among its architectural jewels are the Neoclassical building by Valadier, the Town Hall, the Church of San Filippo, and works by Varlé. The churches preserve artistic treasures: San Michele, Romanesque, faces Santa Chiara, Baroque, with the legendary Madonna of Loreto. The cathedral by Andrea Vici houses works by Pagani, Giacomo da Recanati, and a bust of Sixtus V. From Porta Vallesacco, one reaches the Sanctuary of the Holy Crucifix, where the sculpted Christ reveals, according to some, the hand of Donatello.

In the surroundings, the casa di terra in Contrada Fontevannazza, built of raw earth and straw, represents a rare example of 19th-century rural architecture, restored between 2003 and 2006, a testimony to a simple yet meaningful past.

Events and traditions

Treia hosts numerous cultural and traditional events throughout the year. The Disfida del Bracciale, held every first Sunday of August, celebrates the 19th-century ball game with the wooden bracelet. The Festival of Saint Patrick, on March 17, honors the patron saint with cultural and food-and-wine events. The Sagra del Calcione, between May and June, celebrates the local specialty, the Calcione, served in various versions. The Magnalonga on May 1 offers a food and wine itinerary through the hills. Fermento is the craft beer festival with street food, music, and street artists in the historic center.

In 2022, Treia hosted Wonder Italy, an event dedicated to the most beautiful villages of Italy. Finally, the Dolores Prato Literary Festival celebrates the local writer on the 130th anniversary of her birth, remembered for the novel Giù la piazza non c’è nessuno (“Down the square there is no one”).

What to see around Treia

In the surroundings of Treia, several historical and cultural attractions can be discovered. The Sanctuary of the Holy Crucifix, built on the site of ancient Roman Trea, houses a legendary Crucifix attributed either to an angel or to Donatello, known for the different expressions the face of Christ seems to take depending on the viewpoint. A short distance away is Porta Vallesacco, a 13th-century national monument linked to a historic local battle.

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Cover photo credits: Treia Musei