Fermo

Just 7 kilometres from the Adriatic sea, in a stunning location in the foothills separating the Eta Vivo and Tenna valleys, the city of Fermo extends over a steep hillside dominated by the Cathedral. Visitors are entranced by the amazing panoramicviews of the sea, from the scenic vistas along the roads and from the Girfalco hill to the unexpected glimpses between the rooftops.

Capture the real charm and beauty of Fermo by taking a stroll through its narrow winding streets - often made entirely of terracotta, a legacy of the town's Roman and medieval origins - and through the alleys lined with dark shadowy buildings. Or admire the fifteenth-century palaces and Renaissance buildings that have silently witnessed the city's history over the centuries. You can find them in Corso Cavour, Corso Cefalonia and Piazza del Popolo:

the true heart and symbol of Fermo. Piazza del Popolo, which has seen so much of the life of this city over the centuries, is also a beautiful gateway to the Girofalco hill. Overlooking the square are the city's iconic landmarks including the Renaissance-era Palazzo dei Priori, a historic building contains the public art gallery and the Sala del Mappamondo, or Globe Room. It is home to the library's oldest map collections and takes its name from the globe created in 1713 by the cartographer Amanzio Moroncelli from Fabriano. In the city centre you'll also find the Apostolic Palace and the Duomo, with its asymmetric facade made of Istrian stone. Inside, you'll find an impressive collection of artworks, including a 12th-century Greek-Byzantine icon and the remains of the mosaic floor from the 5th-century Paleochristian church on which it was built. The square with its loggia architecture is also used as a market area and meeting point, and is and the perfect place for a relaxing walk through the arcades. The loggia balcony connecting Palazzo dei Priori to Palazzo degli Studi is very beautiful: remember to look upwards as you walk along it, so as not to miss the beautiful frescoed vaults. And if you do happen to be in Fermo on a Thursday evening during the summer, you certainly won't want to miss the antiques and crafts market held in the arcades throughout July and August.