Cingoli, the 'Borgo dei Borghi 2026': the Balcony of the Marche in the spotlight
2 minutes
Cingoli is the 'Borgo dei Borghi 2026'. The announcement, made on Easter Sunday, 3 April, during the programme Il Borgo dei Borghi broadcast on Rai 3, put the Marche village in the national spotlight. This is a significant achievement, recognising not only the beauty of the place, but also the hard work and dedication of a community that has successfully enhanced its local area over the years. And this is precisely what makes Cingoli different: here, the landscape, history and everyday life coexist in a natural way, without any artifice.
A victory that starts with the community
While on Easter evening, some people were enjoying a rest after a family lunch, some were returning from a walk, and some were already thinking about Easter Monday, in the Marche region, in Cingoli, a village in the province of Macerata, an entire community was gathered in front of the television awaiting the announcement. When the name was announced, excitement erupted. At the Circolo Cittadino, residents, families, young people and associations gathered to celebrate together, turning the occasion into a shared celebration.
It is this dimension, made up of relationships and a sense of belonging, that gives value to the recognition. The title not only tells the story of a place, but also of the way it is experienced every day, thanks to the commitment of those who live there and care for it. And when you arrive, you feel this sensation straight away: you don't have to look for it – it's part of the atmosphere.
Why Cingoli?
Each year, the title of 'Borgo dei Borghi' (Village of Villages) is awarded to a different community. In Cingoli's case, what stands out is its balance. No single element dominates the others: the landscape, the historic centre and everyday life coexist effortlessly. You move naturally from the open spaces of the viewpoints, which have earned the town the name 'Balcony of the Marche', to the more secluded streets of the centre, where the pace changes and everything becomes more intimate. It is this continuity, rather than any single element, that makes the village distinctive. This balance can be felt as you walk through the town, and it explains why Cingoli was chosen as an example of the most authentic Italy.
An opportunity to discover it now
This recognition puts the town in the spotlight, but it does not change its essence. Take this opportunity to discover Cingoli at your own pace.
Start from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, the heart of the town's life, and let yourself be guided through the alleys and viewpoints. In the historic centre, a succession of churches and palaces bear witness to different eras: from the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta to the Church of San Domenico, via the Churches of San Filippo Neri and San Niccolò. Then enter the Palazzo Comunale and pause in the Sala degli Stemmi to admire the Madonna del Rosario by Lorenzo Lotto, originally painted for the Church of San Domenico itself. Beyond the city walls, your route continues to the Collegiate Church of Sant'Euperanzio, not far from the centre.
And if you still have time, you only need to travel a short distance to experience a change of scenery: Lake Castreccioni, with its open, tranquil spaces, is the ideal place to slow down. The title 'Borgo dei Borghi' (Village of Villages) thus becomes a starting point: not just an award to celebrate, but an invitation to discover Cingoli at its own pace. The 'Balcony of the Marche' has captivated Italy. Now it's your turn to take in the view.
