Attractions and Places To See around Falconara Marittima - Top 20

The Church of Santa Maria della Piazza is an example of particular significance both for its architectural value and for its testimonial value regarding the origins of Christianity in the city of Ancona. Built at the end of the 12th century on the remains of the church dedicated to Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr whose relic is preserved in the Diocesan Museum, it represents the historical continuity of the Christian religion expressed through the monuments that have come down to us and is at the same time a document of the evolving history of the city. The Church is a jewel of Romanesque architecture: it has a rectangular plan, a Latin cross layout, and is divided into three naves. The bell tower originally had a strategic function, being a tower attached to the fortification that connected to the hill behind. The richly ornamented portal strikes with the movement and fine interweaving of the small arches and pilasters. After the consolidation work initiated following the earthquake of 1972, it seems possible to connect the history of this church to the most ancient memories of Christian worship in Ancona between the 2nd and 4th centuries, identifying its title with that of the very ancient basilica dedicated to the protomartyr Stephen, built on the ruins of imperial buildings from the Trajanic era.

Municipal seat of the city until 1947, and from 2007 to the present day, the Palazzo degli Anziani is located in Piazza Benvenuto Stracca. It boasts very ancient origins, dating back to 425 AD, as the seat of the Roman imperial administration. This first building was seriously damaged in 839 during the Saracen invasion. The current building was erected in Gothic style in 1270, based on a design by Margaritone d'Arezzo. Built on a very steep slope, it has a rather particular architectural structure, leaning against the slope and originally having six floors towards the port and only three towards the hill. It has two main facades, one western, facing the sea, and the other eastern, facing the square in front. While the facade towards the port largely retains its original form, the upper one, which was entirely made of Conero limestone, was modified during the 17th century. During the terrible fire of 1348, which destroyed large areas of the city, the Palace was seriously compromised. With the papal rule, recovery work was finally carried out to readapt it as the seat of the city administration. After repairing the damage from World War II, the palace first became the seat of the Civic Art Gallery, then the seat of the Faculty of Economics and Commerce of the University of Ancona. After the completion of the latest interior renovations, on November 21, 2011, the city council returned to meet again within the ancient palace.

The Cathedral of Ancona, dedicated to Saint Cyriacus, is the metropolitan cathedral of the Archdiocese of Ancona-Osimo. It is a medieval church blending Romanesque and Byzantine styles, evident in its Greek cross plan and in the many works of art housed within. It stands in a scenic location atop Colle Guasco, formerly occupied by the acropolis of the Greco-Doric city, overlooking the entire city of Ancona and its gulf. It was designated a basilica in May 1926 by Pope Pius XI, and has been a national monument since 1940. Inside is the painting of Our Lady Queen of All Saints, the subject of an event considered "miraculous" by Catholic tradition, known as the Marian Miracle of Saint Cyriacus. The building has a history of over 2,000 years, during which five major events can be distinguished: - 4th-2nd century BC - Construction of the Temple of Aphrodite, whose perimeter corresponds exactly to the transept and the left wing of the current church; - 6th century AD - Construction of the early Christian Basilica of San Lorenzo, built on the ruins of the ancient temple; - 11th century AD - The Basilica of San Lorenzo became a cathedral and was expanded. With the translation of the body of Saint Cyriacus, it changed its name and took on its current title; - 12th century AD - Transformation of the plan into a Greek cross, giving the church an oriental layout, its main characteristic. - 13th century AD - Construction of the dome and porch, interventions that gave the building its current appearance.

Great places you must see

A must-see place

Beautiful view of the Ancona hills and the port

Definitely worth a visit

Church with a stunning facade and interiors that are worth a visit