Corinaldo, a spectacle of 15th-century walls and stairways

A town in the province of Ancona, located inland between the Misa and Cesano rivers and about 15-20 km from Senigallia, Corinaldo is included in the circuit of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italia" thanks to its famous 15th-century walls, more than a kilometre long and perfectly preserved, once an imposing defence system and today a bulwark that defines the visual identity of the town and accompanies its urban development, offering a view that sweeps over the hills of the Marche region as far as the sea. The historic centre is articulated in a succession of alleys, stairways, squares, towers and bastions, where every element contributes to creating glimpses that turn into an evocative stage for events and cultural initiatives scheduled throughout the year. There are so many things to see, starting with the 'Piaggia', a ramp of over one hundred steps that acts as the cornerstone of Corinaldo's mediaeval urban structure. There is also the "Pozzo della Polenta" (Polenta Well), rebuilt in the 1980s in memory of the ancient well used until the end of the 19th century, now a tourist attraction and a scenic backdrop for the historical re-enactment of the Contesa of the same name. The late 18th-century neoclassical Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), the 15th-century House, the oldest dwelling in the village, the 18th-century Collegiate Church of St. Francis with the fountain at which the young Santa Maria Goretti was baptised, and the Sanctuary that bears her name, also dating from the 18th century, are worth a visit.