Grottammare: art, history and orange scents on the Adriatic

Directly overlooking the Adriatic Riviera, Grottammare is a small town whose origins date back thousands of years to the Picenian age and which took shape in the Middle Ages around the fortified nucleus lying on the hill, still dominated by the remains of the fortress and a system of walls that recounts centuries of defence and port-related trade. The heart of the old town is a succession of shady alleys and panoramic views that preserve precious testimonies such as the church of San Giovanni Battista and the 16th-century basilica of Santa Lucia, commissioned by Pope Sixtus V, a central figure for the city. The Museo Sistino is also dedicated to him, while a second itinerary leads to the discovery of the works of local sculptor Pericle Fazzini. Descending towards the Marina, the town's brighter face opens up, with its tree-lined promenade dotted with palm trees, orange gardens (one of the local gastronomic delicacies is the Piceno Blonde Orange) and Art Nouveau villas that recall the splendour of the Belle Époque (Franz Liszt, Hungarian composer and pianist of the Romantic period, stayed in Grottammare) and invite you to strolls overlooking the sea amidst early 20th century architecture.