Mondolfo, discovering the painted village in the Marche

by letygoeson10, May, 2022Italy, Marche

Discovering the painted village of Mondolfo and its Galleria Senza Soffitto. A journey through hills, sea and unusual gastronomy and one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy” in the Marche region.

Mondolfo is a village of great charm and is already part of the Borghi più belli d’Italia network.

It has recently been enriched with the project “Galleria Senza Soffitto” (gallery without ceiling), a permanent urban art exhibition, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and constantly growing, which will be enriched over time across the entire surface of the village.

You will love this little painted village of the Marche!

Nestled in the heart of the Marche region, just a stone’s throw from the charming coastal town of Fano, Mondolfo is a tiny, hidden village that offers an unparalleled glimpse of beauty.

Maybe it was its cobbled streets, or the breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, or the fact that the village was practically empty that Sunday, but Mondolfo has remained in my memory as an enchanted place, embellished and contrasted in a sublime way by the contemporary art exhibited everywhere!

COSA TROVERAI IN QUESTO POST:

The Village of Mondolfo

Mondolfo is an ancient village where, according to historical reconstructions, the imposing castle dominating the town’s streets was built around the year 1000. Perched on a hill to guard against potential incursions by marauders and pirates, the Castle of Mondolfo takes me back in time to the raids of the Saracens, who often dropped anchor in these fertile lands of the Marche with no shortage of plundering ambitions.

As soon as I arrived in Mondolfo, I happily lost myself in the charming streets of the village, composed of cobblestones and narrow alleys winding through a succession of historic buildings and houses with the characteristic architecture of this region.

Once I climb up to the town square I can see the Town Hall and the Civic Tower, both rebuilt in 1930 following an earthquake that undermined their foundations.

“Galleria Senza Soffitto” Project

I continue my exploration of the village of Mondolfo, heading toward the “Largo Neviera” Gardens, when I suddenly spot some curious frames hanging on the walls, along with a series of street art and urban installations.

Pleasantly surprised by this maze of photographs framed and mounted on the village walls, and particularly struck by a painted artwork adorning a staircase that looks like a piano, I find myself in the heart of the famous “Open-Air Gallery.”

“Galleria Senza Soffitto” (literally translated: Gallery without a roof) is a permanent urban art and street art project by artists such as the photographer Mario Giacomelli, the tattoo artist performer Loreprod or Luisa Fuligni, Simone Travaglini, Matteo Pignataro and other Italian and international street artists.

Floating heads on a square overlooking the panorama, piano-staircases and the contemporary Vitruvian man are worth the visit in this open-air art gallery.

But you will realize, that you can never get enough of these works all different, colorful and surprising.
I am sure that you will go on a treasure hunt to find each of these art forms hidden behind a corner here or an alley there.

Eating in Mondolfo: L’Osteria del Presidente

Even though L’Osteria del Presidente was a forced choice that Saturday in Mondolfo, as it was the only place open near the beautiful painted village, we couldn’t have asked for anything better!

First of all, Luca welcomes us with a big smile. The place is small, has few tables and the menu is not very extensive but personally I don’t mind, in fact, I find this a positive characteristic: it’s better to focus on dishes that are well prepared rather than on a too varied choice.

Two nice generous portions.
Unfortunately, after the first courses we were already full, otherwise there would have been several cuts of meat available to grill. Too bad, maybe next time!

The time for the bill arrives, accompanied by a very good sour cherry wine of our own production. So good that we took a bottle home!
Very low price. We will definitely be back, Luca and his cuisine have won us over!

Marotta

After lunch, I hop in the car and head to the coast to explore a different side of the area near Mondolfo: the nearby town of Marotta. This little seaside village is nicknamed “the Berlin of the Adriatic” because of its unusual administrative division among three municipalities. However, the atmosphere here is far more relaxed, with the warm, welcoming air of the sea. The distance between Mondolfo and Marotta is so short that many people walk it or take public transport.

Marotta is a warm and vibrant town, dotted with beautiful, colorful mosaics along the promenade. At the same time, it’s romantic and evocative, the kind of place that inspired Enrico Ruggeri to write his famous song “Il Mare d’Inverno” (“The Winter Sea”), brilliantly performed by the iconic Loredana Bertè.

Il mare d’inverno
È un concetto che il pensiero non considera
È poco moderno
È qualcosa che nessuno mai desidera….

Loredana Bertè

Around Mondolfo-Marotta

Not far from Mondolfo, you can visit the lively town of Fano, where you can enjoy a perfect blend of seaside relaxation, rich history, and outstanding gastronomy, thanks to its fantastic restaurants!

Are you a fan of painted village? Have you already explored Saludecio or Borgo San Giuliano in Rimini?