Offagna, a dip in the Middle Ages

Once you leave the car outside the walls, you can easily walk in the city. On the main street of the town, Via dell'Arengo, overlooking a beautiful nineteenth-century triloba window where once stood the Monte di Pietà. The street culminates in a bifurcation that embraces a splendid example of 18th century architecture, the Church of the SS. Sacrament built by Andrea Vici, author also of the convent of the 'Oblate Sisters of the Holy Spirit', today the seat of the monastery of S. Zita.

Offagna boasts one of the most impressive and important forts in the entire region. Typical military garrison, the fifteenth-century fortification, a square plan with 50 stations for bombards, it was erected by the Anconetani to block the expansionist intentions of Osimo. Besides hiding in its walls corridors and secret passages to be discovered, the fortress offers the opportunity to enjoy an enchanting 360-degree panorama, that goes from the sea to the Sibillini. Inside there is an interesting Museum of Ancient Weapons, divided into various sections.

The rooms of the Paolucci Museum house a part of the finds taken from the collections of the distinguished American naturalist scholar (1849-1935), which left important paleontological, mineralogical, zoological and botanical collections, fruit of a whole life of research and study. Through the relocation of the finds, through the seven exhibition halls contact and vision of the diversity and specificity of the natural environments of the Marche region are made, in a mosaic full of visual elements, didactic and scientific studies that recompose the environment of today and the times of Luigi Paolucci.

The best time to visit Offagna is certainly the last week of July, when the medieval festivals are held, where the whole country turns to take a step back in time: cars disappear altogether and leave room for workshops, soldiers, bridesmaids, minstrels that give life to a unique and enchanted atmosphere.