Civitanova Marche: Where the Adriatic Meets Italian Elegance
Photo by Adriano Gasparri, Flickr
Located along the eastern coast of Italy in the Marche region, Civitanova Marche is a vibrant seaside town that blends modern living with traditional charm. With its long beaches, bustling port, elegant shopping streets, and rich cultural life, Civitanova offers both relaxation and discovery—without the overwhelming crowds of more tourist-heavy destinations.
A Town of Two Souls: Alta and Bassa
Civitanova is uniquely divided into two main areas:Civitanova Alta (Upper Civitanova): This is the historical heart of the town, perched on a hill just a few kilometers inland.
Photo credit: Paula Castelli
Enclosed by medieval walls, Civitanova Alta offers cobbled streets, panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea and Sibillini Mountains, and a slower, more reflective atmosphere. Civitanova Marche Alta is an ancient medieval village surrounded by castle walls with four access gates built by the Sforza family in the 15th century, one of which include the Porta Marina gate
Photo credit: Michele Camerlengo, Flickr
In the heart of Civitanova Alta are the Annibal Caro Theater , the Moretti Municipal Art Gallery , the former Church of Sant'Agostino , the Art Nouveau Tram Station , the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions and the Historical Trotting Museum .
Teatro Annibal Caro
The theatre is named after Annibal Caro , an illustrious man of letters from Civitanova (1507-1566) who translated Virgil's Aeneid, and was built in 1872 by the engineer Guglielmo Prosperi from Macerata. The entrance is embellished with a beautiful Renaissance portal in white stone, finely decorated. The interior is the classic Italian theatre, that is, horseshoe-shaped with two tiers of boxes and a gallery.
Also in Piazza della Libertà is the church of San Paolo,
Photo credit: amarche.it
which has a single nave and preserves some significant paintings such as the Nativity of Mary from 1561, by the painter Andrea Briotti; a Crucifixion by Durante Nobili from Caldarola from the 16th century.Civitanova Alta has quaint piazzas and cobbled streets, where locals gather for evening strolls
Civitanova Bassa (Lower Civitanova): Also known as Civitanova Porto, this area lies along the coast
and represents the town’s modern, lively character.
Civitanova Bassa is characterised by many clubs , shops and the atmosphere is more modern and trendy.
Here you’ll find the beach promenade, trendy cafes, designer shops, and a working fishing port.
The neoclassical palace is embellished with Renaissance and neoclassical motifs. Today it is the seat of the Municipality of Civitanova Marche and of the Rossini cinema-theatre , where throughout the year you can see major national film and theatre screenings.
The elegant Art Nouveau buildings of the Lido Cluana and an enormous reinforced concrete arch, called the Varco sul Mare , an arena used on summer evenings for shows and events.
Photo credit: amarche.it
A few meters away, the 8 km long beach opens up before us in all its beauty and walking along the seashore among the palm trees and the rustling of the waves is the perfect conclusion to this beautiful day in Civitanova Marche!
For lovers of the sea and sun, Civitanova Marche is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the Marche region not to be missed, thanks to the large mixed beach, many clubs, bathing establishments and services.
The marina is a hub of activity, and the palm-lined Lungomare Piermanni is perfect for a seaside walk or bike ride.
