GIVI Magazine - November de 2010 - EN

12 turism Text and photographs by Michele Losito and Rossella Rosciano The Great Road of the Monti Sibillini A breathtaking panorama in a journey winding through the mountains straddling the border between Umbria and the Marche, offering glimpses of the Adriatic coast and plains dotted by ancient medieval villages. Reaching the Monti Sibillini National Park is relatively easy. From the north, exit the A1 motorway at Civitanova Mar- che. Le Marche are an off-the-beaten-track destination for many, and in fact represent one of the favourite destina- tions for foreign visitors, as here unparalleled natural be- auty co-exists with tranquillity and it’s never crowded in high season. From the Adriatic coast, make a decisive turn inland, ta- king the trunk road S.S. 77, which rapidly brings you to the foot of the Monti Azzurri and to the first leg of this journey: the town of San Ginesio. With its well preserved bounda- ry walls and the delightful historic town centre, this small town, aptly named the Balcony of the Sibillini, is an appe- tizer of what you can expect on the journey through the provinces of Macerata and Ascoli Piceno, full of stunning scenery and with a story to tell. San Ginesio is a proud lively town, which allures tourists using the stories of its past relationship to the Knights Templar, vestigial traces of which are still visible and appe- ar in the accounts of local historic researchers. The town is also artistically representative, due to the prestige of the works on show in its churches and in the gothic Collegiata, or in the small municipal Art Museum, but only when you continue along the trunk road S.S. 77, do you reach the real pearl of the Marche: the Monti Sibillini National Park. The name originates from the myth of the Sybil, the virgin prophetess, who as legend claims, sought refuge in these mountains, thus lending her name to one of the highest summits of the mountain range. Today the myth is kept alive in Montemonaco by the Museum dedicated to her, whilst the Park offers many other locations not to be mis- sed, which can easily be reached using the numerous “ro- utes” marked on the maps of the area. The Great Road This name identifies an itinerary, which winds it way around the perimeter of the park, linking some of the most fasci- nating places. The route totals some 200 kilometres, which can be covered in a single day, if you wish - or need - a true feast of curves. If, instead, you can match your pace to the calm rhythm of this territory, then a better idea would be to allow yourself to be lead along the various routes which, when combined, make up the Great Road. Arriving from the North, you can decide in which direction you want to tour: going west towards Lake Piastra and then continuing south, or heading south, straight towards Ascoli Piceno, and then travelling clockwise coming back up the western edge. The Fiastrone and Guaite itineraries are the first rou- tes on the Great Road.