GIVI Magazine - November de 2010 - EN

14 ARTISTS & MASTERPIECES MEALS AND ACCOMMODATION The Marche region, as the inhabi- tants explain, represents the whole of Italy in a single region: churches, artists, fortresses, art museums, legends, “ideal cities”; this is the region that gave birthplace to Raffaello Sanzio, and played host to Carlo Crivelli, Gentile da Fabriano and numerous others... The Marche Region, in the territory between Macerata and Ascoli Pi- ceno, has been a discovery for us. Each city and town has its own art gallery, of varying sizes, displaying the works of art of authentic ma- sters: San Ginesio hosts works by Zuccari, Crivelli, Ghirlandaio and a canvas attributed to the Caravaggio school; Sarnano displays a Vittore Crivelli and in Ascoli Piceno, you can observe a polyptych altarpiece by Carlo Crivelli in the Cathedral of Sant’Emidio. And the list just goes on; each town has its own artistic treasure. If you visit this region, you can’t miss Tolentino and the Augustinian Friars cloister with the so called “Cappellone”; a gothic chapel, internally decorated by fresco cycles: a masterpiece of great artistic value. The frescoes were probably painted in the period 1335-1345, and no documents exist regarding the author and the school; for centuries critics have debated the real name of the Tolentino Ma- ster which is currently attributed to Pietro da Rimini. For further information consult the Augustinian Friars at http://www.san - nicoladatolentino.it/ LOCAL CUISINE AND WINES Laying on the border between Marche and Umbria, the Sibillini National Park is a crossroads of ancient food and wine traditions. We stayed in places where hospi- tality is sacrosanct, so here are our recommendations: SAN FABIANO COUNTRY RE- STAURANT - In the Necciano Contrada lane at n. 22 (San Ginesio), a welcoming structure, a limited number of tables and Gianni in the kitchen preparing hundreds of delicacies, typical of the Marche- tel 0733656832---3338748954 - info@sanginesio.info OSTERIA SAN NICOLA - A tavern with typical cuisine, warm atmo- sphere and gluten-free pizzas. Perfect! Via Flaminia, 6 - Tel. +39 073396.74.48 - Tolentino (MC) info@osteriasannicola.it AL NAVIGANTE - Fraz. Nocelleto - 62039 Castelsantangelo Sul Nera (MC) - Tel: +390737 98.106 - 0737 98.124 - www.dalnavigante.it LA MARCHIGIANA - Hotel Re- staurant “La Marchigiana” - Via Campa- notico, 62028 Sarnano (MC) - Tel: +39 073365.73.14 - info@la- marchigiana.it WHERE TO STAY Big smiles all round... that’s how the population in the Marche wel- comed us, an increasingly rare type of hospitality, catering to every needs of their guests... So we feel confident in recommending: HOTEL LA MARCHIGIANA - See above COUNTRY HOUSE “MOMA” - A tasteful renovation of an old stone country house, complete with 4 wonderful rooms with large fire- places and wooden ceiling beams. Moma - Via Colle 39 - Pian Di Pieca (San Ginesio) - 62026 - MC - Tel. +39 337 64.95.35 or +39 336 82.61.39 - mmlucarini@alice.it AGRITURISMO IL CASTAGNETO - Albina was a true discovery! Her rural guest house perched above Ascoli Piceno is off the beaten track, but if you want authentic and delicious cuisine from the Marche, you must make a visit. Località Colle 71 (San Marco) - Ascoli Piceno - Tel. +39 0736 31.91.00 The Sibillini Mountains have al- ways been cloaked in an aura of mystery... and that’s how the tales and legends became famous all over Europe, so much so that for centuries the Sibilla summit was a popular destination of knights, magicians and necromancers all united in the desire to meet the prophetess who lived in the famous Sibilla cavern. Here are some of the most my- sterious sites: GOLUBRO GORGE - A long time ago, the road leading to the Golubro gorge was called “Balleria”, a place where the fairies of the nearby Sibilla cavern came to dance. The old mountain dwellers told of an evening in which the fairies asked Queen Sibilla permission to attend a ball during the night which was to take place in the Infernaccio LEGENDS AND TALES Tolentino. The Clock Tower in Piazza della Libertà and the Cloister of the San Nicola Basilica. The Infernaccio Gorge with a crystalline, ice cold waterfall.