Senigallia
| Senigallia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Comune | ||
| Città di Senigallia | ||
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Top left:Foro Annonario and Rome Square, Top center:Roca Roveresca Fortress, Top right:Night view of Piazzale iberta waterfront area, Middle left:Chiostro delle Grazie, Middle right:Rotonda a Mare, Bottom left:View of sunset in Spiaggia Velluto Beach, Bottom center:View of Senigalla from Scapezza Hill, Bottom right:Portici Ercolani flime misa | ||
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.svg.png) Senigallia within the Province of Ancona | ||
  Senigallia Location of Senigallia in Italy | ||
| Coordinates: 43°43′N 13°13′E / 43.717°N 13.217°ECoordinates: 43°43′N 13°13′E / 43.717°N 13.217°E | ||
| Country | Italy | |
| Region | Marche | |
| Province / Metropolitan city | Ancona (AN) | |
| Frazioni | see list | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Maurizio Mangialardi (Democratic Party) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 115 km2 (44 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 3 m (10 ft) | |
| Population (28 February 2009) | ||
| • Total | 44,498 | |
| • Density | 390/km2 (1,000/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Senigalliesi | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| Postal code | 60019 | |
| Dialing code | 071 | |
| Patron saint | St. Paulinus | |
| Saint day | May 4 | |
| Website | Official website | |
Senigallia (or Sinigaglia in Old Italian) is a comune and port town of the province of Ancona on Italy's Adriatic coast, in the Marche region. The small port is formed by the lower reaches of the Misa, a river which flows through the town between embankments constructed of Istrian marble.
History
The settlement, spread out along the coast at the mouth of the river Misa, was established in the 4th century BC by the Gallic tribe of the Senones. The colony of Sena Gallica was founded there by the Romans after their victory over the Senones, rather before 280 BC. The Latin name is probably a corruption of "Senones"; the addition Gallica ("Gaulish") distinguishes it from Saena (Siena) in Etruria. The place is also mentioned in connection with Hasdrubal's defeat at the Metaurus in 207 BC. Ravaged by Alaric during the decline of the Roman Empire, Senigallia was fortified by the Byzantines, and again laid waste by the Lombards in the 8th century and by the Saracens in the 9th. It was the second easternmost of the five cities of the medieval Adriatic duchy of Pentapolis, east of Fano and west of Ancona.
Senigallia used to hold one of the largest fairs in Italy, which dated originally from 1200, when Sergius, count of Senigallia, received from the count of Marseilles, to whose daughter he was affianced, certain relics of Mary Magdalene; this fair used to be visited by merchants from Europe and the Levant.
In the 15th century it was the scene of the Guelph and Ghibelline wars, captured and recaptured again and again by the Malatesta and their opponents. Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta of Rimini erected strong fortifications round the town in 1450-1455. The lordship of Senigallia was bestowed by Pius II on his nephew Antonio Piccolomini, but the people of the town in 1464 placed themselves anew under Pope Paul II, and Giacomo Piccolomini in 1472 failed in his attempt to seize the place. In 1503, Cesare Borgia carried out a bloody coup at Senigallia, against some of his disloyal supporters. Sixtus IV assigned the lordship to the Della Rovere family, from whom it was transferred to Lorenzo II de Medici in 1516 by his uncle Pope Leo X. After 1624 it formed part of the Papal State's legation (province) of Urbino.
Geography
The municipality borders with Belvedere Ostrense, Mondolfo (PU), Monte San Vito, Montemarciano, Morro d'Alba, Ostra and Trecastelli.[1]
Frazioni
Senigallia counts the hamlets (frazioni) of Bettolelle, Borgo Bicchia, Borgo Catena, Borgo Passera, Brugnetto, Cannella, Castellaro, Cesanella, Cesano, Ciarnin, Filetto, Gabriella, Grottino, Mandriola, Marzocca, Montignano, Roncitelli, Sant'Angelo, San Silvestro, Scapezzano and Vallone.
Main sights
Despite its ancient origin the city presents a modern appearance, with wide streets. Attractions include:
- "In fondo al corso", the starting point of Corso 2 Giugno, on the same side of the bridge on Misa river and Portici Ercolani.
- "In cima al corso", the ending point of Corso 2 Giugno, also known as Piazza Saffi.
It must be said that nowadays it's still unknown the origin of this particular choice. Archeology has found no evidence about this issue, so far. Moreover, "In fondo al corso" and "In cima al corso" are not mentioned in any official document from the municipality of Senigallia. Nowadays this distinction is still handed down orally from generation to generation.
Other attractions are:
- Palazzo Comunale, from the 17th century.
- Rocca Roveresca - castle of Gothic origin, was restored by Baccio Pontelli in 1492. It has a square plan with four large round tower.
- The Cathedral, erected after 1787.
- Santa Maria delle Grazie - one of the only two churches attributed to Baccio Pontelli (the other is at Orciano near Mondavio, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) to the west by road). It once housed the painting of Madonna di Senigallia by Piero della Francesca.
- Chiesa della Croce
- Rotonda a mare.
Twinned cities
Chester, United Kingdom
Lörrach, Germany
Sens, France
See also
Sources
- ↑ 42536 Senigallia on OpenStreetMap
- "Sinigaglia" — article on the Catholic diocese, from the New Advent Catholic Encyclopædia
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "article name needed". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.- Senigallia In a Nutshell: An Illustrated Guidebook to Senigallia
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Senigallia. |
- (Italian) Senigallia official website