The old upper town and the Riviera of Palms
On the southern coast of the Marche, between Cupra Marittima and San Benedetto del Tronto, Grottammare is an elegant seaside town divided into two souls: the modern part along the sea, with a long sandy beach, a seafront promenade lined with palm trees, Art Nouveau villas and gardens, part of the "Riviera delle Palme"; and the Paese Alto, the old upper town, a medieval village perched on a hill overlooking the sea, enclosed by walls, with narrow lanes, small squares, stairways and stone houses, one of the "Borghi più belli d'Italia". From its terraces, the view sweeps over the coast and the sea.
In the Paese Alto stands the Torre dell'Orologio, the clock tower, the remains of the medieval castle, and the small square Piazza Peretti, with the tiny Teatro dell'Arancio, a delightful little theatre. Grottammare is the birthplace of Pope Sixtus V, Felice Peretti, born here in 1521, a pope who in just five years of pontificate transformed Rome with great urban works, such as the new streets, the obelisks in the squares and the completion of the dome of St Peter's; the church of Santa Lucia in the upper town was built by his sister. In summer, the town hosts the festival "Cabaret, amoremio!", dedicated to comedy and cabaret, and the old town comes alive with events and concerts. Along the seafront, a long cycle path connects Grottammare to San Benedetto and Cupra Marittima, ideal for walking and cycling among the palms.
Tip: climb to the Paese Alto at sunset for the view over the sea; walk or cycle along the palm-lined seafront to San Benedetto.
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