I've spent decades attempting to trace genealogy in Italy (my Father is 100% Italian) and many of my family tree have run into a dead end being told my Great-grandfather was adopted (where I believe my Great-grandfather was raised by his mother but with a different Father & step-siblings).
If/when my wife and I do make our way to Italy, do you have any sites that you would suggest as memorable places to visit in the Fabriano/Ancona area?
Fabriano was and is a center of paper making and has a Museum of Paper (Musee della Carta) which is really interesting. The Cathedral is historic and there are volunteers to show you around if you wish. The town itself is handsome with lively piazzas and classic buildings. About 30 minutes away is the Monastery of Fonte Avellana from the 10th century, mentioned in Dante's Inferno and a center of manuscript illumination in the middle ages. Also nearby are the Frasassi Caves - one of Europe's largest and most spectacular underground karst cave systems.
For a broader view of the region, Wandering Italy Le Marche
Thankyou, Mike, for those details. I am going to be in the Le Marche region next year for a pastel painting 1-week plein air workshop class. I am starting to look at details for cities to see there before heading to Rome or Milan to fly back home afterwards. Ascoli Piceno is appealing. I wish I could get to Urbino, also, but I won’t have a car.
I only stopped briefly in Fabriano. I loved Ascoli Piceno. We also enjoyed Senigallia and Fano. The Frassasi cave was great. We also stayed in pretty little Sassoferrato. A gorgeous area overall!
