‘BORGO ANTICO – SISTO V’ JOURNEY

The journey winds along the lanes of the ancient town and reaches all the places linked to the memory of Felice Peretti, born in Grottammare in 1521 and ascended to the papal throne as Sisto V.

The old town (150 meters above sea level) has kept the same fascinating medieval urban layout with its typical lanes and panoramic sights.
Once you’ve left your car in the large parking site at the entrance of the old town you find Peretti Square, the heart of it. On the right side there’s an ancient cross-vault balcony that offers to you a gorgeous view over the seaside and the town..

On the northern side of the square stands up the recently renovated Church of Saint John the Baptist that houses the Sistino Museum.
Some great works of art donated by Sisto V to Grottammare are exhibited in it: a chalice with paten, a medal with the effigy of Camilla Peretti, the sister of the Pope and some precious paintings by Vittorio Crivelli and Vincenzo Pagani.

Once out of the museum you’ll find the eighteenth-century “Theatre of the Orange” on the right side. It has been recently renovated and in front of its main face stands up a statue of Sisto V. Although the theatre is small a lot of plays and concerts are performed in every year, especially during the summer season.

Going on along a series of narrow alleys you will arrive in front of Saint Lucia Church. During the journey stop for a while just to enjoy the suggestion of the sights that open over the sea: in particular, passing through Torrione lane you can easily find the “Tower of the Battle”, a magnificent rampart from sixteenth-century with a merlon-crowned top that rules over the whole “Riviera delle Palme”. The Tower houses the “Museum”, with the same name, whose rooms contains many works from the sculptor Pericle Fazzini.

From the Tower go through S. Lucia lane and you will arrive to Saint Lucia Church, built to do Pope’s will in the same place he was born, on December 13th, 1521. The church has been designed by Domenico Fontana. It has an excellent brick-made face and a refined portal with travertine flowery elements and it is surmounted by a particular bell tower. Inside there is a famous organ from the baroque epoch.

The sightseeing is finished here but if you want to deeply know about places attached to Sisto V you should visit the nineteenth-century church of Saint Pio V and its very beautiful bronze portal, and the square in front of it where stands up a magnificent bronze statue of Sisto V realised by the sculptor Aldo Sergiacomi from Offida.