25 APRIL: Ancona and the Sanctuary of Loreto

Let yourself be enchanted by the wonders of the Marche. Discover with us Ancona and the Sanctuary of Loreto!

ANCONA, THE OPEN-AIR MUSEUM

Ancona, in the northern area of the promontory of Conero, rises on a natural port, dominating a large stretch of the Adriatic coast. Its old town, characterized by the liveliness of the port cities, preserves a refined charm, which since ancient times has been a key place for commercial activities. 

The Doric city is called an open-air museum: it is a city rich in its past, which today amazes its visitors. 

One of the first monuments that will attract your attention will be the Mole Vanvitelliana, built as a lazaretto for the quarantine of people, now converted into space for cultural events. Continuing you will see the fifteenth-century Benincasa Palace and the Loggia dei Mercanti, the most important secular building. 

Going down towards the old port, you will have the opportunity to admire the Arch of Trajan, which is one of the most important Roman testimonies of the Marche and one of the best preserved architectural monuments. 

Do not miss the National Archaeological Museum of Marche: among the most famous in Italy, the Archaeological Museum will give you the opportunity to start your journey through time from prehistory to Hellenism and is one of the largest collections of artifacts in the region. In addition, it also gives the opportunity to visit Palazzo Ferretti with its rich decorations and the splendid view of the port. 

Another unique experience is the one offered by the Tactile Museum Omero: here you will be guided to discover the city and its art through touch, thanks to plaster casts of sculptures, monuments and archaeological finds. 

SANCTUARY OF LORETO, SYMBOL OF CHRISTIANITY

In the beautiful city of Loreto, immersed in the countryside of the Marche, it is distinguished by the presence of the sanctuary where the Holy House of the Virgin Mary is preserved and venerated. It is a sacred place, defined by John Paul II the "true Marian heart of Christianity". The shrine is and has always been one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Catholic world. According to an ancient tradition, the Holy House is precisely the house of Nazareth in which Mary was born, educated and received the angelic proclamation. 

From the middle of 1400, to protect the stone walls and welcome the growing crowd of pilgrims, Loreto began work on the construction of the magnificent sanctuary. Among the most valuable works, the marble coating that surrounds the walls of the Holy House, made on a design by Bramante, is considered one of the greatest sculptural masterpieces of Renaissance art. Since then, great artists have succeeded each other over the centuries to beautify the sanctuary whose fame spread quickly throughout the world. To complete the works, Carlo Maderno created in 1600 the fountain that adorns the square of the sanctuary, while in 1700 Luigi Vanvitelli realized the bell tower that stands on the left side of the basilica. The whole city of Loreto, immersed in the tranquility of the beautiful countryside of the Marche, has developed around the Sanctuary of the Holy House. In addition, the splendid village built around the basilica offers remarkable panoramic views and houses the Municipal Art Gallery of the Piazza del Santuario where are kept the paintings of the magnificent Venetian painter Lorenzo Lotto. Loreto, always a destination for pilgrimages, not only offers the beauty of the Marche landscapes and the flavors of its typical products, but also reveals itself as a fascinating city of art, ready to reveal its treasures.

This package offers you accommodation in a central 3* hotel with breakfast, the guided tour of the Sanctuary of Loreto and a lunch or dinner of your choice. 

Triple and single room on request.

Price for children on request.

Reduction or supplement for hotels of lower or higher category on request.

Guided tour of the city of Ancona on request

Transportation on request (flight, train, bus) quotation

The program can be varied according to requests, contact us!