Visit San Severino
San Severino is situated in the rolling wooded hills of the southern Marche region, south of Cingoli.
The most important monument here is the Piazza del Popolo, surrounded by porticos, 224 meters long and 55 metres wide. It was built in the 13th century and extends, for commercial purposes, along the road that skirted the medieval village. The palaces that surround it express the best of local architecture from the 16th century to the current day. On one side of the square stands Teatro Feronia by local architect Ireneo Oleandri who built it in 1827, giving the interior of the palace a typical neo-classical style.
On the so-called Black Mountain is situated the castle and ancient seat of the medieval city. There are still large sections of walls of the ancient buildings, including two gates, and, on top, two landmark towers: that of the municipality and, in front, that of the bell tower of the Old Cathedral. The latter, built in tenth century and remodelled several times, contains the remains of the patron saint and a fine wooden choir from the Renaissance period by local artist Domenico Indivini (1445 ca.-1502). Dating from the same time is the square cloister, a peristyle with two rows of arches connecting the church to the former Bishop's Palace.
Visit the Civic Gallery (in Manuzzini Palace), which houses many paintings from the local school of painting. Among the most important works: "Our Lady of Peace" by Bernardino di Betto, called the “Pinturicchio” (1454-1513); two polyptychs (XV century) by Niccolò Alunno (1420-1502) and Vittore Crivelli (1433-1395); an altarpiece (XIV century) by Paolo Veneziano (1300 ca.-1365 ca.) and paintings by local painter Lorenzo d’Alessandro (1445-1501) and Bernardino di Mariotto (1478 ca.-1566).
The Archaeological Museum preserves prehistoric finds from San Severino and the surrounding area, ranging from Paleolithic to the Early Middle Ages.
Among the religious buildings, the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Doliolo is the oldest Church of San Severino. The tradition tells that it was built by Basilian monks (of Greek Orthodox Rite) on the ruins of a temple of goddess Feronia. The building is from the fourteenth century, but it has undergone several renovations. The crypt of the church is interesting and was probably built in the sixth century. Among the frescoes of note are “Stories of St. Andrew” by the Salimbeni brothers (Lorenzo [1374 ca.-1418] and Jacopo [1380 ca.-1426 ca,]), authors of other frescoes located in the sacristy. Note also some paintings by Cristoforo Roncalli, called “Pomarancio” (1553 ca.-1626).
The Church of St. Augustine retains a façade with Gothic portal, adorned with potteries and remains of frescoes, attributed to Lorenzo d’Alessandro and a bell tower of Romanesque-Gothic style. The interior is adorned with remarkable works such as the wooden crucifix by Acciaccaferri (XVI century), and some paintings by Pomarancio. The choir is a work by Ireneo Aleandri.
Ancient Septempeda
A key aspect of tourist interest in San Severino is given by new and important archaeological finds. The archaeological park of “Septempeda” is located approximately two kilometers east of San Severino, in a flat area north of the ‘Potenza River, with a concentration of artefacts visible mostly in the locality called “Pieve” (trans "Parish”). The birth and evolution of Roman “Septempeda” from "Oppidum ( “Fortified Town”) to “conciliabulum” (“Meeting Place of Roman citizens”) and, finally, to “Municipium”, with special privileges, mostly linked to the autonomy of local government relations and of favourable alliance with Rome, is linked to its role as a centre of communication on routes such as the “Via Flaminia” and “Via Salaria”, linking the major cities of Piceno, Fermo and Ascoli. The area once occupied by the city is still largely bounded by city walls made of large blocks of sandstone.
The archaeological remains relating to areas within the walls essentially concern “thermae”. The building is located in a yard paved with bricks, surrounded on either side of a portico with pillar, also having a swimming pool. Around it overlooking the "calidarium" and some rooms paved in mosaic. Also in the urban area, specifically south of the road near Parish Church, several Roman houses have been identified. Of particular interest are four mosaics, the oldest of which dates back to the end of Republican and the other to the imperial age (2nd century). In the immediate outlying areas a workshop area was found, the excavations of which have revealed a complex of brick kilns and ceramics used between I and IV century AD.
Traditional Cuisine
The San Severino surroundings are very rich in restaurants and taverns, which offer some local dishes such as the homemade pasta, “tortellini”, “ravioli”, “tagliatelle”, “lasagne”, “gnocchi” and, particularly for those who love fish, mixed grills are widely present, and sea bass, sea bream, flounder and finally swordfish.
See also history of San Severino