Offida is characterized by its rolling green terrain and rugged bluffs adorned with wineries and crumbling ruins. Its historic center has numerous religious gems from medieval times. Relax in the old-world piazzas and stroll through the majestic colonnades for a glimpse into the town’s architectural wonders.
Visit the Church of Santa Maria della Rocca, among the most iconic sights in the Marche region. Enjoy stunning views of the town and the surrounding countryside from the base of this church perched on a hill. Enter through the intricate portal and admire the 14th-century frescoes attributed to the Master of Offida.
Make your way to the Franciscan Monastery and Church of S. Marco that dates back to the 13th century. It stands on the Piazza Baroncelli and features a wonderful courtyard with a colonnade and floral displays. Walk east to encounter such attractions as the Museo del Merletto a Tombolo, the Church of Collegiata and the Sant’Agostino Church.
Reach the central Piazza del Popolo and take a break at one of the cafés or restaurants. Try the varieties of Vin Santo dessert wine that is produced in the region. Gaze up at the plaza’s Palazzo Communale, the 13th-century town hall that has an elegant colonnade. Browse the works on display in the art gallery in this medieval building.
Adjacent to the palace is the magnificent 19th-century Teatro Serpente Aureo. Pay the fee to take a look around the auditorium. Watch a play from one of the ritzy boxes and gaze up at the stately chandeliers and ceiling paintings.
The town is located on a hill above the Tesino and Tronto valleys, near the Adriatic Coast in eastern Italy. Drive northeast for 17 miles (28 kilometers) from Ascoli Piceno, which is 110 miles (180 kilometers) northeast of Rome. Go to nearby towns such as San Benedetto del Tronto, Pescara and Porto San Giorgio.
Offida rises high above its bucolic surroundings, filled with relics and ramparts from a bygone era.
