Gradara, in the Marche region, is the place for you if you want to visit a small village away from the chaotic inhabited centers. Let's find out together ...
Why is Gradara so famous? It all starts many years ago:
"Love, who forgives no one loved to love, took his pleasure so strongly that, as you see, it still does not abandon me (Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, Canto V, Inferno).
These are the words of the great poet, Dante, whom we all know from canto V of Hell. We talk about Paolo and Francesca and their story took place right inside the Castle of Gradara.
The village of Gradara
The city of Gradara is located in a fortunate position, it is close to the sea but at the same time it is inland. It has become one of the main tourist destinations of the Marche Riviera. The castle is the main attraction of this little one medieval village. Within the walls we can find few cars, many craftsmen, typical houses and large flowered balconies.
The castle already stands out from afar for its grandeur and as you get closer to the village, it makes its way into the landscape with its fortified walls.
A beautiful walk of about 400 meters awaits you around the walls managing to have a beautiful view of the village and the surrounding area.
The castle of Gradara
The castle is one of the best preserved in Italy and it was built in 1182. It was owned by the Malatesta family, in 1400 it passed to the Sforza family who ruled the village of Gradara from 1445 to 1512. From 1641 to 1920 the city was under the Papal State. The castle was then purchased by the Zanvettore family who brought the fortress and the walls back to their former glory.
There is the drawbridge, which allows you to reach the inner courtyard and the walls. From here the visit begins in the perfectly preserved rooms of the fortress. Inside of it covers about a thousand years of Italian history: from the Middle Ages to the present day.
The rooms of the castle
The rooms that can be visited are: the Torture Room, the Keep, the Passion room, Lucrezia Borgia's Camerino, the Chapel and many others. The most visited room, however, is the Camera di Francesca which was entirely rebuilt in the 20s. Inside are all the details that were reported by Dante and Boccaccio.
The castle is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 am to 13:15 pm and is closed on Mondays. Entrance with mask obligation.
The caves of Gradara
In addition to the castle, a hidden treasure is found in the subsoil of Gradara, full of caves and tunnels that form a large labyrinth. Their origin is still mysterious even if scholars indicate them as a place of worship for the Byzantines. Sixteen are the caves that have been discovered but, at the moment, only one can be visited, together with the Historical Museum of the Grotte di Gradara.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 to 14:00. The ticket office closes at 13.15pm. The closing day is Monday. Entrance with the obligation of a mask.
Other things to see
As in any small village there are many things to see including the Municipal Theater built in 1800. It has only 70 seats and is the smallest in Italy. Finally the Church of Giovanni Battista; here is kept the Crucifix created by Friar Innocenzo in 1936 which shows silence, suffering and relief according to the point from which it is observed.
Gradara is therefore a small village in central Italy that still has the characteristics of the past. Another small treasure of our territory.
