Piazza Matteotti characterizes the main pedestrian street. Its original name was “Parade Square”. So called because in ancient times it was a clearing where the passing troops stopped. Furthermore, in the centre of the square itself stood the huts of the seafarers built without a master plan. Subsequently, it was decided to dismantle them for the definitive arrangement of the square and the road called “Anchorage Street”Since this ancient road was the starting point of the route to the sea, after the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy, it was felt necessary to give Piazza Matteotti a more dignified appearance. Specifically, the works concerned the elevation of the road surface, the construction of the Church of St. Joseph e the fountain of Borgo Marina.
The Church of San Giuseppe in Piazza Matteotti
The sacred building was the religious reference point throughout the ancient historical centre that arose around the rear Labyrinth Street. But also of the nearby historic districts. Built in 1883, It was initially an oratory as a center of social aggregation. The Church of San Giuseppe is in neoclassical style ad a single naveIt has a gabled roof and a brick facade. The interior houses some very important works of art. The white marble altar with mosaic inlays immediately catches the eye, as does the large stained-glass window.
The fountain of Borgo Marina
Piazza Matteotti is dominated by the artistic fountain located in front of the Church of San Giuseppe. The fountain was inaugurated in August 1873 with a large popular celebration. It is a work of great cultural and sentimental value for the city. has a jet of water in the center characterized by cherubs and dolphins made to come directly from ParisThey decorate the sides of the fountain. In February 1933, Borgo Marina was demolished to make vehicular traffic easier. Then, in 1984, it was restored at the request of the Circolo dei Sambenedettesi. However, it was set back from its previous location. Subsequently, Piazza Matteotti was repaved and became pedestrian zoneThe pedestrian area extended into the current Via XX Settembre, formerly called “Via degli Orefici,” now a shopping and dining street.
Piazza Matteotti, a place of technology and art
Recently, Piazza Matteotti has been equipped with modern white cast iron LED light points. In addition to services of video cameras and wi-fi including touch panels and water and electricity distribution. All this while furnishing the urban space. Worthy of note is a big anchor positioned in the square. This, in memory of the ancient name of the Ancoraggio road. Further on, the bronze statue of "La Retara", a work by the Offida sculptor Aldo Sergiacomi. The sculpture pays homage to one of the typical female figures of San Benedetto del Tronto: the one who tirelessly made and repaired fishing nets. Furthermore, Piazza Matteotti is made even more evocative by the sculpture "The Dreamers", positioned next to the anchor. The work, by San Benedetto artist Paolo Annibali, is a hymn to hope and life reborn.
Thanks for the cover image: Patrizia Cicconi
