Amandola
At Amandola, in the province of Fermo, and especially in the province of Pesaro Urbino, among Acqualagna e Sant’Angelo in Vado, Pergola e Apecchio, the “diamonds of the table” have always existed, and October and November are truly the right months to taste them, also thanks to the various Truffle Fairs, organized precisely during this period, which represent some of the most famous dedicated gatherings worldwide.
This is an area rich in history, culture, and magnificent nature, intertwined with the origins of this beloved food so appreciated worldwide. So, it’s not a time to regret beaches and shores, but to prepare to discover one of the most beautiful and “tasty” areas of the Marche.
Acqualagna
Acqualagna is the collection center for 2/3 of the entire national production of the precious fungus, and it is even a national law that establishes that the best white truffles in Italy are found here and in Alba. It’s no coincidence that every year, the National White Truffle Fair of Acqualagna takes place, the most important event in central Italy dedicated to the prized white truffle, scheduled for 2020 on October 25 and 31 and November 1, 7, 8, 14, and 15.
Known since the times of the Greeks and Romans, who attributed a sacred and divine origin to it, the history of the truffle is truly interesting, and the Truffle Museum located right in the town is worth a visit to discover it. So loved and celebrated everywhere, the truffle of Acqualagna is also the subject of many amusing anecdotes involving important figures of our history.
For Gioacchino Rossini, for example, it was the trigger for a real war, the so-called Macaroni War with Alexandre Dumas father who, invited to dinner by the composer to taste the true recipe of Neapolitan-style macaroni, found himself served a dish made with truffles, the Maccheroni alla Rossini, precisely. Feeling deceived, he refused to taste it, sparking Rossini’s displeasure.Rossini. Walking through the streets of Acqualagna, one cannot miss a gastronomic stop to enjoy this fabulous dish.
Acqualagna is not only the renowned homeland of truffles, but it is also part of the Gola del Furlo State Nature Reserve, an area of ggreat naturalistic, archaeological, and geological beauty. Situated along the ancient Flaminia road, at the point where the Burano joins the Candigliano, Acqualagna lies southwest of the Gola del Furlo – the marvelous canyon carved by the ceaseless flow of the Candigliano river, an area to be explored on foot thanks to the numerous paths and trekking routes crossing it, such as the walk that follows the riverbank itself, a wonderful clear and green mirror.
In addition to the natural beauties, among the historic sites not to be missed is the Church of San Vincenzo al Furlo, the remains of an ancient 8th century Abbey where San Romualdo (1011) lived and San Pier Damiani (1042). On the walls of the Church, frescoes of the Marche school are still visible today; moreover, the location adjacent to one of the most picturesque Apennine passes makes the abbey a truly enchanting destination also for the magnificent landscape that surrounds it.
Sant’Angelo in Vado
Also Sant’Angelo in Vado, a charming medieval village located along the upper valley of the Metauro river, “celebrates” truffles every year with the National Exhibition of the Precious White Truffle of the Marche of Sant’Angelo in Vado, this year its 57th edition, scheduled for October 10,11,17,18,24,25,31 and November 1.
Between one truffle tasting and another, you can walk through the alleys of the ancient village built on the ruins of the Roman Tiphernum Mataurense, an ancient municipality destroyed during the Gothic War. The historic center is certainly worth a visit: rich in beautiful monuments from various eras, from the 14th-century Palazzo della Ragione topped by the contemporary Civic Tower (‘el Campanon’) to the 18th-century Cathedral, from the ancient Santinelli, Grifoni, Clavari and Mercuri palaces to the 17th-century Palazzo Fagnani. Not to be missed is the Domus of the Myth, the most important archaeological find brought to light in the last 50 years. Built toward the end of the 1st century AD, it covers about 1,000 square meters and is enriched by a rich complex of mosaics; moreover, right in the largest room of the Domus, the mosaics depict the portrait of a male figure holding a truffle in his hand: this explains why Sant’Angelo in Vado is called “The Land blessed by the Gods.”
For those who wish to add a food stop here in San’Angelo in Vado, the advice is to try a famous dish of the Marche tradition, seasoned with truffle, of course: the Passatelli.
Pergola
Staying in the province of Pesaro Urbino, also Pergola, located along the upper valley of the Cesano river on a wide terrace at the confluence with the Cinisco, is very famous for its truffles. Although this year there will be no festival dedicated to the precious white truffle, a stop in this village, considered one of the most beautiful in Italy, is almost a must. Opportunities to taste and purchase truffles will certainly not be lacking, and you can also visit this wonderful town, known as the city of a hundred churches, all rich with precious works of art that testify to the important economic, political, and religious role it has played over the centuries.
In Pergola, the Museum of the Gilded Bronzes houses the famous Gilded Bronzes from Cartoceto, the only existing bronze-gold group that has come down to us from the Roman Age. It is a sculptural group that has no equal in the world, and is truly worth seeing at least once in a lifetime.
Amandola
The last stop on this truffle-themed itinerary is Amandola, in the province of Fermo. Immersed in a breathtaking natural setting, between the banks of the Tenna River and the woods, in the heart of the Monti Sibillini Park, Amandola represents one of the most important historical-cultural centers of the Monti Sibillini.
After a walk through the ancient alleys, between Piazza Risorgimento, the heart of the historic center, and the sanctuary of Blessed Antonio, not to be missed is Piazza Umberto I (also known as Piazza Alta) which hosts a beautiful 360-degree panoramic terrace overlooking the National Park. Here you can also visit the 15th-century Podestà Tower and the historic La Fenice Theater, inside which decorations with medallions and cherubs in neoclassical style are preserved. Finally, let us not forget the truffle: the main product of this area is precisely the Tuber Magnatum, that is the Precious White Truffle of the Sibillini.
With truffle, a good wine pairing is a must: the province of Pesaro Urbino, for example, is also the land of Pergola Doc, in its three types of Red, Novello and Passito, with a full and well-balanced flavor, as well as of Colli Pesaresi in its dominant red variant Sangiovese, with a ruby color, more or less intense, and a dry and harmonious taste. Excellent pairings to best enjoy the fabulous food of the gods.
