Candia
Candia, the hill of Ancona
Candia, a hamlet of the Municipality of Ancona, is a charming destination located on a hill overlooking two valleys - Baràccola and Piantate Lunghe. Most of the area is hilly and intensely cultivated with grains, olives, and vines. Some parts of Candia are included in the large industrial-commercial area of Baràccola. With its 865 inhabitants, Candia is, in fact, the most populous hamlet in the municipality of Ancona.
History of Candia
This hamlet, originally called Castro or Villa di Castro, originated from a small fortification built to defend the border with Osimo, the main rival of the city of Ancona during the Republic of Ancona. The residential area is located in the valley below, where the industrial area of Baràccola is located.
Monuments and Points of Interest
In the upper part of the hill, you will find the parish church of San Giuseppe, dating back to 1662 and subsequently expanded in 1874 and 1930. This building is in the Baroque style and contains three altars. In the sacristy, there is a large painting depicting "Four Martyred Saints", which is now on display at the Diocesan Museum (Ancona) of Ancona.
In the industrial area of Baràccola, you will find Villa Favorita, which was commissioned by the Ricotti family, a noble family who also built the church of San Raimondo in the 20th century.
The Festival of Covo
The Festival of Covo is a tradition in Candia that has been taking place every year since the end of the 19th century. The festival is a celebration to thank the Madonna for a season of good harvest. The term "Covo" refers to a miniature church made from wheat stalks. The miniature church is placed on a biroccio, a Marche agricultural cart, and pulled by oxen to the parish church. The procession is followed by farmers and children dressed in traditional costumes. The Festival of Covo takes place around the first Sunday of September and is connected to the events in Ancona. It is an important occasion that has been recognized by the Marche Region.
List of Miniature Churches Made in Recent Years
Below is a list of all the buildings and works that have inspired the miniature churches made in recent years for the Festival of Covo:
1995: Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Candia, Ancona
1996: Church of San Raimondo, Baraccola, Ancona
1997: Cathedral of San Ciriaco, Ancona
1998: Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi, Assisi
1999: St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
2000: Shrine of the Holy House, Loreto
2001: Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence
2002: Milan Cathedral, Milan
2003: Pisa Cathedral, Pisa
2004: Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii, Pompeii
2005: Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua, Padua
2006: Jasna Góra Monastery, Częstochowa
2007: Siena Cathedral, Siena
2008: Modena Cathedral, Modena
2009: Cathedral of St. Basil, Moscow, Russia
2010: Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii, Pompeii
2011: Eucharistic Chalice to commemorate the National Eucharistic Congress held in Ancona, Ancona
2012: Siena Cathedral, Siena
2013: Church of the Sacred Heart (Paris), Paris
2014: Fermo Cathedral, Fermo
2015: Corinaldo ## Monuments_and_Point_of_Interest
Candia is a charming destination with a very interesting history. The Festival of Covo is a unique opportunity to discover the roots of this hamlet of Ancona. If you are in the area, do not miss the opportunity to visit.
