Bastia
Welcome to Bastia, the pearl of the Marche hills
Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about a small village in the Marche region that you will surely appreciate. It's called Bastia, a charming hamlet located on top of a hill and surrounded by the mountains of the Umbro-Marche Apennines.
Surrounding townships
Bastia is part of a group of hamlets that extend from the municipality of Fabriano to Sassoferrato, along the Apennines. Among the closest hamlets, we find Cupo, Fontanaldo, Marena, Marenella, Marischio, Melano, San Cassiano, Rucce, Vallina (Fabriano), Viacce. If you decide to visit Bastia, make sure to take a tour of all these surrounding hamlets.
A brief history of Bastia
Bastia was born as a defensive castle in the 15th century. Later, the Chiavelli family transformed it into a more modern fortress. This fortress, equipped with a crenellated wall and two observation towers, about ten meters high, was located on the top of a hill west of Fabriano. Bastia was built in a strategic position that made it easily visible to the inhabitants of the area.
In the 17th century, following earthquakes and famine, the fortress lost its strategic function; it became just a reference point. However, despite its decrease in importance, Bastia remained a place of great beauty.
What to see in Bastia
Today, Bastia is a very pleasant tourist destination and a destination for many travelers. For those who want to discover this pearl of the Marche hills, here's what you can see:
Crenellated city walls: the Bastia city walls date back to the 15th century. About ten meters high, they provided excellent protection for the fortress and an impressive view of the valley east of the Apennines to Mount Catria.
Observation towers: the two towers of Bastia were located inside the fortress. They were as high as the walls and allowed a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. The west tower was oriented towards Mount Catria, while the east tower overlooked the city of Fabriano.
Parish church: located inside the walls of the fortress, the parish church of Bastia houses works of art and frescoes inside.
Museum of Rural Life: located in the center of Bastia and inaugurated in 2007, the museum has ancient objects used by peasant families in the past.
How to reach Bastia
Bastia is easily reachable by car. It is about 15 minutes from the center of Fabriano and about an hour from the cities of Ancona and Perugia.
Conclusions
In conclusion, visiting Bastia is an experience that history, art, and nature lovers absolutely must do. This village offers a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and a perfect opportunity to relax away from the chaos of the city. I hope this information has been useful to you!
