Discover Esanatoglia: Springside Trails, Culture and Nature

A holiday apartment in Esanatoglia opens up a place where a historic townscape, paths to the sources of the Esino, nature and unusual cultural themes come together. You will find opportunities for active days, quiet discoveries and special shared experiences – from a 14th-century gateway to astronomy and a regional sweet speciality.

Historic Centre Between Walls and Art

The Porta di Sant’Andrea dates back to the 14th century and is an ancient gateway to the historic centre of Esanatoglia. To this day, the centre is surrounded by a castle wall lined by the Esino River. The old watchtower known as “lu Roccone” was once part of the 14th-century city wall of Santa Anatolia. Older religious buildings include the Pieve di Santa Anatolia, Esanatoglia’s oldest Romanesque church, as well as the former convent and the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena from the 13th century. The Fonte del Borgo is also known as Fonte di San Martino and is a still-functioning 12th-century facility with separate basins for people and animals. At Villa Varano, the fresco “The Angel of Peace” was awarded the title “Opera di Pace” by the Marche region in 2020.

Holiday Apartment in Esanatoglia for Trails to Springs and Waterfalls

The Parco Sorgenti Esino route is 9 kilometres long, classified as tourist-level difficulty, and leads from Esanatoglia to the sources of the Esino. Near the sources, a hiking, cycling and mountain biking trail follows the main course of the Esino River and leads to the Eremo di San Pietro. The ruins of the old Church of San Pietro are less than a minute’s walk from this trail. As part of the Esatrail project, a free hiking and mountain biking map is available at an information board along the route. The Le Vene nature trail can be explored on foot or by mountain bike. The CAI route IT 6.12 is rated E–EE, covers 5.2 kilometres and has an elevation gain of 380 metres. Its gorge section leads to the last accessible waterfall and is recommended only for experienced hikers. The different trail lengths help you plan the structure of your days clearly.

Heights, Nature and Unusual Experiences

The Eremo di San Cataldo is located at an altitude of 766 metres on Monte Corsegno. The Osservatorio Astronomico is situated on Monte Porro within the Crossodromo complex. The Crossodromo Gina Libani Repetti is one of the oldest motocross tracks in Italy. On nearby Monte Gemmo, there is a launch site for paragliding and hang-gliding; during the flight, the view extends as far as Esanatoglia. Esanatoglia also has a protected floristic reserve with Mediterranean, hilly and montane plant species as well as numerous wild animals. Galattica is an annual astronomy festival held around Castello Malcavalca, featuring lectures, workshops and activities.

Frostingo and Local Handicrafts

Frostingo is a local sweet speciality whose flavour is considered to have been passed down from generations past. Handicrafts in Esanatoglia include reproductions of the ancient Renaissance ceramics of Santa Anatolia. When choosing accommodation, you can combine different focuses: springside trails and nature for active days, the historic centre for cultural discoveries, or astronomy, regional specialities and handicrafts for special impressions.

More places for your planning: Frontale, Sant'angelo In Pontano, Sarnano, Montecassiano, Montelupone, Serravalle Di Chienti, Santo Stefano and Macina.

For the higher-level travel overview: Macerata.