The village of Offida

A tour of the Marche is a journey that offers emotions at every turn. Among the hills of the Marches, the evocative panoramas and the winding roads, some villages seem to be suspended in time. The village of Offida is one of them: an enchanting place where every stone, every building, every object seems to carry a thousand years of history with an intense serenity. The village of Offida is located in the province of Ascoli Piceno, once you have crossed the valleys carved by the rivers.

Listed as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, Offida has a quiet and solemn beauty, refined and particular, so much so that some of the sensations that this village evokes are difficult to describe. Only by letting yourself be overwhelmed by the beauty will you be able to grasp the details and live a total and immersive experience in the ancient and evocative village of Offida.

What to see in Offida

The town of Offida is easily recognizable because once this city represented a strategic military fortress, a stage for battles between Ascoli and Fermi, Guelphs and Ghibellines. The walls with the mammoth towers remain partially visible and admirable, despite the war and the earthquake.

The historic center of Offida is therefore enclosed within these walls that date back to the fifteenth century and from its numerous panoramic corners, you can observe the Sibillini Mountains, the Monte Dei Fiori, and Monte Ascension, up to turn your gaze to the Maiella and Gran Sasso.

Here too the heart of the city is represented by Piazza del Popolo which however has an original triangular shape. Here are the palaces and churches and a charming loggia that leads to the Serpente Aureo Theater, a historic and spectacular Baroque theater in all, both in the performances that take place here and in the architecture.

The main attraction of Offida, however, is the church of Santa Maria Della Rocca. This is made up of Renaissance architecture with a particular shape and is surrounded on three sides by cliffs that dominate the surrounding valley allowing you to enjoy the Marche valley. However, this is not the only building of interest in the whole of Offida. Here you can find the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta which presents the different Greek, Baroque, Roman, and Lombard styles and interiors decorated with stuccoes and coffered vaults.

In Offida, traditions are a distinctive sign and it is possible to visit the Museum of Popular Traditions, divided into six different sectors that illustrate the life of the ancestors and the objects of agricultural work. The Cultural Center and the Municipal Art Gallery also represent unique opportunities to admire works of art and period furnishings. Offida proves to be a village that loves to relive its history and organize events that attract citizens and tourists, including the famous carnival which becomes a truly unforgettable opportunity to be together.