Castelleone di Suasa
Encyclopedia
Castelleone di Suasa is a town and comune
within the Province of Ancona
, in the Marche
region of Italy
.
It is well known for the archaeological park
of Suasa
, an ancient Roman town.
Rising on a hill near the river Cesano, Castelleone di Suasa is also called "green town" because of its flourishing nursery activity.
Below the medieval castle
there are the remains of the Roman municipality of Suasa, that rose along the branch of the via Flaminia
that lead to Sena Gallica (Senigallia
).
Since 1987 the Archaeological Superintendence of the Regione of Marche
, has started a programme of excavations that has allowed the discovery of the ancient basalt street
, the commercial forum
, two sepulchre
areas, the amphitheatre
and, above all, the rich patrician dwelling that has become Archaeological Park
.
Outside the town there is the rural Chapel of San Martino
, where an early canvas by the painter Ercole Ramazzani
(16th century) is displayed.
From the medieval village it is possible to descend to the valley below (Pian Volpello zone), where the archaeological area of Suasa is located.
The onion
was one of the most important foods in the local economy (the "Castelleonesi" were famous as "onion growers"), and therefore for some years now the appointment of major attraction has become the Festa della Cipolla ("Onion Festival"), on the first weekend in September: the feast foresees itinerant shows and gastronomic stands with curious and succulent recipes based on onion.
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
within the Province of Ancona
Province of Ancona
The Province of Ancona is a province in the Marche region of central Italy. Its capital is the city of Ancona. The province has an area of 1940 km² and a 2006 population of 465,906 in 49 comuni , see Comunes of the Province of Ancona....
, in the Marche
Marche
The population density in the region is below the national average. In 2008, it was 161.5 inhabitants per km2, compared to the national figure of 198.8. It is highest in the province of Ancona , and lowest in the province of Macerata...
region of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
It is well known for the archaeological park
Suasa archaeological park
The Suasa archaeological park is an archaeological area in Castelleone di Suasa .It includes the remains of the ancient town of Suasa, abandoned in the 6th century AD...
of Suasa
Suasa
Suasa was an ancient Roman town in what is now the comune of Castelleone di Suasa, Marche, Italy. It is located in the Pian Volpello locality, in the valley of the Cesano River.-History:...
, an ancient Roman town.
Rising on a hill near the river Cesano, Castelleone di Suasa is also called "green town" because of its flourishing nursery activity.
Below the medieval castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
there are the remains of the Roman municipality of Suasa, that rose along the branch of the via Flaminia
Via Flaminia
The Via Flaminia was an ancient Roman road leading from Rome over the Apennine Mountains to Ariminum on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, and due to the ruggedness of the mountains was the major option the Romans had for travel between Etruria, Latium and Campania and the Po Valley...
that lead to Sena Gallica (Senigallia
Senigallia
Senigallia is a comune and port town on Italy's Adriatic coast, 25 km by rail north of Ancona, in the Marche region, province of Ancona....
).
Since 1987 the Archaeological Superintendence of the Regione of Marche
Marche
The population density in the region is below the national average. In 2008, it was 161.5 inhabitants per km2, compared to the national figure of 198.8. It is highest in the province of Ancona , and lowest in the province of Macerata...
, has started a programme of excavations that has allowed the discovery of the ancient basalt street
Street
A street is a paved public thoroughfare in a built environment. It is a public parcel of land adjoining buildings in an urban context, on which people may freely assemble, interact, and move about. A street can be as simple as a level patch of dirt, but is more often paved with a hard, durable...
, the commercial forum
Forum (Roman)
A forum was a public square in a Roman municipium, or any civitas, reserved primarily for the vending of goods; i.e., a marketplace, along with the buildings used for shops and the stoas used for open stalls...
, two sepulchre
Sepulchre
The rock-cut tombs in ancient Israel are a group of hundreds of rock-cut tombs constructed in Israel in ancient times. They were cut into the rock, sometimes with elaborate facades and multiple burial chambers. Some are free-standing, but most are caves. Each tomb typically belonged to a...
areas, the amphitheatre
Amphitheatre
An amphitheatre is an open-air venue used for entertainment and performances.There are two similar, but distinct, types of structure for which the word "amphitheatre" is used: Ancient Roman amphitheatres were large central performance spaces surrounded by ascending seating, and were commonly used...
and, above all, the rich patrician dwelling that has become Archaeological Park
Suasa archaeological park
The Suasa archaeological park is an archaeological area in Castelleone di Suasa .It includes the remains of the ancient town of Suasa, abandoned in the 6th century AD...
.
Main sights
- The Compiano-Della Rovere palace, seat of the archaeological museum, is situated in the historical centre. It possesses a beautiful sixteenth century portal and a lovely courtyard.
- Church of SS. Pietro e Paolo, from the second half of 16th century. It houses a work attributed to Viviani (16th century) and one signed by Ascanio Casola (1674).
Outside the town there is the rural Chapel of San Martino
Martin of Tours
Martin of Tours was a Bishop of Tours whose shrine became a famous stopping-point for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela. Around his name much legendary material accrued, and he has become one of the most familiar and recognizable Christian saints...
, where an early canvas by the painter Ercole Ramazzani
Ercole Ramazzani
Ercole Ramazzani was an Italian painter of the late-Renaissance period.He was born at Rocca Contrada , and was a follower of the styles of Pietro Perugino and Raphael. He is asserted to have been still alive in 1588.-References:...
(16th century) is displayed.
From the medieval village it is possible to descend to the valley below (Pian Volpello zone), where the archaeological area of Suasa is located.
Traditions and events
The "Forgiveness Feast", the most important religious event of the year, takes place during the spring season, followed by the Fair on the successive Monday.The onion
Onion
The onion , also known as the bulb onion, common onion and garden onion, is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium. The genus Allium also contains a number of other species variously referred to as onions and cultivated for food, such as the Japanese bunching onion The onion...
was one of the most important foods in the local economy (the "Castelleonesi" were famous as "onion growers"), and therefore for some years now the appointment of major attraction has become the Festa della Cipolla ("Onion Festival"), on the first weekend in September: the feast foresees itinerant shows and gastronomic stands with curious and succulent recipes based on onion.