Arcevia and its ottofile corn

Arcevia is a town of averagely 5000 inhabitants, located in the province of Ancona and surrounded by more than 20 parishes. Its territory is mostly hilly, because it is between the Umbrian–Marchean Apennines on the western side and the Adriatic Sea on the eastern side. All this to say that this is a privileged place to live and stay, maybe in a beautiful farmhouse immersed into its green hills.

The city is secluded by solid city walls built during the 13th and 14th centuries, of which four gates and several intact fortified towers still remain, there are 9 castles in town, all of them can be visited by tourists.

Arcevia is also famous for another reason, which is connected to the rural tradition of the area: the cultivation of “ottofile” corn of Roccacontrada, ancient name of the town until the Nineteenth century. In the whole region Marche, the typical corn flour has been for centuries the main ingredient for farmers and sharecroppers. The flour you get from “ottofile” corn is authentic, stone grinded in a historical water mill, which is one of a kind. In the last few years, the municipality of Arcevia decided to invest in this production, safeguarding it to preserve its authenticity and turning a poor typical ingredient into a refined product.

Are you going to visit or buy a farmhouse near Arcevia? Here are the festivals you should not miss: “Una domenica andando a Polenta (A Sunday eating polenta)”, on Sundays in February, reminding of the relationship between Arcevia and its ottofile corn, as well as “Festa dell’uva (Wine festival)” which takes place the last weekend in September and “Festa dell’Autunno (Autumn festival)” in November.

If the ancient local food, historical and natural evocative places to enjoy trekking in stunning landscapes are not enough, consider that near Arcevia you can visit the Frasassi Caves (only 15 km far), the Gilt Bronzes from Cartoceto di Pergola and the sea! Senigallia and its beautiful shores and several amusements is only 30 km far.