The region Marche is a variegated casket of treasures, some perched on top of the hills, or by the sea, or among the small valleys, or in the historic centers of villages and cities.
I visited one of the places that contains in a small space a variety of rare and multiple riches: located almost in the center of the province of Ancona and easily accessible from the highway that connects the capital to Fabriano, turning towards the San Vittore-Genga exit.
After a few kilometers, you drive from the anonymity of the fast strip of asphalt (convenient, but easily allows you to fly over possible stops at remarkable places) to the quiet of a small town made of low buildings and lapped by the Sentino river. And there the discoveries begin.
From one end of the beautiful and only main of the village, paved with stone, there is a spa, a precious place for preventive and curative medicine. As Dr. Luca Faccenda, president of the Terme Spa, the location has sophisticated technological devices that micronize the drops of thermal water, and clinics for thermal muds and showers, therefore it represents an effective defense against neurological, rheumatological, respiratory and dermatological disorders and allows an effective action against chronic diseases of all ages, indicated for children, adults and the elderly. In addition, the factory produces creams, scrubs and thermal oils that are effective for lasting the beneficial effects of body care even once back home. The structure acts according to the Federterme protocol, implemented by the Region Marche. The agreement with the Italian National Health Service allows, at the request of the attending physician, to benefit from a cycle of treatments (nasopharyngeal and / or mud) of 12 sessions, with the payment of a ticket of 55 euros, which in the case of children under 5 years or people over 65 becomes 3 euros. In addition to this, other additional services are offered: massages, beauty treatments, spa products. In the current year, the plant was adapted to the anti-covid requirements and has been in operation since June, 22. In the future, the adjacent hotel and swimming pool will be available, now undergoing restoration.
While waiting, those wishing to take advantage of the treatment cycle by staying on site, can contact the numerous Bed and Breakfast facilities in the area.
After all, it is just natural to spend some days in this area: there is no shortage of beauties and natural and cultural attractions. We are within the Gola della Rossa Regional Natural Park, an oasis of over 10,000 hectares rich in biodiversity and naturalistic and historical architectural vestiges.
San Vittore is a small, very pretty village: the white and wide road is flanked on the right by low buildings also of white stone and on the left by a hill where the church of San Vittore alle Chiuse stands, a Romanesque building dating back to 1000, restored ito preserve the original architectural composition with the Greek cross plan inscribed in a square, the cross vaults and the octagonal dome.
The beauty of the architectural forms and the whiteness of the materials are enhanced by the lawn and surrounding vegetation.
The Speleopantological and Archaeological Museum sees its perfect setting in the monastery of the Abbey and there the famous Ichthyosaur of Genga is preserved and exhibited, a marine reptile similar to a dolphin of about 3 meters in length, lived in the upper Jurassic period of 150 millions of years ago.
The theory of houses in the small village is bounded by a Roman bridge from the Augustan age from which you can admire the flowing of the waters and listen to their sound. A similar view can be enjoyed comfortably seated on the austere terrace of the old bar, where you receive a simple and gentle welcome along with genuine flavors.
Along the river going up the waters you take a path through the greenery. Here stands a former mill, the Casa del Parco, and here it is possible to book the Adventure Route, a route that develops in a green area along the banks of the Sentino river. Those who want to compete with this exciting tour, made up of three difficulty levels dedicated from children to adults, will receive suitable and certified equipment. The instructors explain the use of the devices and the progression and safety techniques in an initial briefing after which everyone is free to progress on the routes independently. The staff, trained in assistance and rescue techniques, constantly follows the users and is ready to intervene for suggestions or help on the routes in case of need.
But the place is also suitable for a more peaceful enjoyment: lying on the meadows or among the small sandy coves of the river banks, perhaps for a picnic is pleasant and healthy.
There is no shortage of other very special attractions in this park, with villages rich in history, such as Genga, or with the famous Frasassi Caves, true and rare.
In short, San Vittore is a place where you can experience a holiday full of health, beauty and, needless to say, gastronomic specialties that are offered in the numerous places and range from ancient wisdom to modern processing, always with tasty and genuine local products.