Senigallia

Marche, Italy

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Senigallia is a charming coastal town in the Marche region of central Italy, located on the Adriatic Sea at the mouth of the Misa River, about 15 kilometers northwest of Ancona.

Founded around the 6th century BC by the Senonian Gauls and later becoming the Roman colony of Sena Gallica in 289 BC, it is the first Roman colony on the Adriatic and has a rich history as a trade center. Today, Senigallia is best known for its famous "Spiaggia di Velluto" (Velvet Beach), a 13-kilometer stretch of fine golden sand so soft it feels like velvet, which has earned the town multiple Blue Flag awards for water quality and safety.

The iconic Rotonda a Mare, a 19th-century circular building originally constructed for hydrotherapy, stands on the beach and now hosts exhibitions and events. The town’s historic center features well-preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture, including the imposing Rocca Roveresca castle commissioned by Giovanni della Rovere, the Palazzo del Duca, the Palazzetto Baviera, the arched Portici Ercolani, and the Foro Annonario where the city market and summer concerts are held.

Senigallia is also a fishing port, agricultural market, and seaside resort with industries producing farm tools, paper bags, and furniture, while its restaurants serve excellent Adriatic seafood. With a population of around 44,000–45,000, it serves as an ideal base for exploring other historic towns in inland Marche.