An amazing trip to Offida

This settlement was founded during the Longobard period (6th-9th centuries).
Very little remains of the fortification walls and the Fortress from the 15th century which were constructed upon a project by Baccio Pontelli, and currently annexed to the neoclassical building of the old hospital (18thcentury). Following the Corso del Serpente Aureo (main road) one arrives at the Piazza del Popolo, where the Town Hall (origin 12th-13th centuries) is located. Pietro Maggi, a Swiss architect, designed the theatre built within the building and inaugurated in 1820. At the far end of the square one finds the Church of the Addolorata (14th-19th centuries) and the Church del Suffragio o della Morte (19th century), which bears evident traces of far older structures. The Collegiata Church dominates the square on one side and was completed at the end of the 18th century. The square is the setting for the unique Offida Carnival, based on auspicious rites and popular legends. On Friday the celebration of"Lu bov fint" takes place. It is a fictitious hunt of a fake bull, in remembrance of the olden day bullfights, with the partaking of many menfolk that represent the various sectors of the town wearing the traditional work apparel of the peasants in the Marche region. At sunset on the last day of carnival, the festival reaches its climax with the procession of the "Velurd", bundles of long sticks and straw that are set on fire and carried through the streets of the historical centre so as to light a huge bonfire.
In Piazza Forlini there is the Church and former convent of Sant'Agostino (14th-17th century), that bears evidence of the Eucharistic Miracle which took place in Lanciano in Abruzzo in 1273. Descending via Roma, one reaches the De Castellotti Palazzo, built in 1856, and now is home to the Offida Museum. It is subdivided into four sections: theArcheological Museum "G.Allevi" with finding from the Piceno era, the Civic Art Gallerythe Museum of Popular Traditions and the Museum of Pillow lace (Tombolo). One of the most noteworthy forms of craftsmanship in the Marche region is indeed the making of this lace: the art of weaving the spindles across the pillow-shaped frame (the tombolo)has been handed down since the 15th century. The majestic building of the Church of Santa Maria della Rocca (14th century) stands at a distance overlooking the town and valley. it is Romansque-Gothic architectural style and has frescoes from the 13th-15th centuries while the frescoes in the crypt were painted by the Maestro of Offida and date back to the 1300 century. The sanctuary of Beato Bernardo (1604-1694) is just outside the town and he was an model symbol of a beggar of the Capuchin order.
One of the typical sweet products of Offida is the "funghetti" which is a crisp, anise flavoured sweet, another typical speciality is the coarse, stuffed sandwich called "chichiripieno".  

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