Lacemaker
Lace Makers by Aldo Sergiacomi, 1983
Offida is probably not listed on the itinerary of most typical tours of Italy, however it is in towns like Offida that one discovers the spirit and the diversity of the Italian culture. Yes, they produce wine and cheese, and yes the food is wonderful–though different than you might find in Rome or Venice–but this is also one of those Italian towns where handcrafted lace is a continuing proud tradition, dating back to the 1400s. Women with their bobbins and threads continue to create this art, and with the development of The Offida Craft Lace Cooperative in 1979, they are able to sell directly to customers (Marche Voyager).
Located about midway down the Italy boot, near the eastern coast, Offida is a charming hill town in the province of Ascoli Piceno, in Le Marche region of Italy. Offida also features a delightful outdoor market with a wide variety of treasures.
Santa Maria della Rocca is the architectural treasure of Offida. A combination of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, it was built by Benedictine monks between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries. The church is adorned with frescoes, some dating back to the early fourteenth century, and the lower church is truly a step back into that time. (Click on any of the photos in the blog for a larger view.)
Santa Maria della Rocca, perched high on a hill
Enterance through center apse
Fresco, Church Interior
Santa Maria della Rocca, lower church
Another treasure of this charming hilltop town is the Teatro Golden Snake, a baroque theatre with gilded balconies and a stunning chandelier.
Teatro Chandelier
Teatro Golden Snake
In addition to the lace and charming structures of Offida, the area produces red, white, and Vin Santo wines.
After visiting one of the bustling Italian cities, Offida could be the perfect contrast to add to a custom tour of Italy. When you are ready for your custom tour, call us–800.498.8915. A real person will answer! Or fill out the contact form below and click “Submit.” For more on how we create custom tours of Italy, see our earlier post, Creating a Custom Tour. More of our “Exploring Possibilities” blog posts can be found here on the right sidebar under “Recent Posts.” We will continue to add new posts at least once a week.
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