Recanati: What to See, Where to Eat, and What to Do in the Evening

Recanati, in the heart of the Marche region, is a city completely immersed in greenery, offering a splendid panorama of the surroundings. But most importantly, it is known as the City of Leopardi, also referred to as City of Infinity: the renowned poet and writer was born here, and many of his works were inspired by this place. Let's discover together what to see in Recanati.

Recanati is known as the City of Leopardi. Here you can visit various places related to the poet's life, such as the famous Hill of Infinity, or the small square that inspired the poem Il sabato del villaggio (The Saturday of the Village). Definitely, one of the most important attractions of the city is the House of Leopardi, the birthplace of the famous Italian poet.

To this day, this house is owned and occupied by Leopardi's descendants, but part of it has been converted into a museum to allow everyone to visit it. Inside, you can explore various locations where the poet grew up and was educated, as well as several manuscripts and objects that belonged to Leopardi.

One of the highlights is certainly the wonderful library, which houses about 20,000 volumes, many of which were collected by Leopardi's father. The library and the living quarters are accessible via guided tours, while the museum can be visited independently by purchasing an entry ticket.

"This lonely hill has always been dear to me". So wrote Leopardi in L'Infinito (The Infinite), one of his most famous poems. Thus, one of the fundamental stops on a trip to Recanati is the Hill of Infinity.

A place of peace and tranquility, where on clear days the view extends to the peaks of the Sibillini Mountains, and where the Garden on the Hill of Infinity is located, a place where you can experience an immersive journey into poetry. This space, situated just a few steps from the House of Leopardi, is one of the FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano) properties, which has restored and opened it to the public for everyone to enjoy.

The garden has been restored to its original beauty, with tree-lined paths, vegetable plants, flowers, and fruit trees, while reclaiming the stunning view over the Marche hills. It is now possible to visit by joining a guided tour; we recommend booking your entry ticket in advance to find the most suitable time for you. During the visit, the guide will tell you the history of the place and its connection to Leopardi's life and his famous poetry.

Walk the path in the park: once your visit to the Garden is over, take the path leading to the viewpoint on the Hill, to admire the panorama of the surrounding hills and to take a photo of the commemorative plaque installed on a wall in the park.

As mentioned earlier, the places related to Leopardi in Recanati are numerous and within the city, you can also admire the Tower of the Lonely Sparrow, incorporated into the Cloister of the Church of Sant'Agostino. This is a 13th-century church that houses important frescoes dating back to the 15th century and several paintings by Giovanni Bellini.

The tower is famous for being mentioned in the poem Il Passero Solitario (The Lonely Sparrow), featured in the second edition of the Canti, from 1835. Leopardi wrote: "On top of the old tower, the Lonely Sparrow, sings to the countryside until the day dies;". Today it is not open for visits, but you can admire it from the outside and take a commemorative photo.

The Tower of the Lonely Sparrow is located at Via Antonio Calcagni, 38. Easily reachable on foot from Piazza Giacomo Leopardi (350 m, 4 min) - Get directions

Visit duration: 20 min

The Piazzuola Saturday of the Village is one of the most charming squares in Recanati. Framed by the Leopardi Palace and the Ancient Stables with Silvia's House, it takes its name from the famous poem Il Sabato del Villaggio (The Saturday of the Village), included in the 1831 edition of the Canti. On one side of the square, you can read some writings by the poet: "The children shouting on the piazzuola in a crowd, And here and there bouncing, Make a joyful noise:".

One side of the square is occupied by the Church of Santa Maria di Montemorello, known for being the parish of the Leopardi family, where the family went to pray and where Giacomo Leopardi was baptized on June 30, 1798.

The square is located at Via dei Cappuccini, 1. Easily reachable on foot from Piazza Giacomo Leopardi (850 m, 10 min). The Church does not have fixed opening hours - Get directions

Visit duration: 30 min

Piazza Giacomo Leopardi represents the heart of the city, the starting point to begin discovering this wonderful place. Its current appearance, with red brick paving, dates back to 1998, when the square was renovated on the occasion of the bicentennial of Leopardi's birth. And, right in the center of the square, is the Statue of Giacomo Leopardi, created by the Ascoli sculptor Ugolino Panichi.

But this square is also a true concentration of art, history, culture, and architecture: behind the statue, you can admire the imposing City Hall, while on the opposite side you will find the Church of San Domenico and the Tower of the Borgo, which today houses the Museum of Recanati.

The square is located at the intersection of Viale Cesare Battisti, Via Cavour, and Corso Persiani. Easily reachable on foot from the House of Leopardi (850 m, 10 min) - Get directions

Visit duration: 30 min

The Tower of the Borgo rises majestically in Piazza Giacomo Leopardi and is truly a symbol of the city. Built in 1160, it stands 36 meters tall and today houses the MUREC.

The MUREC is the Museum of Recanati and is part of the Infinite Recanati Museum Circuit, which also includes the Civic Museums of Villa Colloredo Mels, the Museum of Emigration from the Marche, the Beniamino Gigli Museum, and the Music Museum. The MUREC consists of 7 levels located within the tower and allows visitors to discover the history of the town, how it was founded, and how it evolved over the centuries, independent of the fame gained by its illustrious figures, namely Giacomo Leopardi and Beniamino Gigli, an Italian tenor and actor, among the most celebrated opera singers of the 20th century.

The Basilica of San Flaviano, more commonly known as the Cathedral of Recanati, is the most important place of worship in the city. It is dedicated to Saint Flavian, one of the city's Patron Saints, celebrated on November 24. The other Patron is Saint Vitus Martyr, celebrated on June 15.

The long and troubled history of the Church begins in the distant 12th century: built in 1240, over the centuries it underwent various renovations and hosted significant events. In 1415, for example, Pope Gregory XII renounced his papacy, returning to the role of Bishop. He then decided to retire to Recanati, where he died in 1417.

He still rests inside the Cathedral today. While the exterior may seem simple, wait until you enter: look up to admire its wonderful entirely decorated wooden coffered ceiling. The Church also hosts several artworks, including The Martyrdom of Saint Paulina by Saverio Moretti, Madonna with Child and Saints Rocco and Philip Neri by Giovanni Antonio Carosio, and Madonna with Child and Saints: Louis king of France, Nicholas of Tolentino, Francis of Assisi, Thomas Aquinas, Onofrio and Ubaldo by Giovanni Antonio Scaramuccia.

Recanati is not only the birthplace of Giacomo Leopardi, but also of Beniamino Gigli, an Italian tenor and actor, one of the most famous opera singers of the 20th century, born here in 1890. For this reason, and due to its vibrant cultural life, Recanati is also known as the City of Music.

Today, in the city, you can visit the Music Museum MUM & Beniamino Gigli Museum, located side by side: the latter in the Sala dei Trenta of the Persiani Theater, the former in the adjacent building. Here you can take a real journey into music, not just related to the tenor Gigli. You can closely admire musical instruments, including accordions, guitars, and keyboards, as well as an exhibition dedicated to loudspeakers and amplification systems.

The Civic Museum Villa Colloredo Mels is also part of the Infinite Recanati Museum Circuit, along with MUREC, the Museum of Emigration from the Marche, the Beniamino Gigli Museum, and the Music Museum. Since 1998, the museum has been housed within the ancient villa that once belonged to the noble Colloredo Mels family, of Friulian origin.

It is a museum dedicated to the history and art of Recanati, which consists of about 5 sections: the archaeological section, the medieval section, the Renaissance section, the 19th-century section dedicated to Giacomo Leopardi, and finally, the contemporary section, with rooms dedicated to local Recanti artists.

Finally, Palazzo Venieri is one of the most famous palaces in Recanati. Situated halfway between the Tower of the Borgo and the Tower of the Lonely Sparrow, its history is quite troubled, having also gone through long periods of abandonment. Today it has become the property of the Municipality of Recanati and houses the Giacomo Leopardi Classical High School.

As it is a school building, it is not possible to visit inside, but its highlight is accessible to everyone: it is the wonderful courtyard with a view of the Marche hills. The panorama is visible from an arch topped by a clock, a beautiful spot to admire the view that extends to the sea and take a commemorative photo.

The palace is located at Via Cavour, 53. Easily reachable on foot from Piazza Giacomo Leopardi (200 m, 3 min) - Get directions

Visit duration: 30 min

Start your day in Piazza Giacomo Leopardi, where you can stop for breakfast at the Caffè Piazza Leopardi. Here you can admire the beauty of the square and its tall Tower of the Borgo, as there isn't enough time to visit it inside. Head south, making a stop first at the courtyard of Palazzo Venieri, then at the Tower of the Lonely Sparrow, until you arrive at the House of Leopardi, to which you should dedicate the rest of the morning.

After the visit, stop for lunch at the Osteria di Via Leopardi to taste traditional Marche dishes. Then take a moment to admire the Piazzuola Saturday of the Village, visiting the Church if you find it open, and then head towards the Garden on the Hill of Infinity to participate in the guided tour (book your entry ticket to get a spot at the most convenient time). Finally, take a moment to enjoy the view from the viewpoint of the Hill of Infinity.

For dinner, return to Piazza Giacomo Leopardi and stop for dinner at La Torre Antica.

Due to its strategic location in the heart of the Marche region between the sea and the mountains, Recanati features a typical cuisine that unites the entire territory. Among the representative dishes of the area, you can taste the piccicasanti, a type of soup, and vincisgrassi, one of the symbols of Marche cuisine. Among the wines to try are Rosso Piceno DOC and Colli Maceratesi DOC. We recommend stopping to taste traditional dishes in the typical Marche taverns, known for their traditional and homemade cuisine.

Recanati is definitely a tranquil destination, not known for its nightlife. However, in the city, you can still find several wine bars and pubs to grab a drink with friends. If you are looking for a more vibrant nightlife with late hours, the best solution, especially in summer, is to head to Porto Recanati on the coast, where you will find various venues and some nightclubs.