Voices from the past

The first evidence on Porto San Giorgio concerns writings by Strabione and Plinio the old, dating back to the 1st century BC. During medieval times the city was called Castel San Giorgio and was part of the Canonical property of the Duomo of Fermo. And precisely to the town of Fermo the history of Porto San Giorgio is closely tied in with; it is given to Fermo in 1260 and for centuries it acted as its port and defensive outpost, owing to its Stronghold and Castle. A period of strong urban expansion took place in the 17th century further to the sea's retreat. The city became independent only in 1741, when it took the name of Porto San Giorgio and obtained the right to elect its counsellors and its magistrates. After the Unification of Italy it was defined as the city's municipal territory and the drainage works started through the Salvatori family. The inauguration of the railroad, in 1863, gave a boost to economy and tourism. Already in the first few years of the 1900's, Porto San Giorgio was a renown tourist resort, beloved by poets such as D'Annunzio, and in 1927 it was declared by Ministry Decree a Stazione di Cura e Soggiorno or Healing Station and Resort.

Don't miss...

Porto San Giorgio's most characteristic monument is the Rocca built by Lorenzo Tiepolo, governor of Fermo. It is a quadrangular construction with turrets and a high central donjon. Of the Castle that used to rise south of the Rocca only a few walls remain, with gothic arcades. The churches are also interesting, particularly San Giorgio's, of the 19th century, with works by Bolognese painter Gandolfi and the Chiesa del Suffragio, of 18th century origin, where an altar-piece by Aureliano da Milano is conserved. Other places to visit are Villa Bonaparte, in neoclassic style and surrounded by a wonderful park, Palazzo Comunale, containing works by Gandolfi, and the Teatro Comunale, built in the 19th century, its vault frescoed by Nardi. Nearby Porto San Giorgio, in the fraction Torre di Palme, you can visit the Parish Church of S. Agostino, a Romanic-gothic complex with an important Polyptych by Vittore Crivelli, and the Chiesa di S. Maria a Mare, with Byzantine-like frescoes.

Events

The artistic and cultural events Porto San Giorgio and nearby Fermo can offer are many and they change from one season to the other. The two towns become alive mostly in the summer with events that range from cinema festivals to shows that are often held in the beautiful context of the Rocca. The Teatro Stabile Vittorio Emanuele has a rich programme, full of all sorts of events. The Festival Riviera Adriatica is dedicated to lovers of sportive dance, and is held every year at the Palasport gathering thousands of people.