Comune di Polverigi
Polverigi is a town of 4,023 inhabitants situated in the immediate inland of Ancona, amidst gentle hills that slope down into a wide valley, in an area that has always been devoted to agriculture.
Built in the 14th century, the church of the Sacramento (Santa Maria Maddalena) still retains the Gothic-Romanesque elements with which it was built. Between the 17th and 18th century, the interior was transformed in Baroque style, although the floor and ceiling remained original. Inside, many fresco paintings (now being restored) from different periods are a sight in themselves: Madonna with Child and a S. Agostino, painted in around the fifteenth century with Marche school styles, and a Baroque S. Bernardo. The restoration works will soon be finished and the church will also be used to house works of art from other churches. Once this was one with the local park and villa Nappi, an ancient residence that is today home to the Inteatro. Once the Augustinians had left in Napoleon's government period in 1815, it was all acquired by the Nappi counts and subsequently sold to the town in 1972.
The parish church of S. Antonio is the work of Gabuzzi, and houses a distinguished painting by Ercole Ramazzani dated 1583 and entitled 'La deposizione della Croce' (‘The deposition of the cross’). In the town hall, a wall shows a fresco painting (the crucifixion) of Marche 1400s school, recently attributed to Giovanni Antonio da Pesaro.
The Roccolo (which takes its name from the rounded shape) outlines the historic centre that was once that surrounding the castle with the walls.
In terms of cultural events, we should mention the regional Passion that takes place along the town’s streets. In Rustico, the ‘festa della Pace’ (peace festival) features a photographic display and postcards from the two wars, band concert and food stands. ‘Aspettando il maggio’ (waiting for May) offers serenades and folklore songs. The international ‘Inteatro’ festival organizes every year events, cabaret, conferences and seminars on the theme of theatre. Finally, the ‘Notte delle Streghe’ (night of the witches) offers imaginative re-evocations, games and drinks and various forms of refreshment.
