Hidden in the heart of Le Marche, Jesi is a perfect destination for those seeking a balance between history, art and nature; visiting it allows you to discover a compact but surprise-filled historic center, ideal for exploring on foot, letting curiosity be your guide.
The city still preserves its medieval walls intact, embracing an urban core made up of historic palaces, theaters and ancient churches, but also green corners. Known for being the birthplace of Frederick II of Swabia, Jesi is much more than a place with an illustrious past: it’s a living place, where culture can be breathed in museums and squares, where wine tells the story of the surrounding countryside, and where traditions intertwine with the territory’s hospitality.
This guide was created to help you plan your visit with ease, proposing a complete itinerary among the most interesting attractions of Jesi and some suggestions for those who wish to extend their discovery to the surrounding areas.
Where Jesi is Located
Located in the central-eastern part of Le Marche, Jesi lies on the left bank of the Esino river, in a strategic position that easily connects it to both the hinterland and the Adriatic coast.
The city is about thirty kilometers from Ancona, with which it is well connected both by the SS76 highway and by railway line, and can be reached quickly also from Senigallia and Fabriano. Its position makes it perfect as a base for exploring the surrounding territory, from castles scattered among the hills to the Verdicchio villages, to the beaches or the Apennine caves.
Jesi thus manages to combine the convenience of connections with an intimate and authentic atmosphere, where Marche hospitality expresses itself naturally.
Which Places to Visit in Jesi?
The historic center of Jesi is a true kaleidoscope of art, history and architecture, where every corner tells a different era. Among palaces, theaters, squares and churches, an engaging path unfolds that allows you to grasp the noble and lively soul of the city; let’s discover together 16 unmissable stops in this city.
1. Palazzo Pianetti
It’s impossible to begin visiting Jesi without crossing the threshold of Palazzo Pianetti, one of the finest examples of 18th-century architecture in Le Marche. The sober facade doesn’t hint at the wonder housed inside: the Galleria degli Stucchi (Stucco Gallery), over 70 meters long, enchants with its Rococo frescoes and scenographic decorations that seem to emerge from a dream.
Here houses the Pinacoteca Civica (Civic Art Gallery), which preserves authentic Renaissance jewels, including masterpieces by Lorenzo Lotto such as the “Madonna delle Rose (Madonna of the Roses)”.
| TICKET PRICE | COMBINED TICKET COST TO VISIT MULTIPLE MUSEUMS
FULL PRICE: € 15 REDUCED: € 10 (children/youth from 6 to 25 years, groups min. 15 people) FAMILY: € 30 FREE: children up to 5 years, registered journalists, qualified tour guides, disabled and companions. |
| HOW TO BOOK | Open access |
| HOW TO GET THERE FROM THE CENTER | Discover the route |
2. Piazza Federico II (Frederick II Square)
The nerve center of the historic center, this square represents the symbolic heart of the city: according to tradition, Frederick II of Swabia, one of the greatest emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, was born here in 1194.
Today, the spacious square welcomes visitors and citizens in an airy space, where history and daily life intertwine. Stop to observe the facades of the historic buildings that surround it, breathe in the authentic atmosphere and imagine the bustle of centuries ago, when this same square was the stage for the city’s political and cultural life.
| TICKET PRICE | Free |
| HOW TO BOOK | Open access |
| HOW TO GET THERE FROM THE CENTER | Discover the route |
3. Palazzo della Signoria (Palace of the Signoria)
With its austere and elegant appearance, the Palazzo della Signoria represents one of the most refined examples of Renaissance architecture in the city. Built at the end of the 15th century, it now houses the prestigious Biblioteca Planettiana (Planettiana Library), which preserves over 100,000 volumes including ancient manuscripts, incunabula and precious collections.
Entering here means not only visiting a monument, but taking a journey into Jesi’s cultural memory; the silent and fascinating halls convey a sense of respect for knowledge and the beauty of the written word.
| TICKET PRICE | COMBINED TICKET COST TO VISIT MULTIPLE MUSEUMS
FULL PRICE: € 15 REDUCED: € 10 (children/youth from 6 to 25 years, groups min. 15 people) FAMILY: € 30 FREE: children up to 5 years, registered journalists, qualified tour guides, disabled and companions. |
| HOW TO BOOK | Open access |
| HOW TO GET THERE FROM THE CENTER | Discover the route |
4. Teatro Pergolesi (Pergolesi Theater)
Few places speak of Jesi’s soul as much as its theater. Named after the celebrated composer Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, born in this very city, the theater was inaugurated in 1798 and continues today to be a reference point for music and opera lovers.
Inside, gilded stuccos, velvets and frescoes create a timeless atmosphere. Here past and present coexist in harmony: every season is renewed with shows, concerts and festivals that animate the city and make it vibrant.
| TICKET PRICE | Depends on the show |
| HOW TO BOOK | Open access |
| HOW TO GET THERE FROM THE CENTER | Discover the route |
5. Cattedrale San Settimio (Cathedral of San Settimio)
Dedicated to the patron saint of Jesi, the Cathedral of San Settimio is a treasure chest that elegantly combines faith and art.
The current building, in neoclassical style, was rebuilt between the 18th and 19th centuries on the remains of a medieval church; inside, light spreads between naves and altars, offering a moment of contemplation and reflection.
Here you breathe a sense of sober but profound sacredness, where worship is accompanied by architectural beauty, ideal for a silent pause and an immersion in the spirituality that has shaped the city’s history.
| TICKET PRICE | Free |
| HOW TO BOOK | Open access |
| HOW TO GET THERE FROM THE CENTER | Discover the route |
6. Arco Clementino (Clementine Arch)
The Arco Clementino welcomes those arriving in Jesi with its solemn grandeur, ideally marking the entrance to the historic city.
Built in the 18th century in honor of Pope Clement XII, it presents itself as a majestic monumental gate that connects past to present. Originally it was flanked by drawbridges and moats, testifying to the defensive function that Jesi exercised; today it stands isolated, but preserves intact its symbolic meaning, enclosing in white stone all the identity value that the city attributes to it.
Observing it up close allows you to grasp the architectural details, but it’s in its urban role that the true charm lies: passing through it means beginning a journey that crosses centuries of history and civic memory.
| TICKET PRICE | Free |
| HOW TO BOOK | Open access |
| HOW TO GET THERE FROM THE CENTER | Discover the route |
7. Monumento a Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (Monument to Giovanni Battista Pergolesi)
In the heart of the city, a bronze statue pays homage to one of its most illustrious sons: Giovanni Battista Pergolesi.
The monument celebrates the precocious talent of the composer born in Jesi in 1710, author of operas that have marked the history of European music. His figure is remembered with respect and pride, not only for the artistic value of his creations but also for the deep connection with the territory.
| TICKET PRICE | Free |
| HOW TO BOOK | Open access |
| HOW TO GET THERE FROM THE CENTER | Discover the route |
8. Biblioteca Comunale Planettiana (Planettiana Municipal Library)
Inside Palazzo della Signoria opens one of the most evocative and lesser-known corners of Jesi, a place where time seems suspended. The Biblioteca Comunale Planettiana collects ancient volumes, historical documents and precious manuscripts that testify to centuries of knowledge and study.
Founded in the 18th century by the will of Count Angelo Planetta, it has assumed over the years a central role in the city’s cultural life. The atmosphere that reigns in this place is one of industrious silence, among wooden shelves and halls that preserve the echo of readers, scholars and researchers.
| TICKET PRICE | Free |
| HOW TO BOOK | Open access |
| HOW TO GET THERE FROM THE CENTER | Discover the route |
9. Museo Diocesano di Jesi (Diocesan Museum of Jesi)
A few steps from the Cathedral of San Settimio, the Diocesan Museum preserves a heritage of sacred art that tells the story of faith, devotion and the history of the local community.
Its halls collect vestments, reliquaries, paintings, sculptures and liturgical objects from the territory’s churches, offering an authentic glimpse into the religious life of the past. The curated display and the architectural context in which it is set make the visit particularly engaging, even for those not familiar with this type of collection.
| TICKET PRICE | COMBINED TICKET COST TO VISIT MULTIPLE MUSEUMS
FULL PRICE: € 15 REDUCED: € 10 (children/youth from 6 to 25 years, groups min. 15 people) FAMILY: € 30 FREE: children up to 5 years, registered journalists, qualified tour guides, disabled and companions. |
| HOW TO BOOK | Open access |
| HOW TO GET THERE FROM THE CENTER | Discover the route |
10. Piazza della Repubblica (Republic Square)
Daily life, sociability and elegant views intertwine in the central Piazza della Repubblica. Here, among noble palaces and historic venues, you can perceive the living soul of the city, its slow but constant rhythm, its capacity to welcome.
The outdoor cafés, bookshops and small shops create a dynamic but never chaotic atmosphere, perfect for a break between visits. Sitting at a table, watching passersby, letting yourself be warmed by the sun on the brightest days is one of the best ways to experience Jesi authentically.
| TICKET PRICE | Free |
| HOW TO BOOK | Open access |
| HOW TO GET THERE FROM THE CENTER | Discover the route |
11. Torrione di Mezzogiorno (Midday Tower)
In the heart of the historic center, the Torrione di Mezzogiorno stands among Jesi’s rooftops as a silent witness to its medieval past. Built to defend the city walls, it was part of an articulated fortified system that protected the city and delimited its urban perimeter.
The structure, robust and compact, preserves intact its essential charm and tells much about an era when towers punctuated city life, marking boundaries and ensuring security.
Today the Tower welcomes visitors along itineraries that reveal the most authentic and ancient face of the city, offering suggestive views that emerge between the stones and shadows of the walls.
| TICKET PRICE | Free |
| HOW TO BOOK | Open access |
| HOW TO GET THERE FROM THE CENTER | Discover the route |
12. Piazza Angelo Colocci (Angelo Colocci Square)
Among the most intimate and characteristic squares of Jesi, Piazza Angelo Colocci is a discreet space that harmoniously unites historical elegance and daily life. Named after the celebrated humanist from Jesi, the square opens like a small urban living room where prestigious buildings face each other, some of which are still inhabited today.
The atmosphere is calm, almost intimate, and walking through it invites you to observe the architectural details of the facades, to enjoy the light that changes throughout the day.
| TICKET PRICE | Free |
| HOW TO BOOK | Open access |
| HOW TO GET THERE FROM THE CENTER | Discover the route |
13. Riserva Ripa Bianca (Ripa Bianca Nature Reserve)
Just a few minutes from the center, the Ripa Bianca Nature Reserve surprises with its delicate landscapes and the rich biodiversity it preserves. The protected area extends along the Esino river and offers flat trails immersed in nature, ideal for relaxing walks and moments of naturalistic observation.
The reserve is particularly appreciated by birdwatching enthusiasts, thanks to the presence of numerous bird species that find an ideal habitat here. The spaces are well-maintained, designed to bring adults and children closer to an authentic environment that changes with the seasons and always offers a new perspective on the territory.
| TICKET PRICE | Free |
| HOW TO BOOK | Open access |
| HOW TO GET THERE FROM THE CENTER | Discover the route |
14. Le antiche mura di Jesi e Porta Valle (The Ancient Walls of Jesi and Porta Valle)
Jesi still preserves much of its city walls, a heritage that tells the story of the city’s defensive vocation and traces its urban roots. Walking along the route of the walls means following an itinerary that embraces the historic center and reveals its original structure.
In some sections, the walls overlook panoramic views, offering an open view of the Marche countryside and the hills that surround the city.
Porta Valle, one of the ancient access gates, is one of the most scenic points of the route and represents an important junction for those who wish to explore Jesi on foot. The walk is simple, accessible and allows you to experience the city from an unusual perspective.
| TICKET PRICE | Free |
| HOW TO BOOK | Open access |
| HOW TO GET THERE FROM THE CENTER | Discover the route |
15. Palazzo Balleani
Among the noble buildings that dot the historic center, Palazzo Balleani stands out for its elegant sobriety and its deep connection with the city’s history.
Located in a central position, the palace was the residence of one of Jesi’s most influential families and still today tells, through its halls and decorations, a lifestyle made of prestige and relationships with local power. The architecture, while without excess, reveals attention to detail that reflects the refined taste of the era.
| TICKET PRICE | Included in Palazzo Pianetti ticket |
| HOW TO BOOK | Open access |
| HOW TO GET THERE FROM THE CENTER | Discover the route |
16. Casa Museo Colocci Vespucci (Colocci Vespucci House Museum)
The Casa Museo Colocci Vespucci offers one of the most interesting glimpses into aristocratic life in Jesi between the 17th and 18th centuries. The rooms have been carefully preserved and tell the story of the daily life of a cultured family, connected to the literary and cultural circles of the time.
Among original furnishings, frescoed ceilings and period living rooms, you breathe an authentic atmosphere that allows you to imagine the slow rhythm of days spent between readings, meetings and political commitments. The museum itinerary, curated and engaging, provides a vivid portrait of a house that was also a place of ideas, conversations and choices that contributed to the formation of Jesi’s cultural identity.
| TICKET PRICE | COMBINED TICKET COST TO VISIT MULTIPLE MUSEUMS
FULL PRICE: € 15 REDUCED: € 10 (children/youth from 6 to 25 years, groups min. 15 people) FAMILY: € 30 FREE: children up to 5 years, registered journalists, qualified tour guides, disabled and companions. |
| HOW TO BOOK | Open access |
| HOW TO GET THERE FROM THE CENTER | Discover the route |
Ideas for What to Do Around Jesi
Leaving the boundaries of the historic center, the territory around Jesi opens up into a variety of landscapes and offerings: villages nestled among the hills, castles that tell centuries of history, orderly vineyards that produce wines appreciated well beyond regional borders, and coastal locations where the sea meets Marche hospitality.
Castelli di Jesi (Castles of Jesi)
The Castelli di Jesi are not simple fortifications, but small centers that preserve the rural soul of this part of Le Marche. They are a collection of medieval villages, each with its own identity, built to defend the valley and today united by an invisible thread made of landscapes, traditions and wine culture. These places still preserve their original forms today, with towers, walls and squares that overlook open panoramas.
A complete visit to the Castles translates into an itinerary that includes stops in historic centers, meetings with local producers and tastings that tell the deep connection between this land and Verdicchio, the wine symbol of Jesi and its territory.
The Wine Villages
Some villages stand out for the central role they have always played in Marche viticulture.
Staffolo, nestled on a hill overlooking the Esino valley, is known for its Wine Museum and for the vineyards that design the surrounding landscape; walking through the streets of the center it’s possible to encounter many small wineries still run by family management.
Cupramontana is considered the capital of Verdicchio and hosts every year the famous Sagra dell’Uva (Grape Festival), which animates its streets with music, exhibitions and tastings. The historic center also houses ancient cellars carved into the rock, partially visitable with guided tours.
Morro d’Alba, finally, is the cradle of Lacrima, an intense red wine that is born in an orderly and silent landscape, dotted with stone houses and views over the hills. Here wine is not only produced, but lived as an integral part of daily life and collective memory.
Senigallia
The sea is less than half an hour from Jesi and Senigallia represents the ideal destination for those who wish to combine the culture of the hinterland with a day at the beach. The fine golden sand of the coast extends for kilometers, offering equipped beach establishments and quieter stretches where you can relax.
Among the things to see in Senigallia, it’s impossible not to mention the Rotonda a Mare (Sea Rotunda): it’s a historic bathing structure of the place, harmonious and extending over the waters, symbol of the city and hosts events, exhibitions and entertainment moments, especially during summer.
The historic center, lively and well-maintained, welcomes small markets, venues and boutiques, making even a sunset walk pleasant. During the summer months, Senigallia comes alive with musical and cultural festivals that attract visitors from throughout the region, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.
Grotte di Frasassi (Frasassi Caves)
Among the natural wonders of Le Marche, the Grotte di Frasassi occupy a place of honor, not only for their beauty, but also for the impact they can have on those who visit them.
Just over half an hour from Jesi, this extraordinary karst complex opens into an underground world made of stalactites and stalagmites, millennial columns and halls that seem sculpted by fantasy. The tourist route winds through majestic environments like the Abisso Ancona (Ancona Abyss), which amazes with its monumental dimensions, and is completed in an hour and a half of guided visit suitable even for the little ones.
The caves are easily reachable by car or train, and represent an unmissable stop for those who want to live an extraordinary experience, in contact with the modeling force of nature.
Experiences Not to Miss in Jesi
Those who arrive in Jesi don’t limit themselves to visiting monuments or strolling through the historic center: among the experiences that make the stay truly engaging, some really represent the beating heart of local identity, and deserve to be experienced with attention, letting yourself be guided by the desire to discover.
During the month of May, the Palio di San Floriano transforms Jesi into a medieval village animated by historical processions, costumed participants and scenes from life of other times. The city dresses in colorful drapes, the squares fill with music, and every corner becomes the theater of a celebration that involves citizens and visitors.
It’s not just a reenactment, but a real dive into the past, which unites history, sense of community and desire to share. The days of the Palio follow one another with games, challenges between districts, markets and tastings, offering a unique opportunity to discover the city from a different perspective.
Those who love to explore through taste, instead, find in wine a connecting thread that crosses the entire territory. The Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi is much more than a well-known label, it’s the expression of a landscape shaped by viticulture.
The hills that surround the city host various wineries where producers passionately tell their work and offer tasting itineraries that allow you to grasp every nuance of the wine, accompanied by local products and panoramas that open onto the Marche horizon.
Travel Tips for Those Who Want to Visit Jesi
Planning a stay in Jesi means choosing a different rhythm, made of explorations on foot, stops in historic cafés and afternoons immersed in the countryside. The center is easily visited, but it’s the time you decide to dedicate to details that makes the difference. For those who want to enjoy every moment in total relaxation, the ideal is to have a comfortable base, with all comforts available.
Staying in a villa with pool, just outside the city, allows you to combine the discovery of the territory with the pleasure of returning, every day, to a private and welcoming place. After a visit to the historic center or a tour among the wine villages, relaxing in the garden, taking a swim at sunset or dining outdoors becomes an integral part of the experience. The villas selected by Anita Villas offer ample spaces, privacy and environments curated in every detail, ideal both for couples seeking tranquility and for families or groups of friends.
Book now your villa with pool for an unforgettable stay in the heart of Le Marche.