Discovering Dante’s places – 700 years after the death of the Supreme Poet among the circles, from hell to heaven

Arrival in Gradara in the early afternoon, theater of the tormented love of Paolo and Francesca, and of one of the most famous verses of hell (Amor, ch’a nullo amato amar perdona), the song V. Still today the castle, located on the top from which you can admire an enchanting panorama, it is considered one of the most romantic places in Italy. Meeting with the guide to immerse ourselves in an itinerary among towers, alleys, churches and curiosities of the history of Paolo and Francesca. Continue to the village of Fiorenzuola di Focara (linked to the figure of Malatestino the Guercio brother of Paolo and Gianciotto guilty of the end of Guido del Cassero and Angiolello da Carignano closed in a sack with a large stone and thrown into the sea-Hell, XXVIII). This small village overlooking the sea is accessed by a door in the walls that recalls the passage of the great poet Dante Alighieri. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Urbino which Guido da Montefeltro, a shrewd and astute man, conquered. Dante mentions it in canto XXVII of Hell, reserved for fraudulent advisers. The fortified city, commissioned by Federico da Montefeltro, is a World Heritage Site. Meeting with the guide to visit the Palazzo Ducale, Renaissance excellence, the House of Raffaello Sanzio and the Oratory of San Giovanni. Lunch during the excursion. In the afternoon, continue to Castello della Pieve, a small village perched where Carlo di Valois and Corso Donati decreed Dante’s exile from Florence. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we leave the infernal circles and enter purgatory, precisely in San Leo (canto IV). Meeting with the guide and visit of the fortress which rises on top of a rocky spur. The count of Cagliostro was also segregated in his cells as a heretic. Visit of the Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta, the oldest cult building in Montefeltro. At the end, the itinerary continues in the direction of Fano where Dante in canto V is moved by his tragic fate and speaks with the soul of Jacopo del Cassero. Guided tour of the center and the Malatesta Fortress. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. We leave purgatory to enter paradise and head to Senigallia (XVI Canto). The topic dealt with is that of the urbanization of “uncivilized” peasants and the subsequent mixture, the fear that the city of Florence could suffer uncontrolled immigration just like in Senigallia and Urbisaglia. Meeting with the guide and visit of the center of Senigallia and the Rocca Roveresca, one of the best preserved lowland fortresses, time available for a walk along the seafront where it will be possible to visit the famous Rotonda a Mare. Lunch during the excursion. In the early afternoon, transfer to Urbisaglia to visit the archaeological park and the medieval fortress. At the end, return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. The journey ends at Fonte Avellana (XXI Canto) where Dante speaks with the spirit of St. Pier Damiani who describes the hermitage where he retired to a contemplative life. Located on the wooded slopes of Mount Catria, its origins date back to the end of the 10th century, when some hermits chose to build the first cells of a hermitage which over the centuries will become the current monastery. Today the complex consists of a large square that gives access to the church with an elevated presbytery on the 11th century crypt; it is the oldest part of the architectural complex, together with the cloister and the scriptorium dating back to the 12th century. Transfer to Frontone for lunch in his castle. End of services.