Ostra, Marche

Ostra
Comune
Comune di Ostra
Coat of arms
Location of Ostra
Ostra Location of Ostra in Italy Show map of Italy Ostra Ostra (Marche) Show map of Marche
Coordinates: 43°36′53″N 13°9′33″E
Country	Italy
Region	Marche
Province	Ancona (AN)
Frazioni	Pianello, Casine, Vaccarile
Government
• Mayor	Massimo Olivetti
Area [1]
• Total	46.59 km^2 (17.99 sq mi)
Elevation	188 m (617 ft)
Population  (28 February 2009)[2]
• Total	6,718
• Density	140/km^2 (370/sq mi)
Demonym	Ostrensi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	60010
Dialing code	071
Patron saint	Gaudentius of Rimini
Saint day	October 14
Website	Official website

Ostra is a town and comune in the Marche, central Italy, near the modern Ostra Vetere, south-east of Senigallia.

The modern town is founded near the site of ancient Ostra, a Roman settlement. Its name was later changed to Montalboddo, and reverted to Ostra in 1881.

Geography

Modern Ostra lies on a hill over the Misa river valley. It is the most important town in the valley upstream from Senigallia, lying 14 kilometres (9 mi) from the Adriatic coast. Close by is the city of Jesi (18 kilometres (11 mi)), while Ancona, the capital of the Marche Region, is 40 kilometres (25 mi) away.

History

Ancient Ostra was situated between the modern town of Ostra and Ostra Vetere. It was inhabited from the 3rd century BC until the 6th century AD.

Pliny the Elder mentions Ostra with another ancient town, Suasa, 8 kilometres (5 mi) west. Neither town survived beyond the classical period. Though Ostra is little mentioned by ancient authors, excavations there have brought to light remains of various buildings and several inscriptions.

By 1520,^[3] an abbey in Senigallia housing some relics of Gaudentius of Rimini had fallen into ruin. The remains were transported to the Montalboddo, where they are still found today.^[3][4] Gaudentius remains the town's patron saint.^[3][5]

Main sights

Town Hall

Piazza dei Martiri

The town's central square is Piazza dei Martiri (Martyrs' Square). Here is the 16th century city tower, 33 metres (108 ft) high, rebuilt in the 20th century after being bombed in World War II. Here also are the town hall with its arches and its marble staircase and St Francis' Church, built in the 13th century.

Defensive wall

Defensive wall

Built in the late Middle Ages, the wall surrounding the town is perfectly preserved for a total length of 1,200 metres (3,900 ft). It has nine extant towers and two main entrances.

Madonna della Rosa Sanctuary

Located a few hundreds metres out of town, the Marian sanctuary of Madonna della Rosa is one of the most important in Italy, visited every year by many pilgrims from Italy and Europe. It was built in 1754 after Holy Mary appeared to a young girl and fosters a miraculous image of the Virgin.

Transport

The nearest railway station is that of Senigallia [it]. Ancona-Falconara Airport is 30 kilometres (19 mi) away.

Twin towns

• Markt Schwaben, Germany

References

1. "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
2. "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
3. "San Gaudenzo, un santo senza pace" [San Gaudenzo: A saint without peace]. Rimini Sparita (in Italian). 23 September 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
4. "La Gambalunga racconta: San Gaudenzio patrono di Rimini" [Gambalunga tells: Saint Gaudentius, patron saint of Rimini]. Biblioteca Civica Gambalunga (in Italian). Retrieved 11 January 2024.
5. "San Gaudenzo, storia e misteri del patrono di Rimini" [San Gaudenzo, history and mysteries of the patron saint of Rimini]. RiminiToday (in Italian). 18 October 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2024.