At a glance
- Municipality: Pesaro (hamlet)
- Altitude: 200 metres
- Distance from Vallugola: 2 km
- Distance from Pesaro: 11 km
- Access to the historic centre: pedestrian, car park at the entrance
- Visit: 1 hour for village and sanctuary, half a day with the descent to the beach
- Beach: yes, but reachable only on foot with 200 m elevation change
The Sanctuary of the Most Holy Crucifix
The sanctuary is the main building of the village, Romanesque in origin, documented from the eleventh century onwards. It holds the fifteenth-century wooden Crucifix known as the "Crucifix that came from the sea", at the heart of local devotion.
The legend of the Crucifix
Tradition, described on a plaque of 1652 inside the church, tells that the crucifix reached Casteldimezzo after a shipwreck in the early years of the sixteenth century. The chest containing it washed up on the beach between Casteldimezzo and Fiorenzuola di Focara, and the dispute between the two villages over who had the right to keep it was settled by divine lot: loaded onto an ox-drawn cart, the crucifix was set free, and the oxen made straight for Casteldimezzo without hesitation, halting in front of the church.
The miracle of 1517
The best-known episode in the tradition dates from 6 May 1517. During the siege of the village by the troops of Lorenzo de' Medici, the inhabitants, at the end of their strength, turned to the Crucifix and were given as a sign the appearance of a spring of water within the walls, which allowed them to hold out until the besiegers withdrew. A plaque inside the church records the episode.
Other works in the sanctuary
- Altarpiece by Francesco Zaganelli da Cotignola (dated around 1510), depicting the Madonna enthroned with the Child between Saints Apollinaris and Christopher
- Relics of Saint Victoria, a third-century martyr, kept since 1871 in a decorated sarcophagus
In 1782 Pope Pius VI granted plenary indulgence to visitors of the sanctuary on any day of the year. The Feast of the Crucifix is celebrated every year on Easter Monday, with a procession through the streets of the village.
What to see in the village
The surviving tower. Of the many towers that once marked the medieval walls, only one remains today, on the edge of the historic core. The walls were restored in 2009.
The historic centre. It still has its sixteenth-century paving of hand-squared cobbles. The narrow streets wind around the sanctuary and the small main square.
The panoramic belvederes. From the parvis of the sanctuary and the edges of the walls, the view on clear days takes in the coastline from Fano to Ravenna and, inland, as far as the castle of Gradara, Monte San Marino and Monte Catria.
The Devil's Peak. A rocky spur emerging from the sea at the foot of the cliff, visible from the belvedere. Popular tradition associates it with a gathering of witches on the night between 30 April and 1 May.
The beach of Casteldimezzo
Below the village, reachable only on foot with 200 metres of elevation change, lies a small pebble beach, with no services. It suits those looking for isolation and those who snorkel over rocky seabeds.
Not a casual destination, and not suited to families with small children. For details on access and equipment, see the dedicated page: Beach of Casteldimezzo.
Eating at Casteldimezzo
The village has several panoramic restaurants with tables facing the sea and the inland landscape. They are especially popular at sunset and for outdoor summer dining. The cooking is generally Marche traditional, with seafood dishes and dishes from the inland hills.
How to get to Casteldimezzo from Vallugola
By car. Strada della Vallugola uphill to the SP 44 Panoramica, then the Panoramica southbound for about 2 km, turn-off for Casteldimezzo. Car park at the village entrance, pedestrian historic centre. Time: 10-15 minutes.
On foot. From the harbour of Vallugola, path 151d uphill and path 151 southbound for about 1.5 km. Alternatively, path 156 which from Case Badioli descends to Casteldimezzo via Colombarone. Time: 60-90 minutes, elevation 200 metres.
By bicycle. Along the SP 44 Panoramica, closed to traffic on Sunday mornings in high season.
What to see nearby
- Vallugola at 2 km: harbour, bay, equipped beach
- Fiorenzuola di Focara at 2 km: Dantean village, Sorbini Museum
- Colombarone at 1 km: archaeological site of the late-Roman villa
- Gabicce Monte at 4 km: belvedere and restaurants
- Gradara at 8 km: medieval fortress visible from the belvedere
