Artiturismo - Borgo dell'Artiturismo of Ripe San Ginesio

The first 'Artiturismo' village in Italy

In May 2026, Ripe San Ginesio, a small municipality in the Val di Fiastra, province of Macerata, became the first 'Artiturismo' village in Italy. This recognition celebrates a community rich in excellent micro-enterprises and "skilled hands," as Mayor Paolo Teodori recalled during the inauguration. The initiative is promoted by the Marche Region and developed by Confartigianato Imprese Macerata-Ascoli Piceno-Fermo along with the municipal administration.

What is 'Artiturismo'?

'Artiturismo' is an innovative model of widespread hospitality that places craftsmanship at the heart of the tourist experience. Travelers are no longer distant observers; they enter workshops, interact with artisans, observe the craftspeople's movements, and learn their techniques and traditions. Artisan businesses are recognized as true cultural and productive strongholds, organized into a network of qualified hospitality through a dedicated regional registry. It's an idea that enhances inland areas and small towns, offering an authentic alternative to mass tourism.

The Inaugural Weekend

The launch event took place on Saturday, May 9th, and Sunday, May 10th, 2026, from morning to evening, with a rich program of events. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Saturday at 10:30 AM in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, followed at 11:00 AM by the presentation conference with local authorities. Throughout the two days, the artisan workshops in the historic center opened their doors to the public with themed workshops and live demonstrations.

• Open workshops and themed activities with the village artisans, including the ethical tailoring shop Ètico Sartoria by Marta Baldassarri
• Guided tours of the historic center and local sites
• Excursions and bike tours in the landscape of the Val di Fiastra
• Tastings of typical local products
• Inaugural conference with Mayor Paolo Teodori, Confartigianato leaders (Enzo Mengoni and Giorgio Menichelli), and institutional representatives

A Village Reborn

Ripe San Ginesio is one of the small towns in the Marche region affected by the 2016 earthquake and is now at the forefront of a path to rebirth. 'Artiturismo' is part of this regeneration process: as Giorgio Menichelli emphasized, "'Artiturismo' is one of the opportunities that enables a village to be visited." It's a model that intertwines craftsmanship, slow tourism, and community identity, making Ripe San Ginesio a pilot laboratory for the entire region.