Rocca e Bottega

Rocca e Bottega: a Friday within Offagna's walls

There's a slow and authentic way to get to know Offagna, one of the most beautiful villages in the province of Ancona, overlooking the gentle hills sloping down towards Monte Conero. It's called Rocca e Bottega, and it's the cultural event that every Friday, from June to September, transforms the small Marche municipality into an experiential journey through history and artisan crafts.

The initiative, promoted by the Polo Museale Offagna together with the association Offagna Crea Arti & Mestieri, is not a food festival or a street party: it is a recurring cultural event that intertwines a visit to the fortress with the life of the village's workshops, in an experience designed for those who love discovering places at a leisurely pace.

The Rocca, the medieval heart of the village

The tour begins at 5:30 PM at the Rocca di Offagna, an imposing 15th-century fortress that dominates the town and the entire valley. During the guided tour, you'll walk through rooms and walkways, admire the views stretching from the Adriatic to the Sibillini Mountains, and hear curiosities and legends related to the manor. It's the ideal starting point to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the medieval village before descending into its streets.

The workshops and artisan crafts

After the visit to the fortress, participants are guided through the artisan workshops set up in the historic center. This is where the village reveals its creative soul, with activities ranging from the most ancient techniques to contemporary ones. Among the experiences offered on different evenings:

• Gold art and goldsmithing
• Mosaic, ceramics, and pottery wheel work
• Weaving and hand-spun wool
• Calligraphy, graphics, and printing
• Painting, decoration, and art restoration
• Woodworking, sculpture, and medieval symbols
• Nature photography and scented candle making

Each Friday, the program features different workshops, so those who return multiple times during the summer can discover a new craft each time.

Offagna and its summer culture

Rocca e Bottega is part of a rich summer calendar, which in Offagna also includes the wine tourism route Rocca da Bere and the famous Medieval Festivals in July. For visitors, it's an opportunity to experience a village in the Marche region away from the main tourist crowds, amidst art, landscapes, and the hospitality of a small community that has made craftsmanship a source of pride.