THE GAL PICENO TERRITORY

The territory involved in the project Leader + lies between the Adriatic Coast and the Sibillini and the Laga Mountains, comprehending 43 major towns on the mountains and hills and a population of more than 73,000 inhabitants.

The territory is characterised by a landscape of remarkable beauty with its intermingle of mountains, hills and valleys.

These peculiar features are the reason for a consistent tourist attraction. To this we should add the social-economical elements as well as the architectural heritage and the handicraft and culinary products of the region.

The landscape is characterised by the three valleys of the Tesino river in the south, the river Aso in the middle, the river Tenna in the north, and the Sibillini and Laga Mountains in the west. The landscape is embellished by picturesque ancient towns placed on top of the hills, as if watchful of the underlying beautifully and wisely cultivated valleys and fields.

The modern urban settlements are visible everywhere, but they did not modify the landscape. This has been possible thanks to a wise sense of respect towards the environment. The cultivation of the fields changes depending on the seasons: grapes, olives, fruit, cereals, creating an amazing variety of colours and scents; in the valleys is to be found high-specialised cultivation of vegetables.

Together with the agricultural activities, we find in the region the production of agricultural food: delicatessen (mostly of pork-meat), cheese, oven products, preserved fruit and vegetables, honey, organic products, olive oil, wine and truffles.

The recuperation of buildings and facilities that express the real meaning of the rural life, the recovery of ancient work activities, the spirit of hospitality that is common in the families of the Piceno, all these are a remarkable element of diversification and source of income for many local families.

EVENTS OF THE WEEK