A land to discover

Apecchio has always stood out for its great energy, initiative, and creativity. So much so that, despite being nestled in a hidden region, it has successfully harnessed two of its most defining elements—the pristine water flowing from Mount Nerone and a climate perfectly suited for growing high-quality barley—which have enabled the town to host two internationally renowned breweries. This is why Apecchio proudly holds the title of the very first Italian City of Beer.

Apecchio: where nature, history, and authentic flavors meet

An authentic village where nature, culture, and flavor meet. Capital of Alogastronomy (beer gastronomy) and City of Beer, Apecchio blends pristine landscapes with culinary excellence, including truffles, local cheeses, cured meats, and Bostrengo. A destination to experience slowly, in every season, letting yourself be surprised by its harmony of nature, culture, and taste.

Where we are

Apecchio is an enchanting village nestled among the rolling hills of the Marche, in the heart of the Umbria-Marche Apennines. Situated at an altitude of 493 meters and covering an area of over 100 square kilometers, its territory is defined by pristine nature, lush woodlands, and the rivers that wind through it, such as the Biscubio and Menatoio. Dominating the landscape is the majestic Mount Nerone (1,526 m), an ideal destination for hiking, outdoor sports, and breathtaking panoramic views. Thanks to its strategic position on the border between Marche and Umbria, Apecchio is also an excellent starting point for exploring some of Central Italy’s most beautiful art cities: Urbino (48 km), Gradara (95 km), Frasassi (75 km), Città di Castello (27 km), Gubbio (60 km), Perugia (80 km), Arezzo (65 km), and even Florence (148 km).

How to get here

🚗 By car:
Easily accessible from the north (A14 highway, Fano exit) and from the south (A1 highway, Arezzo exit), following the signs for Città di Castello – Apecchio.

🚌 By bus:
Daily services from Pesaro, Urbino, and Città di Castello.

🚂 By train:
Closest train stations: Pesaro, Fano, or Città di Castello, with connecting services by bus or car.

📍 GPS Coordinates:
43.5771° N, 12.4023° E

Surrounding villages

Serravalle di Carda

Situated at 750 meters above sea level, the village clings to one of the slopes of Mount Nerone, overlooking the legendary Byzantine Corridor with an enviable southern exposure. It lies almost on the border with Umbria, just 11 km from the main town of Apecchio. The settlement developed around the year 1000 near the old parish church. In 1145, Pope Eugene III placed it under the direct protection of the Holy See. In 1237, the village was returned to the municipality of Cagli before passing into the hands of the Ubaldini della Carda family, Counts of Apecchio, and subsequently becoming part of the Duchy of Urbino. Following the end of the Della Rovere lineage and the devolution of the duchy to the direct control of the Church in 1631, Serravalle di Carda became an autonomous community and administrative seat under the Apostolic Legation of Urbino and Pesaro. With the unification of Italy in 1861, the municipality of Serravalle di Carda was dissolved and merged into that of Apecchio. Today, tourism is one of the main economic resources of this ancient rural village, as it is located along the road leading to the summit of Mount Nerone and its ski slopes. In summer, it is the ideal starting point for trekking, horseback riding, and mountain biking enthusiasts, while in winter—snow permitting—it offers downhill skiing as well as beautiful, exciting snowshoe excursions. Hospitality is guaranteed by numerous hotels, agriturismi, country houses, and vacation homes, accompanied by several renowned eateries where you can savor the typical dishes of the Marche hinterland. This genuine, flavorful local cuisine, carrying the taste of ancient times, offers the perfect replenishment for those who have spent the day enjoying the nature, fresh air, and woodlands that once served as the hunting grounds of the Dukes of Urbino. The village is also famous for its Coradella d’Agnello (lamb offal), a recipe recognized under the De.C.O. denomination by the Municipality of Apecchio. The most important event of the year is the Passio, a historical and religious re-enactment of the Passion and Death of Christ held on Good Friday. Since 1979, the Pro-Loco of Serravalle di Carda has been passionately dedicated to its production. Just 5.0 km from Serravalle di Carda lies the hamlet of Valdara, nestled on the northern slopes of the Serra ridge at 615 meters above sea level, where a beautifully restored little church can be found.

Colombara

The hamlet of Colombara is famous for its Guinness World Record-breaking Globe. The Globe of Peace (Mappamondo della Pace) is a masterpiece built entirely of wood by the surveyor Orfeo Bartolucci (1924–2011) and is located in the hamlet of Colombara. Following a visit to the Doge’s Palace in Genoa in the 1970s, where he was deeply impressed by a 2-meter-diameter globe on display, he decided to build a similar but much larger one: 10 meters in diameter. Divided into three internal floors, it is nestled within the park of the same name and can accommodate about 600 people. The work was inaugurated in 1988, after five years of construction carried out in secret—largely by Orfeo Bartolucci himself. The name he chose, “Mappamondo della pace” (Globe of Peace), was intended as a wish for harmony and peace among all peoples. The structure is made of wood, while the Earth’s surface is made of hand-painted fiberglass. It has a circumference of 31 meters and weighs 180 tons. It is also equipped with two motors that allow the globe to rotate. Surrounding this creation is a true “art park,” featuring a tower-fountain, a representation of the Moon, a tree crafted from 150,000 buttons, an underground museum housing various collections and gathered objects, and a cable-suspended bridge—called the “Bridge of Courage”—which leads to the structure. At the time the Globe of Peace was built, the size record belonged to a globe located at Babson College in Massachusetts (USA), which had a diameter of 8 meters. Bartolucci decided to break the record by creating a 10-meter-diameter globe, thus entering the Guinness Book of World Records. It remained the largest in the world from 1988 (the year of its construction) until 1998, when it was surpassed by Eartha—12.5 meters in diameter—located in Yarmouth, Maine, USA. Currently, due to safety reasons, it is closed to the public and can only be viewed from the outside.

Osteria Nuova, Pietragialla e Taverna

Osteria di Pietragialla, Osteria Nuova, and Taverna are three small clusters of houses located a short distance from each other along the valley of the Biscubio stream, upstream from Apecchio, on the Apecchiese Road that leads to Bocca Serriola. Located in Osteria Nuova is the church dedicated to Santo Stefano in Alboreto, featuring a single nave and a historic bell gable.