Ostra, Marche
| Ostra | ||
|---|---|---|
| Comune | ||
| Comune di Ostra | ||
 | ||
| ||
  Ostra Location of Ostra in Italy | ||
| Coordinates: 43°36′53″N 13°9′33″E / 43.61472°N 13.15917°E | ||
| Country | Italy | |
| Region | Marche | |
| Province | Ancona (AN) | |
| Frazioni | Pianello, Casine, Vaccarile | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Massimo Olivetti | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 46.59 km2 (17.99 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 188 m (617 ft) | |
| Population (28 February 2009) | ||
| • Total | 6,718 | |
| • Density | 140/km2 (370/sq mi) | |
| Demonym | Ostrensi | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| Postal code | 60010 | |
| Dialing code | 071 | |
| Patron saint | St. Gaudenzio | |
| Saint day | October 14 | |
| Website | Official website | |
Ostra is a town and comune in the Marche, central Italy, near the modern Ostra Vetere, south-east of Senigallia.
The original name of the town was Montalboddo. In 1881 the name was changed to Ostra, like the ancient Roman city located near the modern town of Ostra.
Ancient Ostra
Ancient Ostra was situated between the modern town of Ostra and Ostra Vetere and was inhabited from the 3rd century BC until the 6th century AD.
Pliny the Elder mentions Ostra with another ancient town, Suasa, 8 kilometres (5 mi) west. Neither town survived beyond the classical period. Though Ostra is little mentioned by ancient authors, excavations there have brought to light remains of various buildings and several inscriptions.
Geography
Modern Ostra lies on a hill over the Misa river valley, in a typical Italian country landscape. It is the most important town in the hinterland of Senigallia, only 14 kilometres (9 mi) from the Adriatic coast. Close by is the city of Jesi (18 km), while Ancona, the capital of the Marche Region, is 40 kilometres (25 mi) away.
The nearest railway station is that of Senigallia, while the Raffaello Sanzio Airport (Ancona-Falconara) is 30 kilometres (19 mi) away.
Main sights
Piazza dei Martiri
At the heart of the town is Piazza dei Martiri (Martyrs' square) the most important square in the town. Here is the 16th century city tower, 33 metres (108 ft) high, rebuilt in the 20th century after being bombed in World War II. Here also are the municipal building with its arches and its marble staircase and the St. Francis' Church, built in the 13th century.
Defensive wall
Built in the late Middle Ages the wall surrounding the town is perfectly preserved for a total length of 1,200 metres (3,900 ft). It still has nine great towers and two main entrances.
Madonna della Rosa Sanctuary
Located a few hundreds metres out of town, this Sanctuary devoted to Holy Mary is one of the most important in Italy, visited every year by many pilgrims coming both from Italy and Europe. It has been built in 1754 after Holy Mary appeared to a young girl and fosters a miraculous image of the Virgin.
