Fabriano guided tour
Even back in the 14th century, Fabriano's paper mills were producing a million sheets of paper a year and it was here that watermarked paper was developed. Its paper is still used the world over for bank notes and quality art paper. So proud is the town of its traditional industry that it has dedicated an interesting modern museum to it - you'll find the Museo della Carta in the former monastery of San Domenico to the south of the town on Largo Fratelli Spacca. You can also buy Fabriano paper here.
The tour guide of Fabriano will show you the main attractions: Piazza del Comune flanked by the gothic Palazzo del Podesta' with swallow-tail battlements. Centre-stage is a smaller version of Perugia's famous fountain built at the close of the 13thC. During the walking tour of Fabriano you'll visit the Cathedral, housing a masterpiece by Orazio Gentileschi, a 17thC follower of Caravaggio who ended his days as court painter to King Charles I of England.
The town was the birthplace of Gentile da Fabriano, Italy's greatest master of the late 14thC International Gothic style of painting. You will have to make do, however, with works by his followers, best of whom was Allegretto Nuzi - you can find his work in the Pinacoteca Comunale ( Civic Gallery) in tiny Piazza Umberto I behind the main square, and in the Cathedral next door.
The guided tour of Fabriano will include the visit at two Oratories: Oratorio della Carità and Oratorio del Gonfalone. In the cultural walking tour of Fabriano you can't miss the terrific Teatro Gentile (open upon reservation).
At the end of the excursion there will be the possibility to taste the typical local salami (salame di Fabriano).
The history of Paper:
While paper was invented in China in the second century AD and brought to the Middle East in the ninth century by the Arabs, it was in Fabriano that the first paper manufacturing plant in Europe was established in the 12th century. After flourishing in the 15th century, the industry went into decline until the 18th century, when it was resurrected by Pietro Miliani, who introduced efficiency, new techniques, and commercial acumen to once again raise the town to its place as Italy's most important paper-making centre. The Fabriano craftsmen introduced a revolutionary new coating made from animal by-products to prevent the paper from going moldy; adapted a hydraulic hammer mill to replace the Arab's hand-operated wooden piston and stone mortar; and invented the watermark. Their expertise resulted in Fabriano being selected to make bank notes in 1780, not just in Italy but also beyond its borders, a function it still fulfills today in the printing of euro currency. It was also the first to produce fine quality tissue paper, and today still produces high-quality handmade paper using the same techniques as 700 years ago.
Near Fabriano
Nearby you’ll discover other tourist attractions with the tourist guide of Fabriano. We recommend:
guided tour of Serra San Quirico with its "copertelle" and the abbey of Sant'Elena;
guided tour of the ancient Roman town of Sassoferrato (“ Sentinum " );
guided tour of Arcevia and its castles ;
guided tour of Genga ;
guided tour of Jesi;
guided tour of some abbeys near Fabriano - Abbey San Biagio in Caprile , Abbey Val di Castro
For Info and booking:
Tour Guides Ancona , guided tours in Fabriano and in the province of Ancona, Sanctuary of Loreto - The Holy House of Nazareth Tourist Guides Marche;
e-mail:[email protected]
Andrea Giordani Tel +39 071 2905303 Mob +39 339 2964619
The tour guide of Fabriano will show you the main attractions: Piazza del Comune flanked by the gothic Palazzo del Podesta' with swallow-tail battlements. Centre-stage is a smaller version of Perugia's famous fountain built at the close of the 13thC. During the walking tour of Fabriano you'll visit the Cathedral, housing a masterpiece by Orazio Gentileschi, a 17thC follower of Caravaggio who ended his days as court painter to King Charles I of England.
The town was the birthplace of Gentile da Fabriano, Italy's greatest master of the late 14thC International Gothic style of painting. You will have to make do, however, with works by his followers, best of whom was Allegretto Nuzi - you can find his work in the Pinacoteca Comunale ( Civic Gallery) in tiny Piazza Umberto I behind the main square, and in the Cathedral next door.
The guided tour of Fabriano will include the visit at two Oratories: Oratorio della Carità and Oratorio del Gonfalone. In the cultural walking tour of Fabriano you can't miss the terrific Teatro Gentile (open upon reservation).
At the end of the excursion there will be the possibility to taste the typical local salami (salame di Fabriano).
The history of Paper:
While paper was invented in China in the second century AD and brought to the Middle East in the ninth century by the Arabs, it was in Fabriano that the first paper manufacturing plant in Europe was established in the 12th century. After flourishing in the 15th century, the industry went into decline until the 18th century, when it was resurrected by Pietro Miliani, who introduced efficiency, new techniques, and commercial acumen to once again raise the town to its place as Italy's most important paper-making centre. The Fabriano craftsmen introduced a revolutionary new coating made from animal by-products to prevent the paper from going moldy; adapted a hydraulic hammer mill to replace the Arab's hand-operated wooden piston and stone mortar; and invented the watermark. Their expertise resulted in Fabriano being selected to make bank notes in 1780, not just in Italy but also beyond its borders, a function it still fulfills today in the printing of euro currency. It was also the first to produce fine quality tissue paper, and today still produces high-quality handmade paper using the same techniques as 700 years ago.
Near Fabriano
Nearby you’ll discover other tourist attractions with the tourist guide of Fabriano. We recommend:
guided tour of Serra San Quirico with its "copertelle" and the abbey of Sant'Elena;
guided tour of the ancient Roman town of Sassoferrato (“ Sentinum " );
guided tour of Arcevia and its castles ;
guided tour of Genga ;
guided tour of Jesi;
guided tour of some abbeys near Fabriano - Abbey San Biagio in Caprile , Abbey Val di Castro
For Info and booking:
Tour Guides Ancona , guided tours in Fabriano and in the province of Ancona, Sanctuary of Loreto - The Holy House of Nazareth Tourist Guides Marche;
e-mail:[email protected]
Andrea Giordani Tel +39 071 2905303 Mob +39 339 2964619