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. The Paper and Watermark Museum traces the town’s fascinating history of this important craft, with centuries-old machinery and well-preserved manuscripts illustrating its prominence over the ages.It is worth penetrating to the heart of the town and see the opera-set main 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. The local theatre is dedicated to Gentile da Fabriano, Italy’s greatest master of the late International Gothic style of painting, born in Fabriano in 1375. Works by one of his followers, Allegretto Nuzi – can be found in the Pinacoteca Comunale and in the Duomo next door.Also in the Duomo are handsome frescoes by Orazio Gentileschi, follower of Caravaggio who ended his days as court painter to King Charles I of England.
Adriatic-Route for Thematic Tourism
