The Metauro and the valley of gold

The Alpe della Luna, with its extraordinary generosity of springs, has also influenced the fate of the Marche, originating its longest river: the Metauro.
The torrent Auro, which joins the Meta (p.o. Borgo Pace) generate the river that has marked the history and development of this part of Italy. Without a doubt, the Metauro valley is one of the healthiest and most hospitable in Italy; the extremely heterogeneous scenery from the mountains to the sea, mute from the arenaceous and marly rocks covered with dense forests of oaks, black poplars, red and white willows and spectacular soft hills dotted with fields, up to the Adriatic.
There are so many itineraries for these lands; a thousand and more glimpses in which to get lost observing such a generous nature.
River route. The Metauro is first in offering suggestive gorghe and waterfalls, potholes and canyons. Starting from the source, which crosses the last outpost of the Municipality of Badia Tedalda, descending through Parchiule, it is mandatory to swim in the golden waters, regenerate and continue towards Borgo Pace, an island between the two streams. The game of water is suggestive, the gushes follow each other and waterfalls are the destination for rafting in the winter months. At Sant'Angelo the "Balza del Metauro" is the largest waterfall of the river: 12 meters high and 60 wide, considered one of the ten most beautiful in Italy. Follow the "Sandstones of Urbania" (pronounced meanders of arenaceous rocks) but the millenary work of erosion of water becomes art in Fossombrone, showing us a deep fracture that splits the rock and falls down under the river; around hanging terraces and vaults. Worthy of note is the Gola del Furlo Nature Reserve, where the tributary of the Metauro, Il Candigliano, creates a unique example from the canyons in Italy and a protected oasis for eagles, deer, elk and roe deer.
Taking up again for Fano, the forest of the Torre Romana between S.Ippolito and Serrungarina, shelter of herons and kingfisher is wonderful in every season.
History itineraries. "All roads lead to Rome" famous and relevant phrase for these lands, crossed by one of the 8 Roman consular roads: the Flaminia. The Romans left a profound mark on these lands, building domus and thermal baths that can still be visited today, important architectural works such as aqueducts bridges, walls, galleries and triumphal arches.
 Famous is the Metauro in all the books for the battle that in 207 BC. (Punic war) brought the first victory for Rome with the famous killing on the battlefield of Asdrubale. Starting from Fano, the Arch of Augustus is impressive, skirt the walls and cross Porta della Mandria and then discover the underground city. Continuing to Fossombrone obligatory stop is the ancient Forum Semproni that shows villas, mosaics and thermal complexes; but also Sant'Angelo in Vado is guardian of beautiful mosaics (Domus del Mito). The extraordinary grandeur of the Roman people is also evident in the tunnels dug in the impervious Gola del Furlo, considered today the first road tunnels in history.
Renaissance.
This territory, straddling the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, was studded by the Appenino all'Adriatico, of fortresses and austere castles by the Malatesta family. The military structure of the castles saw a deep spring with the Montefeltro, the Della Rovere and the Urbino Renaissance; from austere places they became splendid palaces, rich in friezes and embellished with bricks. Squares, streets, churches were rebuilt under the concept of Città Ideale by Piero della Francesca. Mandatory stage? Urbino. Beyond its incomparable beauty, where every corner has been preserved intact, Fossombrone is interesting with its Corte Alta and Corte Bassa, residences of the dukes themselves and its fifteenth-century rusticated buildings. The dukes have this unique territory in Italy, creating cities of art rich in beauty and Renaissance culture scattered throughout the territory. Remarkable is the Barco di Urbania and the ducal palace; the nearby Sant'Angelo shows noble palaces and notable villages to visit are Montefelcino, Mondavio, Saltara and San Giorgio di Pesaro.