Ostra, Marche

Ostra
—  Comune  —
Comune di Ostra
Coat of arms
Ostra Location of Ostra in Italy
Coordinates: 43°36′53″N 13°9′33″E / 43.61472°N 13.15917°E / 43.61472; 13.15917
Country	Italy
Region	Marche
Province	Ancona (AN)
Frazioni	Pianello, Casine, Vaccarile
Government
– Mayor	Massimo Olivetti
Area
– Total	46.59 km2 (18 sq mi)
Elevation	188 m (617 ft)
Population (28 February 2009)
– Total	6,718
– Density	144.2/km2 (373.5/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.

Geography

Ostra lies on a hill over the Misa river valley, in typical Italian country landscape. It is the most important town in the hinterland of Senigallia, only 14 km from the Adriatic coast. Close by is the city of Jesi (18 km), while Ancona, the capital of the region Marche, is 40 km away.

The nearest railway station is that of Senigallia, while the Raffaello Sanzio Airport (Ancona-Falconara) is 30 km away.

Main sights

Town Hall.

Piazza dei Martiri

At the heart of the town is Piazza dei Martiri (Martyrs' square) the most important square in the town. Here you can find the 16th century City Tower (33 meters high), rebuilt in the 20th century after being bombed in World War II, the Municipal Building with its arches and its marble staircase and the St. Francis' Church, built in the 13th century.

Defensive wall

Defensive wall

Built in the late Middle Ages the wall surrounding the town is perfectly preserved for a total length of 1,200 meters. 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.

Twin towns

• Markt Schwaben, Germany