Ancona history

The history of Ancona dates back to ancient times. The city was founded around 387 BC by Greek colonists from Syracuse who were seeking a new place to live away from the political turmoil of their homeland. The city's name comes from the Greek word Ankon, which translates as "elbow". This toponym did not arise by chance: the promontory on which the settlement is located has a characteristic curved shape, resembling a bent arm and creating natural protection for the harbour.

The transformation of a small Greek settlement into a significant ancient centre was driven by several important factors:

• Unique geography: Ancona possesses one of the finest natural harbours on the Adriatic coast of Italy, which determined its destiny as a sea port from the very beginning.
• Strategic position: The city served as an ideal point for maritime trade with Dalmatia and the Eastern Mediterranean.
• Political status: In the Roman era, Ancona became a crucial naval base and the empire's key "gateway" to the East, especially during the time of Emperor Trajan, who significantly expanded the port.

In the first centuries of its existence, Ancona retained a distinct Greek character, including language, coins, and cultural traditions, even after falling under the sphere of influence of Rome. The economy of the early city flourished not only through transit trade but also through local production: the region was famous for the manufacture of high-quality purple dye for fabrics and the production of wine, which was highly valued in the ancient world.

Key Milestones in the History of Ancona

The city's rich past is reflected in a series of events that transformed it from a Greek colony into a modern Italian port.

• Approx. 387 BC — Greek colonists from Syracuse found the city, utilizing the natural harbour to create a trading outpost.
• 115 AD — In honour of Emperor Trajan, who expanded the port at his own expense, a marble triumphal arch is erected on the quayside.
• 11th Century — Ancona proclaims itself an independent maritime republic and begins an active rivalry with Venice for dominance in the Adriatic.
• 1173 — The city withstands a long and difficult siege by the imperial troops of Frederick Barbarossa, preserving its freedom.
• 1532 — Papal troops occupy Ancona, and the city officially becomes part of the Papal States, losing its status as an independent republic.
• 1733 — Architect Luigi Vanvitelli begins construction of the famous Lazzaretto (Mole Vanvitelliana) on an artificial pentagonal island.
• 1797 — The city is occupied by French troops, after which the Anconine Republic is briefly proclaimed.
• 1860 — Following the Battle of Castelfidardo and a naval blockade, Ancona joins the future Kingdom of Italy.
• 1944 — Troops of the Polish II Corps liberate the city, which held strategic importance as a port, from German occupation.
• 1982 — A major landslide ("Frana di Ancona") causes serious damage to residential districts, leading to a large-scale reconstruction of urban infrastructure.

Stages of Development and Transformation of Ancona

The history of Ancona is a series of rises, destructions, and large-scale reconstructions. The city has repeatedly changed its appearance and economic vector, adapting to new realities. Below are the key stages that defined the modern look and character of the capital of the Marche region.

• Trajan's Imperial Modernization (2nd century AD).
  This period marked the first urban planning boom. Emperor Trajan turned Ancona into Rome's main maritime gateway to the East. New moles were built and the harbour was expanded, securing the city's status as a vital logistical hub of the empire. Significance: formation of the port structure that is still used today.
• Era of the Free Port and Rivalry with Venice (11th–15th centuries).
  Becoming a maritime republic, Ancona minted its own currency (the agontano) and created a code of maritime laws. The city developed as a trade intermediary between East and West, despite fierce competition with Venice. Significance: economic flourishing and the formation of a unique cultural code combining Italian and Byzantine traditions.
• Vanvitelli's Urban Reform (18th century).
  Pope Clement XII granted Ancona the status of a "porto franco" (free economic zone) to revitalize trade. Architect Luigi Vanvitelli completely reimagined the coastal zone, building the famous pentagonal Lazzaretto and the New Mole. Significance: transformation of the city into a modern European trade centre for that time and architectural renewal of the waterfront.
• Militarization after the Unification of Italy (after 1860).
  Upon entering the Kingdom of Italy, Ancona received the status of a "first-class fortress". The city was significantly fortified, forts and barracks were built, and residential development expanded beyond the ancient walls for the first time. Significance: change in urban layout with a focus on defence and the beginning of the city's modern expansion inland.
• Post-War Reconstruction (mid-20th century).
  During World War II, Ancona suffered devastating bombings that destroyed about 70% of the historic centre. Subsequent restoration proceeded rapidly, often at the expense of historical authenticity, but allowed life to return to the city. Significance: complete renewal of housing stock and creation of modern infrastructure on the site of ruins.
• Overcoming the "Great Landslide" (after 1982).
  The catastrophic Bardetto landslide forced a review of safety principles. Dangerous areas were evacuated, and the city began to grow in new, geologically stable directions. Significance: emergence of new residential districts and a shift of the centre of gravity of city life from unstable slopes to safer zones.

Architectural Eclecticism: From Antiquity to Modernity

The urban appearance of Ancona resembles a layered mosaic, where each era has left its distinct mark. Due to the strategic position of the port and the complex terrain, the city developed like an amphitheatre facing the sea. The architecture of Ancona is a combination of strict Roman classics, medieval austerity, and elegant 18th-century solutions, stitched together by modern development that appeared after the destruction of World War II.

The city's main architectural landmarks and styles can be divided into the following stages:

• Antiquity and the Roman Period (1st–2nd centuries AD)
  The most striking evidence of this era is the Arch of Trajan (Arco di Traiano). Built of Turkish marble, it represents a standard of Roman classical architecture. Elegant and austere, the arch is devoid of lavish decoration, emphasizing its monumentality and the engineering perfection of ancient builders.
• Middle Ages: Romanesque Style and Byzantine Influence (11th–13th centuries)
  The symbol of the city, the Cathedral of San Ciriaco (Duomo di San Ciriaco), rising on Guasco Hill, demonstrates a unique synthesis of styles. Its appearance combines Romanesque solidity (massive walls, rounded arches) and a Byzantine layout in the form of a Greek cross. Another important example is the church of Santa Maria della Piazza with its characteristic Romanesque facade decorated with blind arches.
• Gothic and Venetian Influence (14th–15th centuries)
  The period of maritime trade prosperity gifted the city the Loggia dei Mercanti. Its facade is executed in the style of "flowery" Venetian Gothic, distinguished by openwork decoration, pointed arches, and statues, which emphasized the wealth of the merchant class of that time. The facade of the Palazzo degli Anziani also belongs to this period.
• Baroque and Neoclassicism: The Era of Vanvitelli (18th century)
  In the 18th century, Pope Clement XII commissioned architect Luigi Vanvitelli to modernize the port. This led to the appearance of iconic structures in late Baroque and early Classicism styles. The main masterpiece is the Mole Vanvitelliana (Lazzaretto), a huge pentagonal building on an artificial island. The Clementine Arch and the Chiesa del Gesù (Church of Jesus) with its curved facade, characteristic of Baroque dynamics, also belong to this period.
• 19th Century and Risorgimento (Eclecticism)
  After the unification of Italy, the city expanded, and wide avenues and squares appeared, such as Piazza Cavour. The architecture of this time gravitated towards Neoclassicism, an example of which is the Teatro delle Muse with its monumental portico and Ionic columns.
• 20th Century: Modernism and Rationalism
  In the 1930s, during the Fascist era, the majestic Monument to the Fallen (Monumento ai Caduti) was built in the Passetto district. This is a striking example of Italian Rationalism: white stone forms, strict geometry, and openness to the sea. Post-war development, unfortunately, often had a chaotic character, filling the voids left by bombings with simple functional concrete buildings.

Distinguished Figures of Ancona

The fates of many figures whose names have entered the history of science, art, and law are linked to Ancona. Below are the most significant persons born here or who played a key role in the city's development.

• Stamira (12th century)
  Folk Heroine.
  A legendary woman who became a symbol of courage and self-sacrifice. During the difficult siege of Ancona by the troops of Frederick Barbarossa in 1173, she risked her life to set fire to enemy siege engines, which helped the city withstand the attack and preserve its independence.
• Ciriaco d’Ancona (1391–1452)
  Humanist, merchant, and traveller.
  Often referred to as the "father of archaeology". Traveling the Mediterranean on business, he scrupulously copied ancient inscriptions and sketched ancient monuments, preserving information about many now-lost objects for posterity.
• Benvenuto Stracca (1509–1578)
  Jurist and economist.
  Author of the famous treatise "De mercatura seu mercatore" ("On Trade and the Merchant"). His works laid the foundation for modern commercial law and insurance, reflecting Ancona's status as an important trading centre.
• Luigi Vanvitelli (1700–1773)
  Architect and engineer.
  Although the architect was born in Naples, his contribution to the appearance of Ancona cannot be overestimated. It was he who designed the famous pentagonal Lazzaretto (Mole Vanvitelliana) in the 18th century and reconstructed the port, creating the city's recognizable maritime facade.
• Francesco Podesti (1800–1895)
  Painter.
  One of the brightest representatives of Italian Romanticism and Academicism. Born in Ancona, where the city's Pinacoteca (art gallery), named in his honour, now houses a significant part of his heritage.
• Vito Volterra (1860–1940)
  Mathematician and physicist.
  A distinguished scientist born into a Jewish family in Ancona. Known for his work on functional analysis and the creation of mathematical models of biological processes (the "predator-prey" model).
• Franco Corelli (1921–2003)
  Opera singer (dramatic tenor).
  A native of Ancona who became a legend of world opera. Possessing a powerful voice and charisma, he shone on the stages of La Scala, Covent Garden, and the Metropolitan Opera, performing with Maria Callas and other stars.
• Virna Lisi (1936–2014)
  Film actress.
  An icon of style and talent born in Ancona. Over her long career, she starred in dozens of films in Europe and Hollywood, winning an award at the Cannes Film Festival and a César Award.