Fermo, Provincial capital in Marche, Italy
Fermo is a provincial capital in Marche, Italy, spreading across a hill with several street levels and surrounded by residential neighborhoods. The old town sits at an elevation of 319 meters and is connected by narrow lanes that lead to open areas overlooking the surrounding valleys.
The settlement was founded in 264 BC as Firmum Picenum and developed into a Latin colony with close ties to Rome. During the medieval period it became an important ecclesiastical and political center in the region and retained its influence into the early modern era.
The name derives from the Latin Firmum, recalling its role as a Roman colony in ancient Picenum. Visitors notice the large public squares and staircases that serve today as meeting points for locals and are often filled with stages and stalls during festivals.
The old town is best explored on foot, as most sights are reached through steep streets and stairways. Buses connect the town to Porto San Giorgio on the coast and other municipalities in the province, with regular departures during the day.
Beneath the town lies a Roman cistern system with multiple levels that was used for water supply over centuries. These underground vaults remain accessible today and show the advanced building techniques of antiquity with their arches and chamber connections.
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