Fabriano, Medieval commune in Marche, Italy
Fabriano is a commune in the Province of Ancona in the Marche region, built on the slopes of the Esino valley at around 325 meters (1,066 feet) above sea level. The old town consists of narrow lanes and tall buildings made of pale stone, clustered around several historic squares.
The settlement emerged in the early Middle Ages and from 1276 became an important center of European papermaking. Its papermakers introduced new watermarking techniques that spread across the continent.
The name Fabriano comes from Latin and refers to ironworking, which took place here in Roman times before the town became known for its paper mills. Locals often gather in Piazza del Comune, a triangular square where markets and public meetings shape everyday life.
The historic center is best explored on foot, as many areas are traffic-calmed and narrow lanes make driving difficult. The paper museum is centrally located and offers demonstrations of traditional techniques that can be visited without prior booking.
A fountain from 1285, built by Jacopo di Grondolo, stands in the triangular main square directly above an underground river channel. Beneath the fountain, water still flows through old channels that once supplied the town's paper mills.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
