Numana

Numana is a coastal town and comune of the province of Ancona in the Marche region of Italy. Mythology Numana was anciently known with the name of Humana. The legend tells that the mythological founder of the city was this Picenis Queen, a giant figure of a woman with half of the body in the shape of a snake and with wide wings on her back. The Queen threw fire balls on the seaside burning down a wood and on those cinders raised up the city of Humana (meaning human in Latin). History Most scholars see Numana as having been founded by people of Sabine origin, but Pliny the Elder attributed its foundation to the Siculi, but whatever its origin, it was an important commercial centre in the 6th and 5th centuries BC. In about 500 BC, the expansion of Roman power and the later foundation and growth of Ancona led to a decadence of Numana. However, it maintained a certain importance, becoming in the 5th or 6th century an episcopal see. In the Middle Ages the town is referred to under the name Humana Umana in modern Italian spelling and under that name appears in a number of treaties, alliances and other documents. In 1404 it came under the control of Ancona and in 1432 the diocese was united to that of Ancona. In 1553 the bishops of Ancona became also civil rulers of Humana and assumed the title of Conti di Umana. In the 19th and 20th centuries the town resumed its ancient name of Numana. Geography Numana is a central Adriatic coastal town, which lies at the southern foot of Monte Conero. 91.8% of the area falls within the Conero Regional Park. The old town is often called "Numana alta" as it is on top of a cliff overlooking the sea and can be described almost in continuity with the settlement of Sirolo, while "Numana bassa" includes the area around the port. The beach of "Numana alta" comprises two bays formed close to the cliff: the Spiaggiola Beach and the friars and the beach of "Numana bassa" extending to the south of the port village of Marcelli. The inner part of the territory is mainly hilly and at the mouth of the Musone River, a wet area of significant natural and environmental value. Main sights The Sanctuary of the Crucifix ( Santuario del Crocifisso) was built in 1968 to replace an earlier building, attributed to Pellegrino Tibaldi. Some of the frescoes of the vault, by the painter Andrea Lilli were retained and a crucifix in wood, which most likely was transported by ex-emperor Charlemagne as a gift for Pope Leo III, but due to a storm Emperor was forced to stay in the town and there abandoned it, after which it was found at sea after an earthquake. In contrast to the baroque Church of Saint John the Baptist, the modern church has a base with an octagonal spire and the main entrance is located before the Bishops Palace, seat of the town of Numana. The Bishop's Palace belonged to noble families in Rome and was then purchased by the bishops of Ancona as a summer residence. Today it is the city hall and hosts exhibitions. The Arco di torre and aqueduct reveal evidence of Roman rule. Within walking distance of each other, the arc is the remnant of a tower (low after the earthquake of 1930) and was used as an outpost to prevent attacks by invaders in the Adriatic Sea, while the aqueduct, embellished with a fountain, supplied water to the town until a few decades ago. Frazioni Marcelli, founded by the family of the same name, developed a tourist resort. Located 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the town of Numana, Marcelli was built on a swamp that was reclaimed by the lords of Numana and extends to the Musone River, the southern boundary of the municipality. There are the main seaside resorts of the Riviera del Conero, campsites and holiday clubs. Svarchi, located 1.6 kilometres (1 mi) west of the border with the comune of Sirolo. The town lies on a hill. Taunus, a tourist resort, is situated between Svarchi and Marcelli, and hosts a holiday village and is a residential area of the comune of Numana. Transportation Notable people Franco Scataglini (1930–1994) -poet Vincenzo Radicioni (1906–1988) -Catholic priest References