Its position, half way between the Appennines and the Adriatic sea, close to both is ideal for the people who would like to spend some time in our region.
Jesi has set up ties of twinship with Waiblingen (Germany) and Mayenne (France)

Events: In the first week of May there is the Palio of St.Floriano.
St. Floriano is the co-patron saint of Jesi and the Palio is the 13th century historic Frederick pageant with scenes of medieval life, drummers, archers, flag-wavers and also a reconstruction of the old hamlet.
The other Patron-Saint of Jesi, St.Settimio, is celebrated on the 22nd of September. In the evening there is the traditional Bingo in Piazza della Repubblica (Repubblica square) and from the 23rd to the 25th the busy Fair with a lot of stands, dedicated to the Saint. Takes place.
The Opera and Ballet Season of the marvellous Pergolesi Theatre is from the end of September to November while the Theatre Drama Season is in the winter.
Would you like to listen to G.B.Pergolesi’s and G.Spontini’s music? Come to Jesi at the and of August. An interesting Festival of their works is organised in the Theatre and in some old palaces and Churches of Jesi and its surroundings.

Historical Outline: legend has it that Jesi was named Aesis after Esio, the legendary king of the Pelasgi who had migrated westward from Thessaly in the 10th c. B.C.
According to history, however, we know that in 247 B.C. Jesi was a Roman colony. Conquered end then destroyed by the Visigoths, Ostrogoths and Lombards, it was given to the Pope by the Frank king Pipino il Breve. About 1150 Jesi becane a free commune. Protected by Federico II who was born there in 1194, Jesi was granted many privileges, expanded a lot and improved economically. Later on the town was ruled by the most powerful Italian families, the Malatesta, the Fortebraccio da Montone, and the Francesco Sforza. In the Napoleonic era it was occupied by the French but in 1815 it got back to the Pope and in 1860 became a town of the new kingdom of Italy.

Jesi’s historical tradition can be found in the magnificent and well-preserved circle of medieval walls, in its palaces, churches and squares. If you go to Federico II square, on the left side you can appreciate Balleani-Baldeschi palace (18th c.) with its balcony supported by telamones. On its right you can see the Duomo (St.Settimio’s Cathedral). This Cathedral,built between the 13th and 14th c. was restored in the early 18th c. Its present facade dates back to the beginning of the 20th c. Two splendid stone lions that to day support the holy Water basin remain of the original building. On the left side of the square there is St.Floriano Church. Built in the 12th c., it was modified in the 15th and 18th centuries. Deconsacrated in 1860 it is now used as the second Theatre of Jesi and hosts thge Archeologic Museum too.

Take Pergolesi street, on te left there is Palazzo della Signora (the Governor’s Palace), but its main entrance is in Colocci square. Erected in the late 1400 from the design of Francesco di Giorgio Martini (Siena 1439-1502) it is one of the most significant public palaces in the Marches; its tower, the main portal above which the Crown Lion Rampant- the symbol of the town – can be seen, and its courtyard with an inner portico are really interesting. Nowadays the Palace hosts the Civic Library with almost 100.000 volumes, incunabulums, and manoscripts. Continuing along Pergolesi Street, you will reach Spontini Square where you will see Ricci Palace (1543) with its very interesting diamond-pointed facade. Such an outside hanging ornament is quite rare in the Marches.

On the right there is Indipendenza Square , the seat of the Town Hall. Through Magistrate’s Arch you leave the Medieval Town and you find yourselves in Repubblica Square where you can admire Pergolesi Theatre (1791-1796). Its vault is decorated with mythological scenery by Felice Giani (1758-1823) and the drop-curtain by Luigi Mancini (1850) celebrates the entrance of Federico II in Jesi. Along Matteotti High Street , Jesi’s heart and shopping area, on the right, you can see the baroque church of St. Giovanni Battista (18th c.). Take Baligani Lane on the left, and reach Pianetti-Tesei Palace (18th c.). This palazzo is a rare example of Italian rococo style. The first floor has a long scenic hall with plaster polychromes and frescoes. The whole floor is used as the Picture Gallery of Jesi that along with other significant works, shows a precious collection of Lorenzo Lotto (1480-1556). The contemporary section of the Gallery is enriched by works of contemporary artists from the Rosa Papa Tamburi haward dedicated to her by her son Orfeo Tamburi.

Then go back to Matteotti High Street. On the right you will see “Santuario delle Grazie”. The population of Jesi erected an ex-voto Chapel to the Madonna della Misericordia (now Madonna delle Grazie) in 1456 during a terrible plague and the present Sanctuary built in the 18th c. is an extension of that Chapel. The Sanctuary faces the monument to the composer G.B. Pergolesi who was born in Jesi in 1710 and who died at the age of 26 in Pozzuoli (Naples). Among his works we remember the “Stabat Mater”,”La serva padrona”,”Lo frate ‘nnammorato” and “Flaminio”.

Near the monument there is St. Nicolò Church (12th c.). It is a remarkable Romanesque-Gothic church with cross-vaults and two aisles with Romanesque round arches. The prospect of corso Matteotti is closed by Clementino Arch built in 1734 by the inhabitants of Jesi to thank Pope Clemente XII who made it possible the construction of Clementina Road that connected Jesi to Rome.