Candelara – Pieve, Borgo and Candlelight

The town of Candelara combines a historic Borgo with sacred architecture and a broad hilly landscape. Two distinct aspects stand out when planning your trip: the history of its buildings and town, and the seasonal Christmas market “Candele a Candelara”. The picture is completed by a panorama stretching from the Adriatic coast to the Apennines.

Borgo, churches and historic details

The Borgo di Candelara, also known as Castello di Candelara, originated after the year 1000. The Castello is considered a fine example of 15th-century military architecture. The origins of the Borgo and the architectural classification of the Castello thus refer to different historical points: the Borgo’s origins after 1000, and the Castello’s 15th-century military architecture.

Researchers date the origins of the Pieve di Santo Stefano to between the 6th and 8th centuries. The church features Gothic masonry and an unusual Greek-cross floor plan. The masonry and floor plan describe two different aspects of the architecture: the construction of the walls and the shape of the building. By contrast, the Chiesa di Santa Lucia dates from 1485. For the Pieve, the key points are the time span of its origins and two architectural features; for Santa Lucia, a single year establishes its historical context.

Another cultural highlight is the restored Torre dell’orologio, where old, fully functioning mechanisms can be seen. The Museo PAC (Pie Artigiane Cristiane) focuses on textile arts, embroidery, cutting and sewing. The two sites have different focuses: the clock tower represents historic mechanics, while the museum is dedicated to textile design and handicrafts.

Candele a Candelara and candlelight

The Christmas market “Candele a Candelara” takes place between late November and the first days of December; the specific dates may vary from one edition to the next. During the event, the electric lights are deliberately switched off twice for 15 minutes each time, leaving Candelara illuminated only by the warm glow of candles. The exact times of the two blackouts may also vary from one edition to the next. When planning your trip, both the seasonal period and the duration of the blackouts are therefore relevant. If you are coordinating your stay with the market, check the dates for the relevant edition.

Panorama and landscape

Candelara sits on a hill 180 metres high. From there, the 360-degree panoramic view stretches from the Adriatic Sea—with Ravenna and Ancona—to the Apennines and the mountains Catria, Nerone and Carpegna. The area around Candelara is dotted with small valleys, oak woods, maquis, vineyards, olive groves and deciduous woodland. The distant view and the more intimate landscape around the town offer two different perspectives: the coast and the mountains mentioned define the panorama’s reach, while the valleys and vegetation shape the landscape around the town.

Getting there

Regulation No. 880/2002 established a restricted traffic zone in Candelara, imposing a driving and parking ban there around the clock, every day of the year. Check the local access rules before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Torrette, Sassofeltrio, Mombaroccio, Belvedere Fogliense, Cuccurano, Isola di Fano, Ca' Romano I, Villa Del Monte

Go to the main travel overview: Pesaro - Urbino.