The Origins of Senigallia
The history of the city of Senigallia is very ancient, spanning over two thousand years.
The name derives from the Senones Gauls, a Celtic people who settled on the coast of the Adriatic Sea between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC.
After their defeat by the Romans, they founded the colony of Sena Gallica, the first Roman colony overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
The city inevitably became an important commercial and military center thanks to its strategic location.
The Roveresca Fortress
The Roveresca Fortress of Senigallia, also known as the Fortress of Senigallia, is the city’s iconic monument and represents one of the finest examples of Renaissance military architecture in the Marche region.
Its history begins with the founding of the Roman colony, so much so that remains unearthed through archaeological excavations are still visible today and can be visited inside the fortress.
The strategic position, elevated and close to the sea, allowed for territorial control and more timely defense of the city.
The fortress’s current appearance dates back to 1476-1482, when Giovanni della Rovere, lord of Senigallia and nephew of Pope Sixtus IV, entrusted the project to the great Renaissance architects Luciano Laurana and Baccio Pontelli.
The fortress we see today and can visit was designed to meet the new demands of firearms warfare: for this reason, it features a quadrangular layout with four imposing cylindrical towers, a moat, and drawbridges, all elements that increased resistance to artillery attacks.
The Summer Jamboree
The Summer Jamboree is the most important European festival dedicated to American music and culture of the 1940s and 1950s.
The term “Jamboree” is English and means “large gathering,” “party,” and perfectly captures the spirit of this festival.
It takes place every summer in Senigallia and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over Italy and abroad.
Over the years, the festival has become an international reference point for fans of vintage American culture thanks to its wide range of events and initiatives: rock ‘n’ roll, swing, country, rockabilly, and rhythm & blues concerts; dance lessons and competitions in the charming square in front of the Rocca Roveresca and in the establishments along Senigallia’s seafront; vintage American car shows; vintage markets where you can browse for clothing, vinyl records, vintage items, and memorabilia; and burlesque shows.
Dressing in 1940s and 1950s style has been a widespread practice for years.
You can also find barber shops and hairdressers offering 1950s-style cuts and hairstyles.
Over the years, the festival has hosted numerous major artists, including Chuck Berry in 2010, during its musical evenings beneath the Rocca Roveresca.
One of the elements that makes the Summer Jamboree unique is that it doesn’t take place in a single area, but rather encompasses the entire historic center and the Senigallia waterfront, which become an open-air stage, offering visitors an immersive experience.
Admission is completely free, as is the case for most events, and contributes significantly to the tourism and economic promotion of the city of Senigallia.
There is a moment in the summer when the city of Senigallia welcomes thousands of tourists from around the world to relive the festive atmosphere of post-war America.
Senigallia becomes a time machine for a unique event of collective participation.
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