On the coast of the Marche region, in the province of Fermo, lies the new destination of our journey through Italy’s business landscape: Porto Sant’Elpidio, a seaside town with just over 25,000 inhabitants and the second most populous municipality after the provincial capital.
This new stop offers us the opportunity to explore one of the most manufacturing-oriented cities in Marche, now also a well-known seaside resort.
History and tradition: a journey into Porto Sant’Elpidio’s past
Porto Sant’Elpidio has a relatively recent history as an autonomous urban center, but its roots date back much further. The earliest traces go back to between the 9th and 8th centuries BC, when it was already inhabited by the Piceni, a pre-Roman population widespread across much of central Italy. Archaeological findings, including tombs and remains of necropolises, testify to the presence of these settlements along the coast.
During the Roman era, it became an important hub for trade and connections along the Adriatic coast. However, its real development occurred in the Middle Ages, when the coastal area became the natural port of Sant’Elpidio a Mare, while the main town developed inland. During this period, a small fishing village emerged, inhabited by fishermen, merchants, and artisans living around the port.
A key moment in the history of Porto Sant’Elpidio dates back to 1248, when Pope Innocent IV granted the inhabitants the right to build and use a port on the sea. A stable settlement gradually developed around this area. However, some historical documents mention the port as early as 886, attributing it to Charles the Fat, indicating that the area was already known and used in the early Middle Ages. Over the centuries, two main landing points stood out: the so-called “old port,” located at the mouth of the Castellano stream, and the “new port”, near the San Alpidio ditch.
For many centuries, Porto Sant’Elpidio remained a small locality administratively dependent on Sant’Elpidio a Mare. Only in the 20th century, after World War II, did the town begin to grow rapidly thanks to the development of craftsmanship and industry, particularly in the footwear sector, which is typical of the Fermo area. Population growth and economic activity eventually led to the creation of an autonomous municipality: on November 14, 1952, Porto Sant’Elpidio officially separated from Sant’Elpidio a Mare.
As for the origin of its name, “Porto” derives from the Latin portus, recalling the original function of the place, while “Sant’Elpidio” refers to the saint of the same name, highly venerated in the region. Elpidio comes from the Greek name Elpídios, whose root elpis means “hope.”
The name Porto Sant’Elpidio thus encapsulates the dual soul of the town: on one hand, its strong connection to the sea and port activities, and on the other, its relationship with the inland. It is a meeting point between water and land.
What to visit in Porto Sant’Elpidio: seafront, beaches, and hidden gems
As a seaside town, Porto Sant’Elpidio is especially famous for its seafront and numerous beaches.
The well-known Lungomare Faleria is one of the town’s iconic locations; it stretches for 7 km and offers numerous green areas and paths: the “Percorso Vita”, equipped with installations for outdoor fitness activities, a vast pine forest perfect for relaxing and enjoying nature (also featuring a large playground), and a cycling path that runs along the entire route. Beyond the seafront, there are many equipped beaches that allow visitors to fully experience the sea.
If you decide to visit the historic center of Porto Sant’Elpidio, you cannot miss Piazza Garibaldi, the heart of the town, recently renovated. It features a large ground-level fountain with various jets and water features, particularly charming at sunset.
In the square stands a building, also recently restored, which houses the Municipal Library and the former cinema-theater.
A short walk from the square stands the Clock Tower, built in 1355 by Gerardino di Sallopidio and completed in the 16th century thanks to Pope Pius IV. Originally constructed for defensive purposes, as suggested by its solid and imposing structure, it is now one of the town’s most beloved symbols and houses the Porto Sant’Elpidio Tourist Office, a reference point for visitors.
For those who love greenery and peaceful places, there are several Art Nouveau villas to visit, including Villa Murri, one of the most beautiful and evocative. Once owned by the Sinibaldi family, it now houses the Town Hall and the municipal library on the ground floor, and is surrounded by a beautiful park with various tree species, including laurels.
Another charming villa is Villa Baruchello, set within a lush garden open to the public and included among the most beautiful parks in Italy.
What to eat in Porto Sant’Elpidio: from fish stew to cicerchiata
Porto Sant’Elpidio and its surrounding area are especially known for fish-based dishes, from appetizers to main courses, although there are also meat options and local specialties.
Among the appetizers, a must-have for seafood lovers is marinated anchovies, prepared with parsley, oil, garlic, vinegar or lemon.
Another symbolic dish of the area, typical of the entire Adriatic coast in various versions, is brodetto di pesce: a mixed fish soup with scorpionfish, red mullet, cuttlefish, cod, and more (depending on the catch of the day), cooked in a tomato, vinegar, garlic, and oil base. Other typical seafood first courses include seafood spaghetti and fisherman-style risotto.
As for main courses, there are also interesting land-based options. A typical dish from Marche is pork rolls: slices of meat wrapped in ham or pancetta and cooked with white wine, garlic, and parsley.
A more rustic but wholesome and rich dish is cicerchie soup: an ancient legume similar to chickpeas but smaller and flatter. It is now less common but still typical in some areas of central Italy, including Marche.
Finally, no meal is complete without dessert, and a must-try is cicerchiata, whose name comes from its shape resembling the cicerchia legume. Similar to struffoli, it is especially typical during Carnival: small balls of fried dough coated in warm honey and arranged into a mound, then garnished with almond crumbs or colorful sprinkles.
Businesses in Porto Sant’Elpidio: footwear tradition and industry looking to the future with ultra-broadband
Today, Porto Sant’Elpidio is known as a seaside destination on the Adriatic coast and as part of the Marche footwear production district, while still preserving its origins as an ancient fishing village built around its port.
Unlike other areas, its industrial development did not grow around large production hubs but began after World War II thanks to local initiative. Between the 1950s and 1970s, small entrepreneurs and artisans transformed family businesses into real companies, giving rise to a production system. The local economy is strong because it combines practical skills, manual labor, and a deep connection to the territory. A notable example is the footwear district spanning Fermo, Civitanova Marche, and Porto Sant’Elpidio, one of the largest and most specialized in Europe for high-quality shoe production.
A company specializing in footwear production, whose story we have covered in a case study, is one of FibreConnect’s first clients, in partnership with Netoip: Suolificio Stella, a company with over 50 years of experience in the production of shoe soles, using cutting-edge machinery, high-tech systems, presses, computerized pantographs, and CAD/CAM systems for modeling.
However, Porto Sant’Elpidio is not only about shoe production. There are many other outstanding businesses. Among them is Autotrasporti Moretti, located in the northern industrial area, with over 50 years of experience. Founded in 1966 operating routes between Marche and Puglia, it expanded nationwide in 2009 and opened to international transport in 2017. Over the years, it has broadened its scope to keep pace with the times and is now a benchmark in freight transport thanks to its reliability and certifications.
Another interesting company in the manufacturing sector, also connected to footwear, is Nanni 1955, located in the San Filippo industrial area and founded, as the name suggests, in 1955. It specializes in the creation and production of fashion accessories and components for footwear and leather goods, such as buckles, studs, and decorations. Over time, it has increasingly focused on design and quality, collaborating with mid-to-high-end brands. The company is also highly attentive to research and innovation, participating in international trade fairs and industry events to keep up with a constantly evolving market. It combines craftsmanship with modern machinery to deliver high-quality production that meets diverse customer needs.
Looking to the future, Porto Sant’Elpidio’s businesses are now ready for the next step in their competitive development: implementing advanced services such as IoT, AI, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions, thanks to the rollout of an innovative fiber-optic infrastructure up to 10G with guaranteed transmission speeds developed by FibreConnect.
Ultra-broadband will foster the development of new services and improve production processes, making these industrial areas even more competitive and attractive to national and international investors.
Another step forward for the economy and artisanal excellence of our country, towards an increasingly connected and international future.