Maiolo, Forno Ca’ Lombardi, Pane di Maiolo e spianate con rosmarino

At any time of year, visitors to the Upper Marecchia Valley may go on a voyage of discovery of typical dishes, top-quality products, and shops and restaurants with old-fashioned charm and longstanding traditions. It is in autumn, however, that town squares and streets in the valley are filled with the aromas of unique local products: Sant’Agata Feltria’s prized white truffles, Talamello’s fossa cheese, Montefeltro’s marrons, San Leo’s cheeses, and the bread and spianata flatbread of Maiolo and of its age-old ovens. In addition to the fairs, which draw thousands of visitors each autumn from all of Italy and the rest of the world, several typical shops, osterie, trattorias and restaurants provide visitors with the opportunity to savor and acquaint themselves with the Upper Marecchia Valley. Especially worthy of a visit are the sandstone pits (in Italian, fosse) in Talamello and Sant’Agata Feltria where the famous cheese is seasoned, which are maintained almost as scrupulously as if they were gold mines. At the beginning of November the cheese is gradually removed from pits. At this time of year it is possible to visit the pits when they are half-empty. Visitors are likely to be surprised by the amber-like tones of the sandstone in the pits, the intense aroma of truffle, and the lack of humidity.