This little town is a very popular tourist destination because of the beautiful location and fascinating architecture, representing many periods of history right back to the medieval.

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It lies only 4 kilometres from the Adriatic, and is mentioned by Pliny the Elder as having been  a strategic lookout post for the Roman city of Palma, from which it gets its name. Pliny also mentions the excellent quality of the wine from this region. This is still one of its attractions, being the home of the famous Palmense wine.

The location is delightful, the town lying along the hilltop between the sea and the sky, and the light has a particular rich and luminous quality here. There are some stunning ancient churches, including the Church of Santa Maria a Mare, which contains a well-preserved, elaborate fresco dating back to medieval times.  Also of note is the 12th century church and convent dedicated to Saint Augustine, which is now the Bishop’s residence.

In the 16th century the town became very popular among the local aristocracy and some beautiful palazzi were built at this time, complete with ornate, formal gardens for patrician families to holiday in style. Important artists were employed at this time to decorate the houses and churches, including the brothers Carlo and Vittore Crivelli. Very nearby is the site of a famous battle between the Napoleonic forces and the Neapolitan army in the 18th century. There are some lovely woodland walks which can be easily accessed from the town.

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