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The mystery of the lost city of Valbruna Numerous archaeological findings around Vallugola harbour have given rise to the legend of Val Bruna, the drowned Roman settlement which has been assiduously sought by divers and scholars. There is no documentary evidence of this ancient city which disappeared mysteriously at some time many centuries ago; but on especially clear days when the sea is calm, there are some who insist they can glimpse the remains of ancient dwellings, streets, columns and temples. Over the years fragments of statues, amphorae, terracotta, mosaic pavements, marbles and lead piping have been found in the waters between Fiorenzuola and Gabicce and in the shallow waters of Vallugola harbour, evidence that this was a densely populated area, the dwellings extending pleasantly across the hills which slope down into the sea, bathed in the warming rays of the sun and sheltered from the breezes. |
| Vallugola |
| Near Santa Marina di Focara fragments
of Attic vases dating from the fifth century B.C. have been found,
attesting that even in ancient times there was a harbour here at the
foot of San Bartolo hill, where Greek ships moored on their journey
across the Adriatic Sea to Adria and Spina. The harbour, which soon
took on the name of Focara, was moved in Roman times to the little
bay of Vallugola, remaining in use throughout the Middle Ages up until
modern times. Analysis of archaeological findings suggests that it
consisted of wharves built on piles and that there were numerous spacious
warehouses where goods could be stored. After the barbarian invasions
and the liberation of the territory by the Byzantines, the impetus
of trade gave it a new significance, for all goods coming from Dalmatia
passed through the harbour. According to local toponymy, the nickname Vallugola may be derived from Valle lucula (a valley made dark by the presence of a wood) or Valle dell’ugola, because of the echo which can be heard here. However, the most probable explanation is that the name is derived from Vallisi uvula, meaning <valley of small wines>. Wine was one of the products which most often passed through the harbour, together with flour, grain, broad beans and figs. The harbour of Vallugola was also an important adjunct to that of Pesaro, which had been built right at the mouth of the river Foglia and was often subject to flooding and silting; moreover, Vallugola was more easily reached from the neighbouring hill towns, whose people came here to load their goods on to ships, since it was close to the consular road, the Via Flaminia. It was also an important landing place in an emergency, since there was a fresh-water spring nearby, the ancient Midas spring, providing easily accessible drinking water. The golden age of Vallugola harbour came to an end in 1614, when Francesco Maria II Della Rovere decided to alter the natural course of the river Foglia in order to build in Pesaro a modern harbour suitable for the new type of ships, which were larger and required deeper water. |
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