53° Nutata longa

The Adriatic at Fano in early August is typically characterized by stable thermal conditions, with surface temperatures frequently settling in the mid-to-high 20s Celsius. Swimming here requires an awareness of the local coastline morphology: the city is divided into the Lido, with its soft, sandy entry, and the Sassonia, where the seabed shifts to a pebbly, gravelly composition. Tidal ranges are generally limited, but swimmers should expect a rhythmic interaction with the currents that run parallel to the shore, often influenced by the seasonal wind patterns that sweep across the Gulf of Venice towards the central Adriatic.

A path through history

As you navigate the course, the landscape serves as a backdrop to centuries of human activity. Looking landward, the Arch of Augustus remains the most distinct maritime landmark; commissioned in 2 AD, it still marks the point where the ancient Roman road met the sea. The 5km route provides a vantage point for the city’s architectural evolution, including the few survivors of the 1944 German retreat—the towers of San Francesco di Paola and San Marco—which were spared when most of the historic skyline was flattened to deny observation points to Allied forces. The seabed itself is a site of ongoing archaeological interest, notably with the 2026 discovery of the civic basilica described by Vitruvius in his seminal treatise on architecture, located near the modern harbor area.

Race day tradition

The Nutata Longa, now in its 53rd edition, is deeply woven into the local calendar. It coincides with the traditional Festa del Mare, held on the first Sunday of August, where the community gathers to remember those lost at sea. It is common to see a procession of local boats departing from the port to cast laurel wreaths into the water, a ritual that adds a solemn gravity to the event. The race itself offers two distinct challenges, a 1-mile sprint and a 5km endurance test, both managed under the auspices of the Federazione Italiana Nuoto. Whether you are navigating the sandy stretches or the gravel banks of the Sassonia, the experience is defined by a deep connection to a city that has been shaped by both the sea and the seismic history of the region, including the significant structural shifts following the 1916 earthquake that reshaped the city’s religious spires.

A nautical mile for amateurs

The Nutata Longa was born in 1972 from an idea of Vittorio Meletti and a group of local enthusiasts: a straight nautical mile in the sea off Fano. Giuseppe Spinaci and Susanna Celli won the first edition, and for twenty-two years the race admitted amateurs only — competitive and master swimmers joined from 1994. The Fanum Fortunae Nuoto still organises it with the city.