We don't have sure news of the origin of the first inhabited site of Recanati. Surely the surrounding territories were already inhabited during prehistoric age by the population of the Piceni, diffuse in the region.
In roman age, because of the invasion of the Goti around the IV century a.d., the population who lived near the rivers tried shelter on the hills.
In the XII century, Recanati became free Comune (municipality) , originating from the union of the three existing castels. In 1229, Recanati obtained from the emperor Federico II of Svevia the privilege to build up a harbour on the coast (Porto Recanati).
Pope Martino V supported some cultural and artistic initiatives and various literates reached the place, like the humanist Antonio Bonfini, giurists, like Antonio da Cannara, and notable painters, like Lorenzo Lotto, Caravaggio, Sansovino, Vanvitelli.
In 1798, the city endured the French occupation by the napoleonic troops. In the same year, the city gave birth to its most illustrious citizen: Giacomo Leopardi. In 1860, the annexation of the State of the Church to the Reign of Italy, as a result of the battle of Castelfidardo, integrated the history of the Comune of Recanati to the one of Italy.