Useful information for tourists about Marche in Italy - geographical location, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Attractions

Marche is one of the regions of Italy, located between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic coast. Here on an area of ​​almost 10 thousand sq. km. About one and a half million people live. The administrative center of the region is the city of Ancona, the only large port of the Marche. Other large cities are Pesaro, Fano, Ascoli Piceno, Macerata, Urbino.

The Marche region received its name from the Franks, who in the 10th century called these lands the word “Marke”, which translated from the ancient German language meant “region”. And the first inhabitants on these lands appeared in the Neolithic era - in the 3rd-2nd millennia BC. Balkan and Greek tribes lived here. In the 3rd century BC. Marche was captured by the Romans, who needed access to the Adriatic Sea. It was they who laid the first important drogues - Salaria, along which salt was transported to Rome, and Flaminia, which connected the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas. At the same time, Ancona became one of the largest sea trading ports in the east of the country.

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Marche came under the control of the Lombards and then became part of the Byzantine Empire. In the 8th century the area nominally became an ecclesiastical fief, and the marquesates of Ancona, Fermo and Camerino were formed on its borders. In those years, the coastal territory of the Marche was subject to constant raids by Saracen pirates, and this provoked an outflow of population to the mountainous regions. The demographic situation turned out to be critical. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Montefeltro family ruled here, under which the city of Urbino began to play an important role in the economy, politics and culture of the region. Then Marche again found itself in the hands of the Pope, and at the end of the 18th century it was occupied by French troops. Only in 1869 the region became part of a united Italy.

Due to the remoteness of the major roads connecting the Marche with the central part of the country, the region lagged behind in economic development for a long time. During the Middle Ages, paper began to be produced here, which is still in great demand in Italy and European countries. In the small town of Castelfidardo, modern electronic organs are made. And in Macerata and Ascoli Piceno there are fashionable shoes. In addition, the Marche has developed pharmaceutical, furniture, clothing and food industries. In terms of agriculture, the area produces cereals, sunflowers and sugar beets, and the cities of Pesaro, Fano, Civitanova and San Benedetto del Tronto are major fishing ports.

Tourism plays an equally important role in the economy of the Marche, because the region’s rich and varied nature is combined with numerous historical and architectural monuments - palaces, churches and cathedrals, in which the greatest masters of art have left their mark. And the coast of the Adriatic Sea, with its smooth sandy beaches and clear waters, is literally dotted with both world-famous and small resort towns.

Perhaps the most interesting city in Marche for tourists is Urbino, which was founded in the 4th century BC. This city has almost completely preserved its medieval appearance - primarily the Renaissance palace of the 15th century Palazzo Ducale and the ancient church of San Bernardino degli Zoccolanti attract attention. One of the greatest geniuses of painting, Rafael Santi, was born here, whose house has now been turned into a museum. Ancona has preserved numerous attractions from antiquity and the Middle Ages, and in Macerata you can visit one of the oldest universities not only in Italy, but throughout Europe. The ancient picturesque town of Pesaro is known as the birthplace of the great composer Gioachino Rossini.

In the vicinity of Ancona there are the famous Frasassi Caves, whose stalactites and stalagmites are recognized as a natural wonder, and the Monti Sibillini National Park - a visit to it will appeal to lovers of outdoor walks and active recreation.

The administrative center of Marche, the city of Ancona, is famous as a balneological resort. The port town of Fano is famous for its pebble beach, Spiaggia Sassogna, and sandy beach, Spiaggia Lido. And one of the best beaches in the entire Adriatic is considered to be the 13-kilometer Spiaggia di Veltuto - “Velvet Beach”, located off the coast of the town of Senigallia. Also popular among tourists are the resorts of Gabicce Mare with many hotels and large sandy beaches and San Benedetto del Tronto, which is famous for its palm alley of seven thousand trees planted along the coast. Between San Benedetto del Tronto and Fano there are a number of tiny and very cozy resort villages - Portonovo, Sirolo, Porto Recanati, Pedaso, etc. There are also secluded beaches in Marche - for example, Numana can only be reached by boat, and the beach in Porto Sant Elpidio is hidden from the curious by a lush pine forest.

Marche is an amazing region of Italy, although not the first on the list of tourists’ preferences, but definitely deserves to be at the top. A wonderful place with its own characteristics and attractions, where you can relax quietly without being distracted by large crowds of travelers. The beaches, climate and infrastructure are in no way inferior to more popular resorts.

General information about the Marche region (Italy)

The Marche region is located in the center of the Adriatic coast of Italy, it is washed from the east by the Adriatic Sea. The mild, warm climate characteristic of this country is also observed here. The area of ​​Marche is 9,366 square kilometers.

Marche (Italy)

Provinces

The region consists of five provinces:

  • Ancona,
  • Ascoli Piceno,
  • Macerata,
  • Pesaro and Urbino,
  • Fermo.

Neighboring regions are:

  • Emilia-Romagna (in the north),
  • Tuscany (in the northwest),
  • Umbria (in the west),
  • Abruzzo (in the south).

Additional Information! The administrative center is the port city of Ancona, which often becomes the starting point for tourists.

How to come to Ancona

You can get there in almost any way: by plane, by ship or by train. As a last resort, you can use the bus - the cheapest, although not very comfortable option. Unfortunately, there are practically no direct flights to Ancona: most likely, you will have to fly with transfers, stopping in cities: most likely in Rome or Munich. But finding transport from these cities to the Marche will not be difficult.

Economy of Marche

The region is primarily famous for its light industry, for example, the production of very good shoes; Marche is also one of the main centers of shipbuilding. The tourist infrastructure is, of course, sufficiently developed to welcome tourists and travelers from all over the world: a large number of well-groomed beaches, many attractions, various hotels and other places for recreation, shopping tours and, of course, unsurpassed Italian flavor in everything.

Port city of Ancona

Sights of the region

There are countless architectural attractions in Marche. In the capital of Ancona, the following ancient buildings stand out:

  • A partially destroyed Roman amphitheater, which could present interesting spectacles to 10 thousand spectators at once. For some time it served as a defensive point, after which it began to be dismantled for building materials. Fortunately, part of this building has survived to this day.
  • The Ancona Cathedral, dedicated to Judas Cyriaco, is the main church of the city and at the same time an important religious monument. Built in the 10th century, it was expanded over three more centuries.
  • Ancona Citadel - Built in the 16th century on the Astagno hill, the citadel is an old historical defensive structure.

Interesting! The Palace of Elders is an interesting building in which the Council of City Fathers met. It is worth noting that during World War II the building suffered extreme damage.

This is only a small part of the capital's attractions. But other cities of Marche can boast of interesting places:

  • The Frasassi Caves, discovered in 1948, are approximately 30 kilometers long. Anyone can look at the beautiful stalagmites and stalactites of this long network of caves - the excursion for tourists runs from 10 to 17 hours every day, the length of the route is one and a half kilometers.
  • The Castle of the Dukes of Urbino is a small castle built in the city of Urbino by Florentine architects, which, at the behest of Duke Federigo da Montefeltro, was turned into a real palace. Although the fortress was not completed before the Duke’s death, it became a popular cultural attraction in its unfinished form. The Dukes' Castle is now used as the National Gallery of the Marche.
  • The Monte Conero Natural Park is located on the Adriatic coast, while it lies on the slopes of the mountain of the same name. Those who decide to take a walk here can see many species of wild plants, as well as animals and birds. Moreover, there are a number of extremely interesting places located here. For example, beautiful churches and unique systems of grottoes and caves.

On a note! One of the main tourist towns of Marche is Ascoli Piceno.

The extraordinarily beautiful city, much of which is built of travertine, boasts well-kept streets, an interesting architectural style and many attractions. Also worth paying attention to are the cities of Fano and Pesaro. At the same time, it is not necessary to have a lot of money - first of all, vacationers can enjoy walking around the cities, etc.

Castle of the Dukes of Urbino

Excursions

On the Internet you can easily find a Russian guide who will tell you in detail about the places of interest to tourists. The cheapest group excursions cost 40...50 euros* per hour.

Urbino, a medieval city with such iconic historical monuments as the Castle of the Dukes, Urbino Cathedral, and the Monastery of Santa Chiara, is very popular among lovers of excursions. It is precisely because of the richness of historical monuments that excursions are so popular here.

Important information! Payment is not always hourly! All details must be discussed with the guides in advance.

How to relax in Marche

Despite the large number of attractions, in this region you can not only drive around the cities, looking at the streets and nature. Beach resort recreation and shopping are also well developed here, there are many restaurants, and lovers of active recreation have the opportunity to visit local discos. There are both fairly cheap (very decent) hotels and five-star all-inclusive ones.

A large selection of beaches for family holidays will not leave indifferent those who like to swim or just want to lie in the sun. Given the mild, warm climate and beautiful pictures of nature, the Marche coast is in no way inferior to the beaches of other regions of Italy. The most famous of them are: Spiaggia di Velluto, Riviera del Conero, Porto Sant'Elpidio beach and others.

Important information! You need to pay in hotels and when shopping in the country’s currency – the euro.

Coast of Spiaggia di Velluto

Useful information for tourists

The climate in Italy is quite temperate. There is usually no point in taking warm clothes with you, especially in summer. You definitely need sunscreen, otherwise you can spoil your appearance in just a few hours.

Marche is far from the most popular region among tourists, but you can enjoy this place in the same way as in the most popular resorts. The map of the region is replete with interesting places: this is an excellent option for those who like to explore cities, look at their architectural wonders and want to lie on the spacious and clean beaches.

* Prices are current as of September 2018.

When you get here, you can forget about logic right away. Only intuition and feelings work here - all at once. Smell, touch and some inexplicable inner admiration for others - everything reaches its peak here. Guido Piovene, a famous Italian journalist and writer, once said: “If it were necessary to define a typical Italian landscape, then without a doubt it is ... The landscapes of Italy represent the whole world, Marche - the whole.” Life in Marche smells of hot sand and olive trees, the bright greenery blurs the eyes, and the endless expanse of the sea gives a fleeting, timid hope - does heaven really exist on earth?

Geography

Marche is a region located on the Adriatic coast of Italy. The population of the region is 1,539,728 (2017).

The capital of the region is the city of Ancona, a major international trade and tourist port.

Provinces: Ancona, Macerata, Ascoli Piceno, Fermo, Pesaro and Urbino

The Marche region is located in the heart of the Italian Adriatic coast, covering an area of ​​9366 km².

In the north, the region borders the Emilia-Romagna region, in the south - with Abruzzo, in the northwest - with Tuscany, in the west - with Umbria. In the east of Marche the largest rivers are: Nera (116 km), Tronto (115 km), Metauro (110 km).

The highest mountains: Vettore (2476 m), Priora (2334 m), Pennino (1570 m).

National natural parks and protected areas: Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park; National Park of Monti Sibillini, Conero, Gola della Rossa, Monte San Bartolo, Sasso Simone and Simoncello.

In the vicinity of the Marche capital, Ancona, are the famous Frasassi caves. The largest of them is Abysso di Ancona.

Climate and weather

The coastal area north of Ancona has a subcontinental climate with temperature variations from season to season: warm summers, refreshed by pleasant sea breezes, and cold winters (in Pesaro the average January temperature is 3.8 °C), with regular seasonal rains. South of Ancona, the subcontinental climate takes on distinctly Mediterranean characteristics: on the coast, the average January temperature is around 10 °C,

In lowland areas and low hilly areas, a continental climate prevails with very hot summers and winters characterized by heavy snowfalls. Spring here can be quite rainy.

Mountainous areas can experience very low temperatures in winter.

The territory of the modern Marche region in the Iron Age was mainly inhabited by the Piceni tribes, who founded important settlements near Pesaro, Ancona, Belmonte Piceno and Ascoli Piceno.

History and culture

In the fourth century BC, the northern region, up to the Esino River, was captured by the Gauls, while the Greeks founded a colony near Ancona.

After the Battle of Centino, in 295 BC, the Gauls were defeated by a coalition of Romans and Piceni. When the Roman allies became too invasive, establishing colonies in the Picenese settlements (the most important of them Firum Picenum, today Fermo), the tribes rebelled.

Two important roads connected Marche to Rome: Via Flaminia, which arrived at Fano, and La Salaria, which reached Ascoli. Also during the imperial period, Ancona was chosen as Rome's main port to the east, as evidenced by the Ancona inscription, which calls the capital of Marche "accessum Italiae", that is, "entrance to Italy".

After the fall of the Roman Empire with the victory of Byzantium during the Gothic-Byzantine War, the territory of Marche passed to the Eastern Empire.

Subsequently, after the invasion of Italy by the Lombards, the southern part of the region and the northern part of Abruzzo (today's provinces of Macerata, Fermo, Ascoli, Teramo and Pescara) were conquered by them. The presence of the Longobards in the region left remarkable historical evidence, such as the necropolis at Castel Trosino.

Subsequently, the entire regional territory was unified under the name Marca di Ancona. The term "marka", coined by pawnshops, means "border areas". At first, the governor of the region lived in Ancona, and then, when this city was liberated by the local population, the Marche government moved to Fermo.

In particular, the Republic of Ancona experienced moments of particular artistic and cultural flourishing, thanks to its maritime relations with the East, and in fact became one of the influential maritime republics.

On December 26, 1194, Federico II of Swabia, the future Holy Roman Emperor, was born in Jesi, who awarded the city in 1216 the title "Città Regia", allowing it to gain some autonomy even during the subsequent papal rule.

During the Renaissance, the Duchy of Urbino was known throughout Europe as a real "beacon" of Italian art and culture. Other cities with a good level of economic and cultural development were Camerino, Fano, Pesaro, Senigallia, Fabriano and San Severino Marche.

Between the mid-sixteenth and early decades of the seventeenth century, the cities of Marche became part of the Papal State, which abolished smaller political entities. The period of recession that followed this event was interrupted only by the pontificate of Clement XII, who in the 18th century built a road through the Marche, now called Vallesina, and breathed life into the regional economy by declaring the port of Ancona free.

During the Risorgimento period, Marche participated in the struggle for unification. The final battle for the unification of Italy took place here: the Battle of Castelfidardo allowed the union of the territories conquered by Garibaldi in the south with those acquired by Vittorio Emanuele II in the north.

Transport and infrastructure

Airports

The largest airport in the region is Ancona-Falconara Airport, where both national carriers and the most important international charter companies operate.

The second airport used for domestic flights is in Fano.

The main port of the Marche is Ancona, in 2010 the first in Italy in terms of international road and passenger traffic, with a passenger traffic of more than 1.5 million, one of the first ports in the Adriatic in terms of freight traffic.

Other important port cities: Pesaro, San Benedetto del Tronto.

Tourist ports are also found in the local seaside resorts - the port of Fano, the port of Civitanova Marche and the port of Porto San Giorgio, as well as the port of Senigallia and the port of Numana.

Road transport

The following main road arteries run along the Marche coast: the A14 - Adriatic highway and the A16 - Adriatic state road, connecting the region with the regions of Emilia-Romagna in the north and Abruzzo in the south.

Railway connection

The most important railway line passing through the region is Milan-Lecce, classified among the main Italian railway lines.

Another important railway route is the Rome-Ancona railway line.

Railways of regional importance are the lines Ascoli-Piceno-San Benedetto del Tronto, Pergola-Fabriano and Civitanova Marche-Fabriano.

The herd mentality that has gripped Russian tourists deprives them of much. They don’t go further than large Italian cities, or they huddle in a small area - . But in vain - on the Adriatic there are many magnificent resorts, much more cozy and quiet. The coast of the Marche region in this sense is a real treasure. Magnificent sandy beaches stretch for almost two hundred kilometers, interspersed with small azure bays, picturesque palm trees and miniature open-air cafes. There are no clearly defined city boundaries here; the beaches smoothly merge into one another. It has everything: hotels, luxury villas, historical monuments and many cyclists. The ancient towns of Marche are miniature, but despite this, they attract no less attention than the elegant and aristocratic ones. After all, it is here that there are more than a thousand outstanding historical and cultural monuments, 163 ancient sanctuaries and 34 archaeological zones. Impressive? But first things first.

We will begin our journey from the city of Loreto - an amazing place that carries an atmosphere of spiritual mystery. Why? Yes, if only because “Santa Casa” is located here - the house that became the earthly abode of the Virgin Mary. For any pious Christian, this is a real place of pilgrimage - after all, this house witnessed firsthand the times of the Immaculate Conception, Annunciation and Resurrection. It was transported from Palestine by the crusaders, namely the Angeli dynasty. This is why locals say that the “holy stones” were brought to Loreto by angels. The house of the Holy Virgin itself was surrounded by a kind of marble sarcophagus, around which nine chapels were built, painted by artists of various nationalities. The Americans approached their version of the mural from a somewhat unusual technocratic position - on its walls, in addition to clumsy aircraft, you can also find a portrait of Yuri Gagarin. The artist depicted the entire history of the development of aeronautics, the crown of which is represented by astronautics. Well, how its embodiment is the famous smile of the first cosmonaut of planet Earth.

Ascoli Piceno - Piazza del Popolo

Next stop is Ascoli Piceno. The town is miniature, but priceless for tourists - it’s a pity that our compatriots neglect it. The main historical feature of this city is that it was founded even earlier than Rome. The locals are immensely proud of this circumstance, with or without inserting the saying “when sheep were still herded in Rome, Ascoli was already a large city.” The entire center of Ascoli is built from a special type of marble - light gray travertine, which gives the buildings a somewhat boring appearance, which, however, is quite suitable for the local narrow streets. In a word, a classic ancient Italian city with a modern twist: many museums and an obligatory point of the cultural program is the main city square. Here she is one of the most beautiful in Italy. Piazza del Popolo is closed on all sides, just like Piazza San Marco in Venice. Even the layout is similar - you can’t get to it directly, only by turning the corner along the alley. Immediately the eye falls on the Palazzo dei Capitani and the Church of St. Francis, and the “dovetails” on the buildings evoke a surge of warm feelings in every Muscovite - the same ones are on the walls of the Kremlin. Another beautiful square is Piazza Arringo. The Palazzo dell’Arrengo located on it often evokes questioning glances from tourists. The thing is that the stone women supporting the windows are pregnant. This architectural decision is explained by a moral message to the city authorities: when making decisions, they must be guided by the good of future generations.

Porto San Giorgio photo Panaramio.it

Next is the lovely resort of Porto San Giorgio. Where else can ripe oranges hang so defiantly, which passers-by don’t care about? What place has the same pure golden sand and turquoise sea? “Peace and quiet” is the only thing that comes to mind. Another thing is striking - the city has been standing since the 11th century, and absolutely nothing has changed. In the town of Fermo, for example, until the very end of the last century, residents used a rainwater collection system designed by the ancient Romans. The old castle of Porto San Giorgio, built in the 12th century, is empty, and only occasionally hosts city festivals. There are still the same couple of streets, shady alleys and microscopic cafes - it seems that the locals do nothing but drink and walk sedately, thinking about something personal. But this is only at first, superficial glance. The local residents simply live in harmony with time, as if protected from the outside bustle by massive city stone walls.

Marche is also good because it is located in the central part of the Apennines: if you really want, you can visit the “main” cities - and Rome. It would be a crime to forget about the excellent cuisine of this region. The signature dishes of local establishments with stuffed giant and spicy ones will make you believe: everything you had the misfortune of trying before is a trifle and pampering. Restaurants, where Cozze alla Marinara (mussels) and Porchetta di maiale (suckling pig) occupy a special place on the menu, tease with an abundance of dishes. And if we add to this a rabbit, which in some incomprehensible way got into the mentioned piglet (Coniglio in porchetta)? What about dried cod ancona style (Stoccafisso all’Anconetana)? And what about fish broth (Brodetto di pesce), which seems banal at first glance, but becomes unique upon tasting?

There is a whole chain of small resorts on the coast. For example, Portonovo - with hills covered with lush greenery approaching the sea and a sandy beach. Sirolo and Numana are famous for their picturesque bays; next to Pedaso there are mussel farms, which you can taste without even getting up from your beach chair. Porto Sant'Elpidio is hidden from prying eyes by a pine forest, and Cupra Marittima will surprise you not only with its pristine sandy beach, but also with a unique museum of sea shells.

It is worth noting that in almost all Marche resorts the season is quite short: the bulk of vacationers arrive here from mid-July to the end of August. Therefore, if you want to enjoy all the delights of local resorts, but without the constantly seething mass of people, your time is June or early September. at this time it’s still pampering, and the lion’s share of restless vacationers have already left for their stuffy cities.

It is about this, about the central part of Italy, about the province of Marche, that I would like to tell the world today... The beauty of this province is that the attractions are scattered throughout its territory, and not concentrated in a few large cities. And in almost every, even the smallest settlement, you can find such cultural value that will take your breath away...

I invite you to go with me to a place where there are not many tourists, but there are more than enough historical and cultural values...Where people have not lost their friendliness. To a place where culinary traditions are still preserved. Where prices are still affordable. And a hotel room or rented apartment can accommodate you for relaxation, without the cost exceeding the bounds of reason...

And where, you ask, is this paradise?

I invite you to the province of Marche. And first, I suggest you look at the map... See? Let’s try the “by contradiction” method, i.e. from the "opposite". The Marche border strip on its northern side is only 40 km away. from the popular “Russian” resort of Rimini. Arriving in Rimini, you will receive maximum care for yourself practically from the plane - starting with restaurants, sun loungers and umbrellas on the beach... you will instantly be asked to part with your money... Unpretentious beach hotels on the principle of “bed-bed”, “shop tours” or “gastronomic” according to your taste and wallet size, excursions to distant lands and to the distant kingdom at fabulous prices, of course, because Rome, Venice and Florence are 3-4 hours away from Rimini. And most importantly! Everywhere they are waiting for you and everywhere they speak Russian warmly... Even in the state of San Marino (where you will certainly be asked to go from Rimini), store sellers of a tiny but self-sufficient state will offer you bags, wines and brands in the language native to our hearts... That's where I'll I don't invite you. You can go there on your own and without any fear of getting lost, but for fear of losing “everything that has been acquired through back-breaking labor.”

We continue to study the map... Such a green part of Italy... in the middle part... Exactly! Located between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea. Here... In the north it borders with Emilia Romagna (the famous Rimini is also here, about which I have already given a little information), with the Republic of San Marino (also already mentioned), we look to the east - Tuscany and Umbria. We look further south - from Lazio and Abruzzi...

One of Marche's advantages lies in its proximity. The region has absorbed all the best from its numerous neighbors without losing its traditions. The successful neighborhood has affected literally all areas: culture, art, employment, and, of course, cuisine... Exactly! Diversity- distinguishes the Marche region from other provinces of Italy.

Second advantage - sea! You can object to me, especially if you splashed around in the coastal waters of Rimini, they say, the Adriatic Sea is shallow, not picturesque, not interesting... That’s right, off the coast of Rimini and a little to the south, it looks exactly like that. This is the region of Emilia-Romagna. However! The beaches near Ancona (the capital of Marche) are impressive with their beauty and are among the 10 most beautiful beaches in Italy... The mountainous terrain gave the province the freshest air and mountain rivers: Metauro, Cesano, Tronto, Potenza, Esino. Are you looking at the map? Or am I the only one admiring these natural gifts of the province? All these rivers flow into the Adriatic Sea. "So what?" - you ask.

And the fact is that thanks to the desalination of sea water by mountain rivers, the inhabitants of the bottom feel excellent in such water... And here you have numerous fishing ports, bazaars, shops and fish restaurants. And it is no coincidence that Brodetto, a soup made from freshly caught fish and seafood, is considered a traditional Marche dish. Whatever was caught in the morning ended up in the soup. But even Brodetto is prepared in its own way in each city. This soup cannot be called a soup in the usual sense... It is a “huge seafood platter” with a little broth and croutons for dipping. Why am I describing this? Here's a photo.

Does it look like soup? And, of course, you should eat soup where the fish are caught, therefore, on the coast. For example, look at the map from north to south: Pesaro, Fano, Civitanova, San Benedetto del Tronto. All these cities have a fishing port, which means there is plenty of fish to cook a delicious Brodetto!

So, the Adriatic Sea on one side and the mountains on the other. Such geographical limitation and inaccessibility have forced the region to develop independently since ancient times. So Marche grew into a powerful and self-sufficient... The forest provided paper and furniture! Forest... “And in the forest there are flowers, berries, mushrooms,” as the children’s cartoon song says. This is true. Famous Tartuffo mushrooms! Mmm... About food again?!

You see, they’ve already forgotten about the sea... That’s right, why lie on the beach when the best fashionable shoes are produced in Marche... Let’s jump into the car and go to the factories! To the city of Macerata or Ascoli - Pecheno. What about clothes? Personally, I like Italian brands without a big name. You can do without factories, and just stroll through the shops of the cities of Fano and Pesaro, and here you will find something to please yourself with...

Of course, I would really not like you to have the impression of me as a person with eternally hungry eyes. But I can’t help but write that the region is rich in its own olive oil, its own excellent wine, and cheese for every taste. The Pecorino cheese made from sheep's milk, which I adore, is also produced here. And if it’s still from the pit... After all, they make delicious ravioli with cheese from the pit in Marche. They resemble our dumplings with cottage cheese, but again, as in the case of fish soup, they have nothing in common with our dumplings.

My God! I’ve already written so much, but not a single word about the sights. Incredible! When I was getting ready to write an article, I was thinking about what to write there, quickly about this and that. But it turns out that it’s no longer an article at all... It looks like Marche is laying claim to a whole book...

Well... Let's talk about the sights then. Back to geography again. The name of the province itself, Marche, translated in Old German means “mark” or “border”. In the 11th century, the Marche territory became the border of the Holy Roman Empire. And so it stuck: the border of the Roman Empire is Marche.

If we turn to historical facts, the Marche region has been inhabited since Neolithic times. There is evidence that Balkan and Greek tribes lived in this territory back in the 2-3 millennium BC. They lived and did not grieve until the Romans became interested in the strategic lands of the region. Ancona (the capital of Marche) was already the most important trading port! Ancona! Isn't this city worth visiting?! Don’t you want to be in the square where trade relations were built and history was made even before our era? But many people go to Ancona just to plunge into the beautiful sea... Oh, although... To be honest, I really want to go to the beautiful sea too!

Once upon a time, I read in one of the sources that pirates often hunted in these parts and the population was forced to flee from them to the mountains, so here’s migration... This story with pirates brought back memories of sea adventures on the pages of the book “The Odyssey of Captain Blood » Rafael Sabatini. And imagine my surprise that the writer Sabatini was a native of these places. It’s clear how not to write about the sea while being near the sea... in the thick of things, so to speak...

It should be noted that the province of Marche gave Italy and the world famous composers, opera singers, architects and artists, writers, mathematicians and teachers. And even one famous motorcycle racer - Valentino Rossi. I will not make a list of the names of all these figures, because each of them is part of the history of his city... Which means it would be more correct to talk about each of them according to his place of birth. Unfortunately, this article will no longer contain the stories of all famous natives. Somehow we dived so smoothly into the area of ​​culture and art... It was the pirates who knocked us off course, but we were talking about the “desired” territory.

In a word, someone always laid claim to a well-located region... There was a period when it was captured by the French... And only in 1869 the Marche region found peace when the Italian state finally united.

Well, that’s probably all that can be said by looking at the map... In a word, they said “Hello, Marche!”

But as a starter, so to speak, I want, due to my writing abilities, to lift the curtain on the natural beauties of the province.

Traveling by car is extremely pleasant because the road winds between
picturesque green hills, you can always stop and enjoy the views... And along the way, stop by a winery or small farm where olive oil is pressed. Or maybe...for wine or cheese from the pit...

The historical heritage of the Marche fits very harmoniously into the hilly landscape: from small villages on the peaks to castles and palaces. The lonely churches, cathedrals, and ancient villas of the local nobility are also delightful; as a rule, these views have already been captured on the canvases of famous artists and may well become your successful photograph.

If you choose to travel along the Adriatic Sea, then you will find a flat sandy coast, periodically separated by low hills, and in some places by steep cliffs. Therefore, the choice of a beach holiday depends only on your desire and mood... Today it can be kilometers of sand and a wide, busy beach, and tomorrow - a secluded cove or a rock, which for the moment will belong only to you and the open Adriatic Sea.

Nature... Or maybe you want to go to snow-capped peaks, mountain rivers and waterfalls? Then it’s towards Umbria, towards the Apennines. There you will find thermal springs, both drinking and swimming... And all this - Marche!

Don't want to go to the mountains and forest? Do you want city parties and narrow European streets? Everything is for you!

Each of the Marche towns resembles the scenery for a medieval play: gray or orange tiled roofs, paved promenade streets, large and small squares, in the summer season, where, as a rule, in the evenings, some kind of action certainly takes place. They sing, dance, recite poems, sell local products or relax in cafes... And all these miracles are concentrated on an area of ​​9.7 thousand square kilometers (3.2% of the entire territory of Italy). A small area with incredible diversity within its territory... Well, that's it! I hope this information is enough for you to say to yourself: “I want to go to March!” I hope that you will not regret your choice for a minute... I, in turn, promise that I will write more articles about each of the towns and their amazing stories...

When thinking about where to go in Italy, take note of Marche. The region has all the attractive components. Clean beaches of the Adriatic, the picturesque Conero nature reserve, lovely historical cities with attractions and what we love most about Italy is delicious cuisine.

In the photo: the square of the Italian town of Ascoli

Before the numerous vacationers who fill neighboring Emilia-Romagna in the summer have discovered Marche, hurry up to see and feel it. We have already been there and selected the main points that we need to pay attention to.

ADRIATIC SEA

180 kilometers of coastline, 9 bays and 16 blue flag beaches. In Marche you will find places to sunbathe and swim. There are several places that you can choose for a beach holiday: Senigallia, San Benedetto del Tronto, Gabbice Mare.

In the photo: San Benedetto del Tronto beach

Italians love Senigallia for its sandy beaches. In San Benedetto, palm trees are planted along the embankment, and there is white sand on the shore, which is why they decided to call the town the Italian Miami.

In the photo: the promenade of San Benedetto del Tronto

RIVIERA CONERO

There are 12 natural parks in Marche, protected by the state. We liked the coast of Portonovo most of all, surrounded by the picturesque Conero Park. There is vegetation here (connoisseurs of coniferous trees, like those in Istria, will be glad to see their abundance here), mountains, and the sea.

For an original place to stay, we recommend the Fortino Napoleonico di Portonovo, a former Napoleon's fort located right in Conero Park, with views of the Adriatic and an excellent restaurant for dinner.

But in general, the landscapes of Marche sometimes resemble the tranquil Tuscan ones - the same green hills and ancient houses, and in the distance you can also see the white peaks of the Apennines.

LORETO

In the photo: the basilica in the town of Loreto

We move from nature to cultural values. The town of Loreto, closest to the capital Ancona, is famous for its basilica, where pilgrims come every year. Inside the church is Santa Casa, the house where the Virgin Mary was born.

In the photo: Santa Casa, the house where, according to legend, the Virgin Mary was born

According to legend, the house was moved by angels in 1291 from Nazareth; according to documents, it was transported in parts in the thirteenth century on a ship with the participation of a noble Italian family. By the end of the fifteenth century, a basilica was built for the relic. Now Santa Casa is located in a separate chapel along with an unusual statue of the “Black Madonna”.

ASCOLI

The Ascoli were founded by Italic tribes even before Rome; a road and bridge have been preserved from ancient times. In the Middle Ages the city became known as the “city of a hundred towers”, which were visible even at the entrance to Ascoli.

In the photo: the central square of Ascoli, Piazza del Poppolo

Nowadays there are significantly fewer Romanesque and Gothic towers left; you can try to count them while walking. The central square, Piazza del Poppolo, paved with gray marble, is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy.

The latter is arguable, but don't miss the historic Café Meletti located here. The Meletti brand has been producing Anisetta anise liqueur for 140 years. In 1903, the Meletti family bought the former post office building and transformed it into an elegant Art Deco coffee house.

The vaults in the cafe are painted with frescoes, the chandeliers are made in the shape of anise leaves, the marble tables and Viennese chairs look like they were 100 years ago.

You need to drink anise liqueur, snacking on a coffee bean, or just coffee with the same liqueur. Meletti is so beautiful that it is impossible to leave quickly.

In the photo: anise liqueur at the Meletti cafe, anise liqueur should be drunk with coffee beans from glasses with a thick stem.

URBINO

In terms of attractions, Urbino is considered the most attractive city. Firstly, this is the birthplace of Raphael; the house of the artist’s parents has been preserved here, which functions as a museum.

Secondly, the city boasts its own Palazzo Ducale, a Renaissance ducal palace. It is included in the UNESCO heritage and is one of the most remarkable palaces in Italy. Palazzo Ducale was built under the supervision of Duke Federico da Montefeltro, who ruled Urbino from the mid-fifteenth century.

A portrait of Federico by Pietro della Francesca hangs in the Uffizi, and behind the Duke there is a view of the city from the windows of the palace. The palace is designed as a fortress, with round towers on the façade inspired by the architecture of minarets. The Duke was a great admirer of antiquity, ordered the construction of a pagan “Temple of the Muses” in the palace, and hung portraits of Ptolemy, Plato and Aristotle in his office.

The walls in the cabin are covered with inlaid wooden panels with an optical effect, it seems as if there are astronomical instruments and books on the shelves. The palace has an impressive spiral staircase, seemingly endless, and balconies with an impressive panorama. Be prepared, school tours often take place around the palace, so it will be noisy.

PURCHASES

There are many factories of large Italian brands in the region, as well as shops and outlets. It’s easy to buy Tod’s, Hogan and Santoni shoes at a significant discount. To get to the shops, you will have to take a car; the factories are located far from tourist areas.

GASTRONOMY

We will pay special attention to gastronomic pleasures, there are many of them here. The proximity of the Adriatic provides seafood.


In the photo: lobster in Fortino Napoleonico

In Portonovo they catch wild mussels, which are served with butter and bread. The main pastas are those with langoustines, shells and shrimp.

Try local variations of prosciutto, such as Prosciutto di Carpegna. Marche has wonderful village cheeses - pecorino, stracciatella (stretchy cheese in cream), ricotta, buffala, as well as formaggio di fossa (hard cheese like pecorino, which is eaten with apple marmalade).

Particular attention to the wonderful white wine Verdicchio. In Italy, friulano from Friuli is traditionally considered the king of white wines, but, as we see it, if Marche winemakers take up the promotion of verdicchio, the position can be reconsidered.

Verdicchio is a fine, aromatic wine that has been made in the region since the 14th century, and its modern variations go well with seafood cuisine.

In the photo: seafood pasta and Verdicchio wine

And finally, to everyone who, when hearing the word “truffles,” begins to wiggle their nose dreamily. They are found here! Black and precious white truffles are harvested in the mountains of the northern Marche. People in the region love to tell stories of how cyclopean-sized mushrooms were sent to John Paul II and, more recently, to Barack Obama. So Piedmont also has a competitor.

In the photo: pasta with truffle crumbs

We had a chance to taste black truffles at the excellent Osteria Dalla Peppa in the city of Fano. The mushroom, cut into pencil shavings, is placed on toasted white bread as an appetizer for “spumante”, and then the same shavings are added to tagliatelle in butter sauce. We know that truffles are not for everyone, but for our tastes they are mind-blowing.

Pictured: classic antipasti (snacks) from the Marche region

By the way, if you are in Fano (and then you definitely need to find this osteria), order the traditional La Moretta Fanese as a digestif - hot coffee with rum, anise liqueur and brandy. The ingredients are poured in layers, when mixed, it turns out great.

We thank the Marche region and the tour operator for organizing the trip ICS Travel Group . Charter flights to the regional capital of Ancona are operated by ICS from June 1 to early September.

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Lyudmila Egorshina- Lyudmila Egorshina is a former columnist for Afisha magazine and host of columns about travel, culture and fashion on the website elle.ru. She has traveled half of the world, but has a special penchant for Asian culture and Italian cuisine.