Plan a trip to Marche

The Le Marche region, which covers an area of 10,000 square kilometers (nearly 3861 square miles), is dotted with ancient cities, beaches, and promenades along the Adriatic Sea. The ancient villages and towns reveal a rich history, and you’ll find picturesque streets hidden between the walls, small markets with homegrown food stalls, and quaint restaurants that serve fresh, high quality local cuisine from the sea and the land. As in Tuscany, there are pastoral vacation homes as well as farms and villas for weekly rental – good starting points for day trips around this magical region.

Le Marche, which is located between the Adriatic Sea in the east and the Apennine Mountains in the northeast, tells a historical story that begins in the 4th century BC with the Greek settlement in the center of the peninsula. The first settlement was in the area of Ancona, an important port city that was later recognized as the capital of the region. The next chapter, at the beginning of the Middle Ages, belongs to the Holy Roman Empire whose southern border stretched here. Duke Federico da Montefeltro, whose impressive portrait hangs in the Uffizi Museum in Florence, ruled the northern part of the Marche region during the 15th century and left his mark here.

Urbino, located in the northern part of the region, was an important cultural center and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. It is recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. Urbino is also the birthplace of Raphael, who became the most important painter in Italy. In fact, Raphael is the only painter to whom a separate room was dedicated in the Vatican Museum, and he is also the only painter buried alongside the kings in the Pantheon. The palace of the Duke of Montefeltro in Urbino is now a museum that curates many important works from the Renaissance period. For this reason, there are those who claim that the Renaissance was born in two Italian cradles of civilization: Florence and Urbino.

The Le Marche region is also a center of musical classics. Rossini, the well-known composer of "The Barber of Seville” opera, was born in the beautiful coastal city of Pesaro in 1792. Throughout his life, Rossini was torn between his love of music and his passion for cuisine, and, in his honor, an opera festival is held every summer in Pesaro. Macerata is one of the largest and most beautiful cities in Le Marche and is home to the Arena Sferisterio open-air theater, the venue of the annual summer opera festival which is attended by opera lovers from all over the world.

Christian pilgrimage tourists are surely familiar with the impressive city of Loreto, located a short distance from the sea and a center for pilgrims from all over the world. According to Christian tradition, the home of the Virgin Mary and Joseph the Carpenter of Nazareth was carried by angels and placed in Loreto in 1294. The home is located within the Basilica of the Holy House which houses a collection of artworks by some of the most prominent artists of the late Renaissance.

The city of Ascoli Piceno is also considered one of the most beautiful and important medieval cities in the region.

The ancient town of San Leo has always lured writers, poets, and painters thanks to the imposing castle – one of the most beautiful and impressive castles in Italy- that towers over it.

San Marino, a tiny and hilly independent microstate, is nestled in the Le March region on the northeastern slopes of the Apennine Mountains. With an area of 61 km (nearly 24 miles) and a population of roughly 34,000, San Marino is one of the world’s small countries – and it is also one of the oldest republics. It has retained much of its historic architecture, and the capital, San Marino, which sits on the slopes of Monte Titano, brings the history alive with its medieval walled old town and charming cobblestone streets. On Monte Titano’s adjoining peaks are The Three Towers, 11th century castle-like citadels.

A growing number of people, including native Italians, are discovering the uniqueness of this beautiful and picturesque area, which contains hidden corners and amazing sites that are off the beaten track of many popular tourist routes.

In addition to urban attractions, this region includes spectacular highlights for nature lovers:

The Frasassi Caves are one of the largest complexes of stalactite caves in Europe. The Cave of the Spirit is the largest of these caves – in fact, its massive interior could hold the Milan Cathedral.

Monte Conero National Park is a beautiful, small paradise whose golden shores are dominated by the dramatic cliffs of Monte Conero and its limestone summit. The stunning beaches and picturesque villages along the park can also be reached by boat. The park offers great hiking and trekking trails and is home to some of the best restaurants around.

Monte Sibillini National Park is a larger park and one of the most beautiful natural parks in Italy. The eastern part of the park is in the Le Marche region, and the western part is in neighboring Umbria. The winter months offer skiing at a ski resort which is less crowded and busy than those in the north, and in the spring, nature and photography enthusiasts from all over the world come here to witness the spectacular blossoming of the bright colored flowers. In the summer, the ATV and hiking trails and the small lake for swimming, Lago di Fiastra, attract visitors, and in the fall you will enjoy the steaming cauldrons of lentil soup made with locally grown produce.

Food and wine lover? We’ve got you covered! Due to the diversity within the region, you’ll find a combination of seafood and mountain foods, known as Cucina Mare Monti. In the coastal areas, housewives and restaurants compete with each other for the most delicious local fish soup- "brodetto.” In the mountain areas you will find meat dishes seasoned with the local truffle mushrooms. The area is known for its wide variety of sausages and cheeses as well as a special local pasta called Maccheroncini Di Campione, a traditional macaroni pasta dating back to 1400 that is served with a rich ragout made of chicken, beef, and pork and has become the symbolic dish of Le Marche.

And let’s not forget the white Verdicchio wine that comes from the Monte Conero area and the red Piceno Rosso, whose vines cover the hills around the beautiful town of Ascoli Piceno. The town is also known for its famous antipasti dish, Olive Ascolane, which is named for it - green olives stuffed with meat, coated in batter, and deep fried.

The Le Marche region… beautiful and delicious in every season.