The Marches is an Italian region in central Italy.
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| Loreto Sanctuary of the Holy House Loreto Copyright All rights reserved © By itravelinitaly.com travelers from Italy Photo by Baldassarri Giuseppe |
The Marches is an Italian region in central Italy. Surprising and wonderful in its diversity, this region of Central Italy, with its winding yet symmetrical form, shows off its multi-faceted beauty through cliffs and caves that overlook unforgettable beaches, hills that are steeped in history, and rich traditions and cultures, all set against a backdrop of mountains (that are, by the way, well-equipped for ski lovers). The Marches are mostly comprised of hills and mountains; the region embraces the Adriatic side of the Umbria-Marche Appennines, yet in contrast features low-lying, sandy beaches. How could anyone forget the long expanse of fine golden sand that kiss crystal-clear waters at Senigallia Offering numerous lidos and pleasant seaside strolls, this area is a treat any time of day, but especially at sunset. No less lovely are Gabicce Mare, Pesaro, Fano, Civitanova Marche, Porto San Giorgio, and San Benedetto del Tronto. If you’re looking to unwind and recharge, visit one of the many fashionable resorts frequented by high society as far back as the Nineteenth Century. For those who love extreme nature, on the other hand, the Conero Riviera offers amazing views and patches of still unspoiled land, often only accessible via the sea or footpaths carved into the green Mediterranean scrub. Conero Riviera finds yourself amidst beaches, surrounded by bountiful nature and rocky mountains, and a sinuous landscape shaped by the wind and the sea. This is the Conero Riviera, one of the most beautiful maritime environments in the Marches Region. The Riviera boasts several picturesque towns, more precisely Sirolo, Numana, Marcelli, Porto Recanati, and Portonovo, all of which provide accommodations with all the amenities, as well as opportunities for water and beach sports, relaxation, and fun. Also in Macerata are Recanati, the birthplace of Giacomo Leopardi; Camerino, with its prestigious university; Tolentino, decidedly picturesque and a regular tourist attraction; and the beaches of Civitanova Marche. Culture has been the centerpiece of Macerata Province since the era of Father Matteo Ricci, who left Italy at 26 years old to travel to the Far East to open passage to China. The Marches protect its natural environment through its National and Regional nature reserves, the oases of the WWF reserves, and the Monti Sibillini and Monti Della Laga National Parks are peerless in their scenery and trekking offerings. Don’t miss the Frasassi Caves, a must-see for tourists from all over Europe. Of great interest to speleologists due to their karst (or dissolved limestone layers), this underground landscape is truly awe-inspiring - especially considering that parts of it have been lived in practically since time began. Orchards and vineyards as far as the eye can see cover the hills of Piceno and extend through the Esino Valley; they surround farmhouses that offer the hospitality and genuine tastes of times past. Manor houses or old sharecroppers’ farms, now used as agritourism, tell of a way of life no longer seen. The provinces of the region are Ancona (regional capital), Ascoli Piceno, Fermo, Macerata, Pesaro, and Urbino. This region’s great past can be seen in its art cities, its enchanting piazzas-cum-living rooms where the people meet to discuss the issues of the day, its medieval towns where time seems to stand still, and in its highways and elegant buildings. Ascoli Piceno is a monumental city with a Medieval historic center, including Piazza del Popolo - with its arched porticoes - and the imposing bulk of the Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo, featuring a crenelated tower. Visit the various workshops of local craftsmen, like those of violin makers, which attest to the skill and creativity of Ascoli’s inhabitants. On the first Sunday of August, the streets of the town serve as the background to the memorable Quintana, in which expert horsemen challenge each other at the Saracen Joust. Ancona, an ancient port hub known as the “Gateway to the East,” is home to valuable monuments and an inviting beach. The Cathedral of San Ciriaco rises on the site of an ancient Greek acropolis and is considered as one of the most interesting Medieval churches in the Marches. The region - comprising the historic center of Urbino - is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's Palazzo Ducale is an enthralling architectural and artistic example from the Italian Renaissance. Another town to visit is Gradara, with its fortress, a magnificent example of medieval military architecture. According to legend, the fortress is where Paolo and Francesca kissed, as written in Canto V of Dante’s Inferno. For religious tourism, the Sanctuary of Maria di Loreto is an important step, as it is considered one of the major pilgrimage destinations in Catholicism. If you love classical music, Pesaro hosts two weeks of complete immersion into the music of Gioacchino Rossini (a native of Pesaro) every August. The Rossini Opera Festival has become an unmissable appointment for classical music lovers from all over the world, set in a stunning town where there is more on offer than just culture. Sweet-tooths can do no better than Fano during Carnival. Its origins buried in the mists of time, Fano’s Carnival has at least three distinguishing features: the throwing of sweets to the crowd from the allegorical floats; the traditional “vulon, a mask that caricatures the town’s best-known characters; and the music Arabica, a band whose instruments consist of tin cans, coffee pots, and jugs. by italia.it .
