Marches Travel Guide

Introduction

Situated between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines, the Marche (or Marches in English) is a pleasant agricultural region bordering San Marino and Emilia-Romagna to the north, Abruzzo to the south, and Umbria to the west. It was originally named for the medieval March of Ancona and nearby marches of Camerino and Fermo.

The region's star attraction is the walled city of Urbino, which flourished during the Renaissance, and has justifiably been recognised as a World Heritage Site.

Famous people from the Marches include (chronologically): the Roman politician Pompey, the Renaissance painter and architect Raphael, the Enlightenment writer and philosopher Giacomo Leopardi, the composer Gioachino Rossini, the educator Maria Montessori, and the motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi.

Cuisine

Marchigian cuisine is fairly disparate and traditional. It is particularly famous for its brodetti, fish stews typical of the Adriatic coast that have constitued an essential part of fishermen's diet since ancient times. In Ancona, the regional capital and main seaport, you will find the brodetto all'Anconetana, a thick tomato-based stew made with 13 different types of fish and shellfish. Traditionally these usually include red mullet, scorpion fish, turbot, cuttlefish, squid, shrimps, langoustine, mussels, and clams, but ultimately depends on what's available at the market.

Other culinary specialties from the Marches include brodetto di Porto Recanati (fish stew flavoured with wild saffron), brodetto di San Benedetto del Tronto (fish stew with green tomatoes and sweet green pepper), olive ascolane (olives stuffed with ground prosciutto and pecorino cheese, and sometimes eggs or tomatoes, then battered and fried - specialty of Ascoli Piceno), passatelli all'urbinate (spinach and meat dumplings - specialty of Urbino), and vincisgrassi (lasagne made with onions, mushrooms, veal or chicken liver in a Béchamel sauce - specialty of Macerata).

The Marches have an abundance of cured meats such as coppa (aka capicolo; dry-cured whole pork shoulder or neck), ciauscolo (smoked and dry-cured pork sausage), mazzafegato di Fabriano (mortadella made from fat and lean pork with liver and lung), prosciutto del Montefeltro (smoked dry-cured ham made from black pigs with vinegar and ground black pepper), salame lardellato (sausage made of lean pork shoulder with diced bacon, salt, pepper, and whole peppercorns).

The province of Pesaro is Italy's biggest truffle producer, especially renowned for the rare and expensive white truffles.

There are 12 DOC or 5 DOCG wines in the Marches, although most of them are little known outside of Italy. The Marches produces 2 million hectolitres of wine annually, 20% of which is DOC(G). The region is best known for its crip, refreshing white wines, such as Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, which has been called the best wine for fish in Europe, and Verdicchio di Matelica. The Verdicchio owes its name to the slight green hue of the wine made from this grape variety.

Attractions

North

Urbino ※

Urbino, a walled city in central Italy's Marche region, boasts a rich history dating back to ancient Roman times. Originally known as Urbinum Mataurense, meaning "the little city on the river Mataurus," it was a modest Roman settlement that grew into a strategic stronghold. The city reached its zenith during the Renaissance under Federico da Montefeltro's rule (1444-1482), becoming a cultural hub that attracted artists like Piero della Francesca and Raphael, who was born here in 1483. Today, Urbino's historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1998, offers visitors a chance to step back in time with its well-preserved Renaissance architecture, including the fairytale-like Palazzo Ducale. Interestingly, the city's walls were designed following Leonardo da Vinci's plans, showcasing the intersection of military strategy and artistic genius that characterized the Italian Renaissance.

Senigallia

Senigallia wsa founded as Sena Gallica in 284 BCE, it was the first Roman colony on the Adriatic coast, serving as an important military and logistic base. The town's name derives from the Gallic Senone tribe who settled there in the 4th century BCE. Senigallia's strategic location made it a coveted prize, leading to numerous conquests and reconstructions throughout its history. Today, visitors can explore remnants of its past, including the impressive Rocca Roveresca fortress, while enjoying the town's famous velvet beaches. The annual Fiera della Maddalena, a fair dating back to the 13th century, continues to attract merchants and tourists alike, echoing the town's historical importance as a center of commerce.

Castle of Gradara

Perched atop a hill, the Castle of Gradara is a magnificent medieval fortress that was built in the 12th century by the De Griffo family. This imposing structure boasts two sets of walls, with the outer wall stretching an impressive 800 metres. The castle's strategic location made it a coveted prize, changing hands between powerful families like the Malatestas and Sforzas throughout its history. While exploring its well-preserved interiors, visitors can marvel at the architectural ingenuity of the Middle Ages and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the Adriatic Sea. The castle is steeped in legend, famously associated with the tragic love story of Paolo and Francesca, immortalised in Dante's Divine Comedy. For history enthusiasts, the nearby area was once inhabited by the ancient Umbri tribe, adding a layer of pre-Roman intrigue to the site.

Other attractions

Cagli
Corinaldo
Fano
Mombaroccio
Pesaro

Centre

Ancona

Ancona, a charming port city on Italy’s Adriatic coast, boasts a rich history dating back to its founding by Greek settlers from Syracuse in 387 BCE. The city's name, derived from the Greek word for 'elbow', reflects the unique shape of its natural harbour. Ancona flourished under Roman rule, with Emperor Trajan significantly expanding the port in the 2nd century CE. The elegant Arch of Trajan was erected in 115 CE to honour the emperor who expanded the port. The city later became an important maritime republic, successfully defending itself against Holy Roman Empire forces in the 12th century. Today, visitors can explore the remnants of its storied past, including ancient Roman ruins, medieval architecture, and the National Museum of Marche, which houses a valuable archaeological collection.

Fabriano

Fabriano is celebrated as the birthplace of modern paper production, a tradition dating back to the 13th century, with its Museum of Paper and Watermarks offering fascinating insights. Fabriano's paper was so renowned that it was used by Renaissance masters like Michelangelo and Raphael. While the town flourished in the Middle Ages, its roots stretch back to ancient Roman times, when it was a settlement known as Attidium, part of the Roman road network that connected key regions of central Italy. Fabriano is also renowned for its craftsmanship, particularly in artistic papers and leather goods, and its historic centre is dotted with stunning medieval architecture, including the gothic-style Sturinalto Fountain. Today, visitors can explore medieval palaces, towers, and the 14th-century Cathedral of San Venanzio, while learning about the town's fascinating paper-making heritage at the Paper and Watermark Museum.

Other attractions

Arcevia
Macerata
Osimo
Portonovo
Recanati

Conero Regional Park

Conero Regional Park, established in 1987, is a natural paradise on Italy's Adriatic coast, boasting breathtaking views and diverse flora and fauna. The park's centrepiece, Mount Conero, emerged 5 million years ago and rises 572 metres above sea level, offering panoramic vistas of white pebbly beaches and crystal-clear waters. This area has a rich history, with Greeks landing here in the 4th century BCE, calling the promontory 'Komaros' (arbutus) and the curved coastline north of the mount 'Ancon' (elbow). The park is home to over 1,000 wild flora species, including rare flowers like Asphodeline liburnica and Bellevalia dubia. It's also a haven for birdwatchers, with thousands of migratory birds of prey using the forests as a safe shelter during their journeys between Africa and Europe.

Loreto

Loreto offers a blend of history, art, and stunning panoramas. The area was inhabited during the Roman period and is thought to have been part of the ancient Picentes territory, later integrated into Roman control after their conquest in the 3rd century BCE. The name Loreto derives from "lauretum," meaning "sacred grove of laurels," a nod to the area's verdant ancient landscape. The town's hilltop location provides spectacular views of both the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine Mountains. Art enthusiasts will delight in the Sanctuary's Renaissance masterpieces, including works by Bramante and Lorenzo Lotto. Interestingly, archaeological excavations have unearthed coins from the 13th century CE, linking the town to the Byzantine noble families of Komnenos and Doukas. The town's architecture, particularly the 16th-century Basilica, showcases the evolution of Italian design from the Renaissance to the Baroque period.

South

Ascoli Piceno

Ascoli Piceno is a charming town renowned for its stunning travertine architecture and Piazza del Popolo, often considered one of Italy’s most beautiful squares. Founded by the ancient Picentes people and later conquered by the Romans in 268 BCE, playing a crucial role along the Via Salaria, the vital salt road connecting Latium to the Adriatic coast. Traces of its Roman heritage include the remains of a theatre, the Ponte di Cecco, the Solestà Bridge, and parts of the city’s ancient walls. The city's skyline is punctuated by domes and bell towers, with its golden-hued travertine architecture creating a stunning medieval ambiance. Visitors can explore the magnificent Piazza del Popolo, lined with 13th-century buildings. Ascoli Piceno's strategic location at the confluence of the Tronto and Castellano rivers allowed it to withstand long sieges throughout history Ascoli is also famed for its olive all’ascolana—delicious stuffed and fried olives—and its rich cultural traditions, such as the Quintana, a medieval jousting tournament rooted in ancient Roman games.

Grottammare

Grottammare blends history and beauty with its pristine beaches and medieval architecture. Originally a Picene settlement, the town's name first appeared in the 10th century CE as "Grocte" or "Grupte", derived from its castle fortress perched atop a hill. It was an important port for Greek and Eastern commercial products as early as the 8th century BCE. In Roman times it was part of the bustling Via Flaminia trade route. Grottammare's unique combination of ancient history, coastal charm, and artistic heritage make it a hidden gem in the Marche region.

Monti Sibillini National Park

Monti Sibillini National Park, established in 1993, offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and ancient history. The park's limestone mountains, formed over 100 million years ago, showcase stunning geological features like chevron folds and U-shaped valleys. The park is steeped in legend, with tales of a prophetic sibyl living in a now-collapsed cave atop Monte Sibilla, a belief rooted in Roman mythology and later embraced by medieval lore. Visitors can explore diverse hiking trails, observe unique wildlife like the endemic crustacean Chirocephalus marchesonii in Lago di Pilato, and marvel at the park's rich biodiversity, including beech forests and subalpine meadows. The park is home to rare species such as the Apennine wolf and golden eagle, making it a paradise for hikers and nature enthusiasts.

Other attractions

Fermo
Porto Recanati
San Benedetto del Tronto