Marches region

When you think of the region of The Marches, your mind is taken to lands of culture, art, history, folklore, fun and international events. There are numerous cities of interest: Urbino, Ascoli, Piceno, Camerino, Macerata, San Leo, Offida, Ripatransone, Montalto Marche and San Severino Marche are just a few. In addition, we can't forget the famous seaside resorts of San Benedetto del Tronto, Grottammare, Sirolo and Numana.


All of the places mentioned are characteristic of the The Marches landscape. We begin in the west in the stunning Sibillini mountain chain with its various national parks (Parco di Gola Rossa, Riserva dell'Abbadia di Fiastra, il Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini, Il Parco Nazionale dei Monti della Laga, La Riserva della Gola di Furlo); as we head towards the east, we notice the decline of the hills and the medieval castles and villages which, even today, retain their historic charm; continuing eastwards we reach the Adriatic coastline - one long beach interrupted only by the majestic Monte Conero.
Cities:
Ancona is the regional capital. Other important cities are Urbino, Ascoli, Piceno and Pesaro.

exploring Marches villas

Sirolo and Numana

At the southern foot of Monte Conero lies the beach of Numana, one of the two bays formed under the cliff and overlooked by the historical town centre, known as Numana Alta. Prior to the eighth century BC, Greek merchants came to this Picene harbour and shortly afterwards Numana was occupied by the Greeks who controlled Ancona; later it became an important Roman town. In the historical town centre of Sirolo, bounded by massive walls since the Roman era, opens a fantastic belvedere on the promontory of the Conero, an isolated rocky outcrop on the flat Adriatic coast.
This splendid view over the Regional Park shows a magnificent mountain overlooking the sea, covered in pines and larches, which in the summer turns yellow with gorse. Descending to Sirolo by steep woody paths from which there are wonderful panoramic views, we reach the beautiful Urbani beach. Crescent-shaped, the fine gravel beach ends in a jetty. A natural grotto opens in the cliff face, beyond the bathing establishments.

localities of Montefeltro

Pesaro is the departure point of a tour that touches on both faith and art. It begins in the local sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie, formerly the church of San Francesco, which was erected in 1325 at the orders of the Minorite.
In 1922, the sacred image of the Crowned Virgin by Cardinal Spada in 1687, was transferred there from the Chiesetta di San Marco. This church is a gothic art gem with a wonderful doorway constructed (in the 14th century) from white stone from Istria and red stone from Verona.
Heading in a northerly direction, you arrive at Tavullia, (until 1940 called Tomba) which has two sanctuaries: S. Pio and della Madonna del Monte (in the hamlet of Montpeloso).
We continue to Urbino where we can admire the famous and majestic Palazzo Ducale, not only a jewel of the Renaissance Italy crown, with its splendid renaissance court but also a fortified residence situated above the Mercatale (market).
The court is reachable by a helix staircase created by Francesco di Giorgio Martini which allowed access between the Montefeltro residence with the stables of Data and the exterior of the walls.  The palazzo was ordered by Federico di Montefeltro and is the work of the celebrated Dalmation architect Luciano Laurana who produced the designs for the spectacular courtyard of honour, the great staircase, structures connecting the building to the old Castellare (castle) and the magnificent façade of the Torricini.

In Sassocorvaro there is the Sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie and the 1400AD fresco in the church of S. Giovanni Battista.
Continuing towards Montefeltro, at Montecerignone there is the Santuario del Beato Domenico Spadafora (between the 18th and 20th centuries) where, in the left nave, are the remains of Beato domenico, born in Sicily in 1450.
Passing through the many places so rich in history, art and spirituality, you cannot help having a look at San Leo. In the town there is the Pieve, the 14th-16th century basilica and the romantic Duomo (1173) which houses the tomb of S. Leone.  A few steps away is one of the most ancient Franciscan convents: Sant'Igne which was founded by Saint Francis himself.