Marche

Italy
Ancona featuring a city
Discover a region with historic villages full of art and imposing ancient constructions, a beautiful landscape with the sea, valleys and mountains as a backdrop.

Le Marche (the Marches) is an Italian region in the central area of the country. This undulating land is dotted with beautiful valleys and short rivers flowing through. It also has a narrow coastline, as it borders the Adriatic Sea to the east. Visit this famous tourist destination in Italy where the finest Italian footwear is manufactured. See Roman triumphal arches, amazing castles, medieval streets and houses and impressive religious buildings.

The region is divided into the five provinces of Ancona, Ascoli Piceno, Fermo, Macerata and Pesaro e Urbino. The last one, Urbino, is considered one of the main centers of Renaissance art and history in Italy. Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, better known as Raphael, was born in Urbino in 1483. He was an Italian painter and architect and is considered one of the greatest masters of the Renaissance, together with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

In Urbino, stop at the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche (National Gallery), located inside the Palazzo Ducale. Here admire one of the most important collections of Renaissance paintings in the world, including the famous masterpiece by Raphael called La Muta (also called Portrait of a Young Woman). Visit the Casa Santi o Casa Natale di Raffaello, the house where Raphael was born, which is now a museum.

See stunning architecture in Le Marche as well. Marvel at the fine Renaissance square Piazza del Popolo in Ascoli Piceno and the impressive engineering work of the archaeological complex of Roman cisterns in Fermo. Take photos of the many beautiful palazzi, such as the Palazzo dei Diamanti in Macerata.

Visit the beautiful chiese (churches) of the region, including the Cattedrale Metropolitana di Santa Maria Assunta in Cielo (Fermo Cathedral) and the Basilica Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Ciriaco (Ancona Cathedral), with spectacular Romanesque and Gothic elements.

Get to know the Italian region of Le Marche. Enjoy its fine art masterpieces, learn its rich history and become familiar with its charming cities.

Popular cities in Marche

Ancona showing city views
Ancona
Known for Ports, Historical and Monuments

Reasons to visit

  • Porto di Ancona
  • Cathedral of San Ciriaco
  • Lazzaretto of Ancona
Ascoli Piceno featuring a city and street scenes as well as a small group of people
Ascoli Piceno
Known for Historical, Monuments and Museums
Gaze up at the hilltop fort that overlooks a gorge. Try the olive specialties in the cafés of the two main plazas.

Reasons to visit

  • Piazza del Popolo
  • Cattedrale di Sant'Emidio
  • Piazza Arringo
Fano which includes heritage architecture, a square or plaza and a fountain
Fano
Known for Friendly people, Beaches and Historical
In the well-known region of Italy called Le Marche, this popular seaside town is a perfect spot to appreciate Italian history and art.

Reasons to visit

  • Arch of Augustus
  • Chiesa San Francesco
  • San Domenico Church and Art Gallery
Senigallia featuring a bay or harbor and a sunset
Senigallia
Known for Historical, Ferries and boats and Castle
Known for its beach with perfectly soft sand, this peaceful town has stunning architecture and a fantastic range of cafés and restaurants.

Reasons to visit

  • Rotonda a Mare
  • Rocca Roveresca Castle
  • Rocca Roveresca
San Benedetto del Tronto featuring a city and general coastal views
San Benedetto del Tronto
Known for Beaches, Sea and Marinas
Meander around the palm trees of the coastal promenade and reach the heights of the historic center and its tower.

Reasons to visit

  • Palazzina Azzurra
  • Tower of Gualtieri
Pesaro showing heritage elements
Pesaro
Known for Art, Countryside and Historical
The birthplace of the renowned composer Gioachino Rossini is rightly lauded for its music, museums, striking architecture and fabulous beaches.

Reasons to visit

  • Spiaggia di Ponente