the MARCHE region Discovering

VADEMECUM FOR THE TOURIST OF THE THIRD MILLENNIUM

Discovering THEMARCHEREGION much apartofthe region wherebothcultureand theenvironmentarevery enjoyed. DiscoveringtheMarche meansdiscoveringa land ofexcellence beauty Discovering theMarchemeans takingapathin tory, convincingthem tocomeandvisitMarche. millennium withthemostimportantfeaturesofourterri- This guidebookismeanttoacquainttouristsofthethird Matteo RicciandFrederickII,allofwhomwerebornhere. Pergolesi, GioachinoRossini,GaspareSpontini,Father figures suchasGiacomoLeopardi,Raphael,GiovanBattista leys, theregionissetapartbyitsrarebeautyandnoteworthy chain, whichgentlyslopetowardsthe a pluralname.Featuringthemountainsof Italyʼs “GatewaytotheEast”,iscountryʼs onlyregionwith five thousandresidents,the with justoneinfourofitsmunicipalitiescontainingmorethan Pesaro andUrbino,Macerata,Fermo among itsfiveprovincesof slightly morethanamillionandhalfinhabitantsspread Overlooking the MARCHE ; discoveringtheMarchemeans gettingtoknowa Italy’s LandofInfiniteDiscovery Adriatic SeainthecentreofItaly, Made inMarche , closeathandandjustwaiting tobe Mario Luzi (Poet, 1914-2005) 1914-2005) (Poet, Luzi Mario East, the is Marche the me “...For the Orient, the sun that comes that sun the Orient, the at dawn, the light in Urbino in light the dawn, at Marche in Summer...” in Ancona, theregionalseat, , whichhasalwaysbeen brand. sea and along parallelval- Ascoli Piceno search of Apennine with , 3

Discovering the MARCHE region

GEOGRAPHY mountain, hillandcoast. three typesofterritory: Marche regioncontains as “Italyinoneregion”,the 239 municipalities.Known Fermo, Ascoli Piceno)with and Urbino,Macerata, provinces (Ancona,Pesaro Marche isdividedintofive an areaof9,366km Umbria and Tuscany. With Sea, andtothewestwith the eastwith Adriatic the Abruzzi andLatium;to Romagna; tothesouthwith to thenorthwithEmilia the pluralname,bordering Marches Marche medieval walls:thisis lages protectedby which sitcentury-oldvil- expanse ofgentlehillsatop coast, andinthemiddlean on theother Adriatic On onesidethe Apen , alsocalledthe , theregionwith nines, 2 , the the tal northof Anco the climateissubcontinen- 5° to13°C. Along thecoast, ature changesofbetween 10°C to15°C,withtemper- temperature rangesfrom land isvaried. The average diversified asthelayof The regionʼs climateisas CLIMATE THE delle Palme. The bestperi- the directionofRiviera features furthersouth,in increasingly Medi is subcoastal,presenting the climatesouthof Anco Monte Coneropromontory, the season.Dueto cold, withtherainstypicalof the sea,whilewintersare from thehillssetback breezes andthecoolair humid, thankstothe mers arehotbutrarely between theseasons:sum- sharp shiftsintemperature terranean na with na sports. engage inotherwinter to takeskiingand fall thatallowsenthusiasts are ratherbrisk,withsnow- are cool,andtheWinters mers inthemountainareas Spring and Autumn. Sum other sitesinthoseareas to visitvillages,parksand winter, makingitadvisable the inlandareasisharshin and August. The climatein od forbeachtourismisJuly Conero, SassoSimonee regional parks plus MontidellaLaga), Sibillini andGranSasso national parks protected total regionalterritory Marche, More than90,000acresof MOUNTAINS AND PASSES PASSES AND almost 10%ofthe . There are . There (Monte (Monti , are 4 2 5 -

Discovering the MARCHE region ring regions are routed through the Apennine pas- ses of Bocca Trabaria (Urbino-Arezzo), Boc ca Serriola (Fano-Città di Castello), Passo della Scheggia (Fano-Perugia), Colle di Fossato (Fabriano- Foligno), Passo di Colle - fiorito (Macerata-Foligno), Forca Canapine (Ascoli Piceno-Norcia).

Simoncello, Monte San Acuto (1,668 m), Catria THE GENTLE HILLS Bartolo and Gola della (1,702 m), Pietralata (889 The hilly zone, which Rossa plus Frasassi), 6 m), Paganuccio (976 m), accounts for two-thirds of nature reserves (Abbadia San Vicino (1,486 m), Bove the territory of the Marche, di Fiastra, Montagna di (2,169 m), Priora (2,334 m), is where the regionʼs natu- Torricchio, Ripa Bianca, Sibilla (2,175 m) and ral features and man-made Sentina, Gola del Furlo and Vettore (2,476 m). works blend together best. Monte San Vicino plus The highest mountain in the The gentle hills that flow Monte Canfaito), more than Marche is Vettore (2,476 towards the coast like 100 protected plant and m); the lowest is the sub- waves offer the eye-catch- flower areas, 15 state Apennine Monte Conero ing patchwork of colours forests, and over 60 envi- (572 m), the only portion of created by the different ronmental education cen- rocky coastline between crops. The orchards and tres. The forests still con- Trieste and Gargano, divi- cornfields that cloak the tain deer and wolves. Birds ding the Adriatic shore in sloping sides of the hills of note include the golden exactly two portions. Ap - cause the landscape to eagle, the lanner falcon, the proaching from the North, change from season to sea- chough and the eagle owl. this break is introduced by son. The rural appearance The regionʼs mountains Focara, which faces out to of the hills of the Marche is include: the Montefeltro sea and was once conside- a result of tenant farming chain, the Catria chain, the red a very dangerous pas- and the planting of multiple San Vicino chain and the sage (the name “Focara” crops, now replaced by Sibillini chain. Listed from would appear to derive from intensive, specialized plant- North to South, the main the fires that were lit on the ing. The main crops are still peaks are: Carpegna hill to warn ships). The wheat, grapes and olives, (1,415 m), Nerone (1,526 roads that connect the while marked growth has m), Petrano (1,091 m), Marche with the neighbou- been recorded in agro-food

6 of theirculturalandenviron- towns whosepreservation Italian Touring Clubto tigious bannergivenbythe the sites on nItaly” Towns in among the“ than Marche cuisine.Nofewer the traditionaldishesof organic productsortaste holidays orstoptopurchase where visitorscanspend tourism establishments tem andarenowagro- of thetenantfarmingsys- preserved thearchitecture landed estatehouseshave Many venerablevillasand ( Geografica Tipica” ( Designation ofOrigin ( Designation ofOrigin wines: 15 ty products of DOCG DOC , including Orange Flag 18 villages ), have beenawarded ) and 5 Most Beautiful certified quali- 1 21 different Guaranteed “Indicazione Registered , thepres- , and are listed IGT 17 ). and the Pieve Torina,Sas dellʼAso, MorrodʼAl Mon Sergio Anselmi, great economichistorian Senigallia, namedafterthe include themuseumin ture museums ofpeasantcul- reminders ofthepastin croppers arekeptas tools usedbytheshare- especially outstanding. The and foodofferings, prove their hospitalityandwine mental heritage,alongwith Filottrano. with thevenerablevillages green ofthehills,spotted Sea alternatewiththedeep cliffs facingontothe Adriatic stantly changing. The white coastal landscapearecon- forms andcoloursofthe Benedetto del Tronto, the From GabicceMaretoSan COAST THE . The bestknown Biroccio museum in so ferrato tefiore ba, settlement, whilethe“mari- a hillwhichwastheinitial walls ofacastleperchedon village villages presentan palms. Manyofthecoastal gravel orrock,reefsand beaches madeoffinesand, visitors afullrangeof related services,whichoffer quality ofthewatersand Awards tourist ports.16BlueFlag sea portof Ancona Adriatic, togetherwiththe resorts 26seaside line and 180 kilometersofcoast- by breakwaters. There are are protectedfromerosion promontory. Somebeaches by theMonteConero perfectly flatportionsdivided in twostraightandalmost of sandandclay, runsalong made upoffluvialdeposits long beaches. The coast, and theochrehueof , protectedbythe that faceontothe certify thehigh upper and 9 7

Discovering the MARCHE region waterfalls and rapids that have created spectacular ravines and gorges in the surrounding territory, such as the Furlo gorge, an area declared a National Nature Reserve in the vicinity of Acqualagna, and the Burano gorge in Cantiano, both found along the Via Flaminia in the Province of na”, a flat district running THE MAGIC OF THE Pesaro and Urbino. Rivers along the shore, was only WATER. THE RIVERS have also created the established later as a resi- AND VALLEYS, THE Rossa gorge and that of dential and business area. CAVES OF FRASASSI Frasassi, located inside the In some of the seaside AND THE GORGES regional park of the same towns, museums of the The region features a name, in Genga, in the sea have been opened, series of harmonious hills Province of Ancona, togeth- such as the “Washington bounded by numerous er with the Pioraco canyon, Patrignani” Museum in waterways that run parallel in the vicinity of the town Pesaro and the Piceno to each other, almost all of that bears its name, and the Mussel Museum in Cupra them flowing into the Fiastrone and Infernaccio Marittima. Today, San Be - Adriatic, with the exception gorges in the Sibillini nedetto del Tronto has a of the springs of the Nera, Mountains, to name just a museum complex with four located near the Sibillini few. The water, pure and different sections: the Fish mountains. The regionʼs crystal clear, or muddy and Market houses, the Museum main rivers are the Conca, boiling hot, with a rich load of Amphorae, the Fish the Foglia, the Metauro - of precious minerals, plays Museum and the Museum with its tributary the a key role underground as of the Marine Civilization of Candigliano - the Cesano, well, where the rivers the Marche, while the the Misa, the Esino, the descend and show their Palazzo Bice Piacentini, in Musone, the Potenza, the strength, hollowing out the old district of the upper Chienti, the Tenna, the Aso underground settings such village, holds the Picture and the Tronto. Water land- as the Caves of Frasassi, Gallery of the Sea. Any scapes have marked the one of Italyʼs most intrigu- number of sports can be Cossignano and Ca stigna - ing and best known karstic practiced along the Marche no areas, where the rain complexes and a site that coast, including windsurfing, water has carved charac - draws thousands of visitors waterskiing, sailing, diving, teristic gullies from the each year. In Acquasanta kitesurfing, swimming and sandstone escarpments. A Terme there are under- beach volleyball. number of rivers include

8 Chienti Valley, inthePro lakes canbefoundinthe gends. Fourman-made inspired anumberofle the SibilliniMountains,has inside theNationalParkof Marche, thePilato,located The onlynaturallakeinthe LAKES logists. open onlytoexpertspeleo subterranean watersbut over thecenturiesby ground cavescarvedout - - - of thewatercanbedisco Pesaro district. The magic metres fromFano,inthe Furlo basinliesthirtykilo- Lake Talvacchia, whilethe Ascoli Picenoareaholds Sibillini Mountains. The Fiastra inthefoothillsof near CamerinoandLake rola, thePolverinaLake Serrapetrona andCalda known asCaccamo,in the BorgianoLake,also Grazie Lakeat Tolentino, vince ofMacerata:theDelle - - streams. times containrushing deep ravinesthatsome- ble cordstodescendinto popular sport,canusedou- “streaming”, anincreasingly rapids. Enthusiastsof down) orraftingoverthe which isrowedsitting kayaking (inacoveredboat (kneeling inanopenboat), with naturebycanoeing vered inperfectharmony 9

Discovering the MARCHE region

THE HISTORY OFATIME-HONOUREDREGION The distinctivepluralname, ple originatingfrom theSabinearea. Their was occupiedby the the LowerPaleolithicperiod, territory bring thepastbacktolife.Inhabited since faithfully preservedstreets,seem readyto hazy intheancientvillageswhose narrow, between memoryandlegend growing its ownstorytotell,withtheboundary line Each cityortown,large,smalltiny, has the different spiritsthatanimate thisregion. ing borderland),isatangiblereminderof derived fromtheGermanic“Mark”,mean- graphic andadministrativefactors(itis traceable toanumberofhistorical,geo- Piceni , anItalicpeo- the Marches the , and Farfa(8 Benedectine order inthetownsofNorcia favoured thegrowinginfluence ofthe from Rome,thecentreofpapal power, confusion andtheconsiderable distance where theystillstand. The administrative tioning ofthevillagesatopthese heights, by forestsandcliffs, givingrisetotheposi- lowland areasforthehills,welldefended gradually ledthepopulationtoabandon the 4 Camerino wereestablished.Startingfrom sions, thefirst“Marches”ofFermoand Salaria tribes, suchasthe land chosenashomebyanumberofCeltic by GreeksofDoricoriginfromSiracusa),a thriving emporium; Ancona wascolonised activity conductedbysea(Numanawasa civilisation museums. Stronglyinfluencedby region andinthenumerousarchaeological civilisation canbefoundthroughoutthe Olympus.Furtherevidenceofthis Piceni Piceno). Cuprawasinfactadivinityofthe Cupra Marittima(Provinceof Ascoli Cupramontana (Provinceof Ancona) and ern-day townshavePiceniroots: the regionʼs logo. Two namesoftwomod- symbol, thewoodpecker, isusedtodayas ways (the majorconsularroad- the constructionof dation ofnumerous BC). The Romanpresence led tothefoun- Rome followingtheBattleofSentino(295 Marche wasmadeafullfledgedpartof th century, theinvasionsof theGoths ). Inthewakeofbarbarianinva- , thankstotheintensivetrading Via Flaminia th -9 th century): municipia, Galli Senoni and the monasteries as well Greek , the Via 11

Discovering the MARCHE region and abbeys were built primarily along the Leopardi, Gaspare Spontini and Gioachino main Roman roadways (the Via Flaminia Rossini. and the Via Salaria) and in the river valleys Between the 19th and 20th century, the eco- that climb up from the Adriatic Sea to the nomic structure of the Marche was plagued Apennines. In 1290 the first university was by readily apparent imbalances that founded in Macerata. When the Great delayed the start of industrial development plague ended in 1348, the Pope assigned for years. With the establishment of tenant Cardinal Egidio Albornoz the task of farming, agriculture continued to be the pre- reclaiming the territory from the local lords dominant activity, setting off large waves of and vicars who had usurped power and immigration to America, Argentina, bringing it back under the direct control of Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Rome. And so, in 1357 the Constitutiones France, a trend that did not stop until the Aegidianae was established, destined to First World War. The resistance during the remain in force until 1816. In the 15th centu- Second World War was also nourished by ry a number of feudal seigneuries flou - the regionʼs strong set of underlying ideals, rished, including the splendid courts of allowing the Marche to make a distinctive Montefeltro and Della Rovere in the contribution to founding the post-war repub- Duchy of Urbino, which was deeded over lic as well. Today the Marche is a highly to the Pontifical State in 1631, together with competitive region, open to the challenges the rest of the region. Other local ruling of the future while making the most of its families were the Da Varano in Camerino, centuries-old traditions and history, as well the Chiavelli in Fabriano and the as its excellence in the fields of art and cul- Malatesta in Fano. Between the 16th and ture, its natural surroundings and its highly 18th century, four popes were born in the capable social and economic framework. Marche, including Sixtus V (1585- 1590), who established the diocese of Montalto delle Marche as the bishopric and capital of the district of the same name. The admin- istrative system created during his papacy lasted until 1810. The arrival of Napoleon marked the start of the modern era. The Nineteenth Century was marked by the struggle for Italian unification (the battle of Castelfidardo on 18th September 1860), as well as being a period of major public works: in addition to the construction of the Ancona-Roma railway and the Tronto line, the Sphaeristerium arena was designed in Macerata. The 1800s were also a time of major cultural figures, including Giacomo

12 Discovering the MARCHE region

THE HEART OFTHEMARCHEBRAND CULTURE, tini Festival and the rium Arena ofMacerata stival intheSphaeriste tions, theMarche boastsa es. monasteries structures suchas a hostofimportantreligious its culturalheritageincludes ries, archivesandtheatres, regionʼs museums,libra Vallesina. Pesaro Opera Festival(ROF) including the events enliventheregion, manufacturers renownedpottery and atres Roman roads,amphithe- historic Rubens and Titian, plus Tiepolo, aswellP.P. Carlo CrivelliandG.B. Lotto, GiovanniBellini, della Francesca,Lorenzo such asRaphael,Piero masterpieces byartists Apennines from the looks valleysstretching hillside farmlandthatover- amidst arollingexpanseof historic villages network of The Marcheconsistsofa As forcivilconstruc- , historical libraries , the 18 Pergolesi Spon cities ofartand Along withthe : sitesthathold th sea and C. in Opera Fe . Cultural Jesi theatres Rossini abbeys, church- to the and set in - - - - , inventing and practicing art ofdoing, creating, between culture andthe where thecenturies-oldtie longest-lived, aregion make itsresidentsItalyʼs and environmentalhealth region whosequalityoflife continue toinspireit,a values andtraditionsthat also firmlyanchoredinthe region opentochange,but innovative outlook.Itisa and anextremelymodern, both amillennialhistory Marche isaregionwith and itswayoflife.Forthe regionʼs economicfabric over thecenturiesin become secondnature scale ofvalues culture isplacedonthe Marche isaregionwhere noble residences. The Europeʼs mostsumptuous Palazzo Ducale sioned thebuildingof da Montefeltro naissance, and acapitaloftheRe Urbino in allthecitiesandtowns.In key featuresarestillintact lively past:buildingswhose harking backtoaglorious, towns wealth of , a and castles, walled ueFederico Duke UNESCO City fortresses , oneof , having commis- - http://musei.cultura.marche.it Italian most symbolicpoemsof while readingoneofthe and theatresoftheregion walking amongthehills Dustin Hoffman, red the American actor throughout theworldstar Marche regioninItalyand meant topromotethe Brand is theheartof known worldwide. Made inMarche crafts hasusheredina Infinito great success. Marche, thevideometwith innovative visionofthe pardi. www.cultura.marche.it A 2010video . by With itsunique, literature, Giacomo Leo Marche Culture system shown the - - 15

Discovering the MARCHE region

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MARCHE ( Ascoli (Ausculum),wasthewoodpecker migrated inthedirectionofmodern-day because thesymbolofSabines,who Festus, Picenowasgiventhatname symbolising itsculturalunity. According to appears onthecrestofMarcheregion, than 2000years,tothe out therest oftheregion, foundingco next twocenturies, theypenetratedthrough- the Esino, wasoccupiedbytheCeltictribesof portion oftheMarche,fromMarecchiato the existence,between8 Pescara, in Abruzzo, tothesouth,point by theFogliaRivertonorthand numerous necropolisesintheareabounded name ofPiceniorPicentes. The discoveryof ney. This issaidtobethereasonfor had perchedontheirbannerduringthejour- and the3 territories onceandforall.Betweenthe4 Italy, untiltheRomansfinally conqueredthe player inthehistoryofthatportioncentral referred toasthe“Piceno”civilization:akey century BC,ofazonewhoseculturewas A stylised (Sentinum inantiquity)-the area betweenCamerinoandSassoferrato Romans andthePiceni,onother, inthe the Samnites,ononehand, against the Sentinum in295BC-pittingthe Gauls and Arcevia andSenigallia. After theBattle of Museum oftheMarche,werefoundin viewed todayattheNational Archaeological didly craftedgoldornamentsthatcanbe ments ofthispeople,whichleftbehindsplen- culture bynaming it pied theGallicterritory, underliningthelocal picus Galli Senoni ) abirdsacredtoMarsandonethat rd woodpecker century BC,thecentral-northern (Gauls). The chiefsettle- ager gallicus ager Piceni civilization dating backmore Romans th and the1 . Overthe lonies occu- th st , Ascoli Piceno);the tain cities(Pesaro,Fano,Senigallia,Jesiand and Ascoli Piceno);theurbanlayoutsofcer- Ancona, Arcevia, Urbino,Cingoli,Urbisaglia ums the artefactsof salt fromPortodʼAscolitoRome,aswell served astherouteforbringing Adriatic Sea Rome withFanoandthe Flaminia the present. Among theseare:the survived to which has dence of spread evi- palities, wide- and munici- ring thesummerseason. Marche host tragedy: thearchaeologicalsites ofthe comedy byPlautusoraclassic Greek the Marche,visitorscanwatch an ancient Roman-age saglia, FaleroneandCupraMarittima).Inthe leone diSuasa,SanSeverinoMarche,Urbi parks Piceno), plusthemany Salaria andtheSolestàBridgein Ascoli Pontericcioli; theGeminaGatealongVia Grosso BridgeinCantianoandthetownof Fermignano, theMallioBridgeinCagli, Vespasian intheFurloGorge,near Fano, alongtheVia Flaminia,the Tunnel of Arch in Ancona; the Arch of Augustus in on thewebsite: viewed, togetherwith additional,in-depthinformation, The videoonarchaeology intheMarchecanbe www.archeomarche.it , manyofwhicharestate-run(in (Fossombrone, Sassoferrato,Castel consular road,whichstillconnects theatres http://musei.cultura.marche.it theatrical performances archaeological muse- monuments and i Salaria Via amphitheatres archaeological (Trajanʼs , which Via du of 17 - - -

Discovering the MARCHE region

From FrederickIItoDante Alighieri From MonasticismtoSt.Francisof Assisi MEDIEVAL MARCHE also heavilyinfluenced by Rome. The Marchewas the firstpilgrims heading for along thepathstravelledby tance fromoneanother, Marche began springingupinthe monasteries andconvents the VIIandVIIIcenturies, the Tronto rivers,asearly tes, betweentheFogliaand easily travelledvalleyrou civilization. Thanks tothe of theformationWestern to becomeoneofthepillars ularity intheWest andwas was toenjoyenormouspop- rise toanewwayoflifethat the sanctityofprayer, gave on thedignityofworkand constitution andwerebased Monasticismʼs firstwritten “Rules” whichamountedto St. BenedictofNursia.Its charismatic personalityof century, thankstothe the West asearlytheVI century A.D. andspreadin born intheEastthird cism phenomenon of sula tohaveacceptedthe regions intheItalianpenin- having beenoneofthefirst by theMarche,isthatof Among themanyfirsts,set , aspiritualmovement , oftenatashortdis- Monasti - - Marche: emperor medieval historyofthe standing figuresmarkedthe onward. Two moreout- area fromtheXIIIcentury influencing thecultureof in thehistoryofMarche, ten anextraordinarychapter Franciscan Orderhaswrit- than 85convents. The Gradara, thesubject ofone Paolo andFrancesca in about thetragiclove storyof world literature.Justthink as welliconicfigureof focal pointsinthenarrative, land, transformingtheminto of sitesandfeaturesour references anddescriptions Divine Comedypresents and born intheroyalcityofJesi, II ofSwabia that province representedby Ancona. By1282,the nation wasthe from 1209,whenhisdesti- journey totheregiondates the start.St.Francisʼ first comed intheMarchefrom Saint, whowaswarmlywel- elective affinities withthe proximity toUmbriaandits Assisi, the figureof Dante Alighieri, March given theregionʼs held nofewer St. Francisof , (1194-1250), Frederick March whose of others, pray thee, if ever thou dost see the see dost thou ever if thee, pray others, Charles, thou be so courteous to me of thy of me to courteous so be thou Charles, «Whence I, who speak alone before the before alone speak who I, «Whence land that ʻtwixt Romagna lies and that of that and lies Romagna ʻtwixt that land devoutly, that I may purge away my grave my away purge may I that devoutly, of thebest-knowncantos torial identityoftheMarche. tions oftheculturalandterri- ical-geographical interpreta- earliest, ifnotthefirst,histor- Cassero providesoneofthe these words,Jacopodel land”: theMarche.With Romagna andCharlesʼ try whichliesbetween allowed togo“thatcoun- he comes,askingthatbe Dante theplacesfromwhich the Purgatory, describes to poet metinthefifthCantoof soul, whichthesupreme Jacopo delCassero,whose among otherstories,thatof Fano, atownwithtiesto, his exilewasdecreed,to Castel dellaPieve,where promontory ofFocara;from saglia, fromSenigalliatothe from MontefeltrotoUrbi travels throughtheMarche meets inParadise,Dante Damiani, whomthereader the existenceofSt.Pier Avellana, thefocalpointof lust tothesilenceofFonte www.francescanesimomarche.it the Inferno. Inferno. the prayers in Fano, that they pray for me for pray they that Fano, in prayers Medieval itinerariesin the Marche www.turismo.marche.it Dante Alighieri, Purgatory V 67-72 V Purgatory Alighieri, Dante From unbridled offences.» 19 -

Discovering the MARCHE region

FORTRESSES, CASTLES AND VILLAS The territory of the Marche, located between the Apennines and the coast, is character-

ized by gentle rolling hills, dominated by vil- the MARCHE region lages surrounded by walls or protected by strongholds. These places, less well known than the art cities, are appreciated not only by lovers of castles, medieval architecture and defensive military constructions. Brancaleone Castle in Piobbico. In the Discovering Splendid fortresses built for defence, or the province of Ancona it is also worth visiting desire to rule, can be admired in the province Arcevia and its nine “castles”, Corinaldo, with of Pesaro and Urbino: the Castle of Gradara its impressive town walls, the Fortress of and the Costanza Fortress by Luciano Offagna, with its Museum of medieval Laurana in Pesaro. In Mondavio, Sasso - Weapons, Sassoferrato with the Albornoz corvaro and Cagli, instead, it is well worth Fortress and Senigallia with the Roveresca visiting the fortresses built by the military Fortress designed by Baccio Pontelli. Close architect from Siena, Francesco di Giorgio to Macerata are Caldarola, with the Pallotta Martini. Not to be missed is the imposing Castle, and nearby the feudal castles of Pievefavera, Croce and Vestignano; Came - rino, surrounded by a defence system dating back to the time of the Varano family; San Ginesio, Tolentino with the Rancia Castle, and the Urbisaglia Fortress dominating the valley. Ascoli Piceno boasts the Malatesta and Pia Fortresses, as well as the nearby Acquasanta Terme, Castel di Luco and Arquata del Tronto, which were already well known in Roman Times. Also worth visiting is Acquaviva Picena with its grand fortress, and Moresco, crowned by a 12th century hexagonal tower. There are many villas, such as the Della Rovere Villa also called “Imperiale” near Pesaro, and Villa Buonaccorsi with a splen- did Italianate garden located in Potenza Picena. Tours of fortresses, castles and villas in the Marche www.turismo.marche.it http://musei.cultura.marche.it 21

From GothictotheRenaissance International THE MARCHEOFSEIGNEURIES da Milanoinaround 1436, nated byGiovanniUgolino Firmonibus (Museo del Tesoro), illumi- de Messale ween the14 the culturalrenewalbet the citiesatcentreof Camerino weresomeof San SeverinoMarche, Urbino, Fabriano,Fermo, national Gothic. tury, knownasInter ve tested bythesplendid chapter ofGothic Art isat Marche. InFermo,the 1436) wasborninthe ed outbyJacopoBellini, Venetian world”(aspoint- “highly renownedinthe Gentile daFabriano nal Gothic Art. masterpieces ofInternatio ered oneoftheEuropean saint. This workisconsid- cated tothelifeof (1416), withfrescoesdedi- San GiovanniBattista in beni brothersalsoworked behind them. The Salim leaving importantpaintings were bornandworked, and JacopoSalimbeni bolic citywhereLorenzo Urbino, rino Marche in theOratoryof th and 15 is asym- San Se th cen------, II, elegantnoblela re, nephewofPopeJulius cesco MariaIDellaRove under hissuccessorFran feltro, GuidobaldoIand last DukeoftheMonte the ducalcourtunder the cradleofItalian Art. In feltro liano deʼ Medici,Bernardo dassarre Castiglione,Giu personalities suchasBal zaga togetherwithother betta andEleonoraGon gathered, firstofallElisa with reached itsartisticpeak cultural revivalofthearea The flourished. nities Arts and FigurativeHuma conditions weresetout Rovere inSenigallia,new rano inCamerino,Della tefeltro inUrbino,DaVa Seigneuries suchasMon With thebirthof was afortunateperiod. Humanism intheMarche reached veryhighlevels. Oratory ofSt.Monica ture andattheFermo was alsousedinarchitec- Fiore. The GothicStyle paintings byJacobellodel and bythepreciouspanel Federico daMonte , whomadeUrbino dies ------ing the Bembo, whostartedwrit- Dovizi daBibienaand di Pietro. Amatrice andBernardino designed byColadi did porticoedsquare,were the Loggiaandsplen- noʼs PalazzodeiCapitani, buildings like Ascoli Pice Fano. OtherRenaissance gneury oftheMalatestain merino. Sodidthesei art ofthecapital,Ca history, thecultureand the re DaVarano Palace -(Il - atownshapedlike “ working onthesocalled seigneury of the artofpalace. The Giovanni Santi,absorbed father, thecourtpainter Raphael cesca andPaoloUccello. such asPierodellaFran tini andillustriouspainters, Francesco diGiorgioMar Luciano Lauranaand were DonatoBramante, Baldassarre Castiglione) lingua. lingua. città in forma di palazzo di forma in città Prose della volgar della Prose , workingwithhis Famous artists Cortegiano Cortegiano Giulio Ce marked the sa by 23 - - - - ” - -

Discovering the MARCHE region

ILLUSTRIOUS PERSONALITIESANDMUSEUMHOUSES poem ʻ Leopardi Recanati wasthebirthplaceof Region isalsothelandofpoetsandwriters: now calledMaiolatiSpontini. The Marche Spontini (1710-1736) wasfromJesi; from Pesaro, music. the MarcheregionandinfluencedEuropean Pergolesi the InternationalGothic. 1427), oneofthemostsignificantfigures the birthplaceof painter, wasborninFermignano.Fabrianois ures ofthe15 one ofthegreatestspiritualandmystical fig- Chiaravalle. FromtheMarcheRegion isalso Maria Montessori died inBeijing1610;theeducationalist Matteo Ricci, Swabia) (1194-1250) fromJesi; or because oftheirlegacyare:thegrandemper- famous personalitiesworthmentioning important intheworld. tionally famouspersonalities,whomadeit sport, theMarchehasgivenbirthtointerna- architecture, scientificdiscoveries,music, Literature, painting,sculpture,teaching, 1612). the nativecityof famous painterGiovanniSanti.Urbinoisalso Urbino (1483-1520),wasthesonof (Raphael), forexample,thegeniusfrom Marche Region, butleftan importantlegacy following personalities werenotborninthe Valentina Vezzali andGiovanna Trillini. The Sports personalities includeValentino Rossi, Varano Federico IIdiSvevia Bramante Gioachino Rossini Infinito of Camerino,canonizedin2010. (1774-1851) wasborninMaiolati, : thegreatmusicianswerebornin (1798-1837), born inMacerata1552and Giovan BattistaPergolesi ʼ th Gentile daFabriano (the Infinite (the century: (1444-1514), architectand Federico Barocci (1870-1952) wasfrom Rossini the poetof Raffaello Sanzio ail Battista Camilla (1792-1868) was (Frederick IIof ) . Among the . Among , Giacomo Spontini Gaspare Father (1370- (1535- , Castellani. Pavarotti, Arnaldo PomodoroandLeonardo Bellini, Sibilla Aleramo, FranzLiszt,Luciano Montesquieu, GiulioPerticari,Giovanni Crivelli, LorenzoLotto,LuigiVanvitelli, Castiglione, Casanova,CarloeVittore Stendhal, Torquato Tasso,Baldassarre Wolfgang Goethe,LeonardodaVinci, San GiuseppedaCopertino,Johann Arcangelo diCola,FedericodaMontefeltro, Damiani, GuidodʼArezzo,CeccodʼAscoli, here: SanCiriaco,Romualdo,Pier MUSEUM HOUSES the composerand hiswifeCeleste. “ Rossiniʼs housewherehe,knownasthe techniques. InPesaroitispossibletovisit Santi, wheretheartistlearntfirstpainting is nexttotheworkshopofhisfather, Giovanni Raphael wasbornisusedasamuseumand and lived.InUrbinothehousewhere sonalities oftheMarcheRegionwereborn Museum housesarewhereimportantper- maestro. “ ous citizentheMusicConservatory, withthe composer, Pesarohasdedicatedtoitsillustri- objects andmemorabiliabelongingtothe museum house,whichcontainsimportant first eightyearsofhislife.Inadditiontothis Maiolati, thatowesitsnameand fame tothe museum houseissituatedinthe centreof with 20,000volumes. The GaspareSpontini poetʼs familygavetothecity, ahugelibrary Recanati isthemostpreciousgift thatthe in thehousewhereG.Leopardiwas bornin treasures.Ondisplay taining thecomposerʼs Tempietto Rossiniano Tempietto Swan www.cultura.marche.it ” fromPesaro,wasbornandlivedthe It containstreasures belongingto ”, asmallcasketcon- 25

Discovering the MARCHE region

SKILFUL HANDS Pioraco tradition isalsopresentin Watermark Museum city hoststhe nationally famousandthe paper Fermo areas. The Fabriano around Macerataand producti leather andhandbag industries fromfootwearto today boastsanumberof Wrought iron andcopper museum displaying14 Each ofthesecitieshasa Pesaro and Ascoli Piceno. (formerly Casteldurante), places: Urbino,Urbania is producedinseveral ancient tradition. seum home ofanimportant the Cesanovalley, is the Macerata. Fratterosa,in Fermo to Appignano near cally fromMontottonenear terracotta handicraft isthemakingof 20 is al craftsworthmentioning Among theoldesttradition- crafts” not onlythere,the the MarcheRegion,and In theartisanworkshopsin th leather century masterpieces. processing isinter- . . dedicated tothis on, widespread still survivetoday. Another regional , tobefoundlo working, that Paper and Majolica ; this “old mu th to - - strument around CantianoandMer of important forthecreation for its Castelfidardo, so famous ments aremanufacturedin portant. Musicalinstru- Fermo. The Pollenza and Amandola to Ostra toCorinaldo,from ly widespreadactivity, from antique furniture over theworld. area, isveryfamousall tion Pesaro. catello sulMetauro,near to it. The exhibitions arededicated cial museumandsummer andbothaspe- sed down production, hasbeenpas local tradition, Offida anotherfamous shops Fano Jesi, Fossombroneand century-old tradition.In coppersmiths continuethis Comunanza, wheretodayʼs particular Forceand most flourishingcentres,in area of Ascoli isoneofthe the MarcheRegion. The work rustic woolcarpets , mostlyinthePesaro accordions are presentallover goldsmithsʼ work- can befound.In Furniture produc- sector isalsoim textile sector Musical in pillow lace Restoring , towhich safair- is a is - - - - solid traditioninthe Marche Regionboastsa ting Ascoli Picenoto tion, from cient forget tomentionthean nati. Lastly, weshouldnot and fromLoretotoReca area fromPesarotoCagli pipes in Montappone. played intheHatMuseum and someofthemaredis- mana, intheFermoarea Montappone toMassaFer are manufacturedfrom ckerwork no, rata, especiallyinMoglia manufacturing. InMace the saxophoneandguitar area isalsoimportantfor international museum. The the cityhasdedicatedan famous school. famous school. Urbino thereisanationally in particularthecityof ration ofancientbooks downloaded from: ebrations andmuseumscanbe hands andoldcraftswithtours,cel- The brochurededicatedtoskilful www.turismo.marche.it ae aboandwi cane, bamboo in Santʼ Ippolito. The stone working are carvedinthe is popular. travertine stonecut- Wooden resto tradi- Hats in 27 ------:

Discovering the MARCHE region

MARCHE TASTE. FOODANDWINE itage oftheregionitiswell know theoenologicalher- Tipica”) wines. To getto “Indicazione Geografica Origin) and1IGT (IGT, Guaranteed Designationof 5 nes, Designation ofOrigin)wi DOC duced insidetheregion:15 huge gamutof The MarcheRegionhasa phical Indication). (PGI, ProtectedGeo tion ofOrigin)and (DPO, ProtectedDesigna Certification Assurance andProduct guaranteed through of brandproductionsare Promotion andpreservation truffles, areskilfullyblended. gems oftheland,suchas aromas fromtheseaand cuisine wherespices,fats, culinary traditions,havea The Marche,alandrichin (RDO, Registered DOCG , suchas wines Quality (GDO, DOP gra IGP pro- - - - after dryingthegrapes. (holy wine)thatisproduced the regionand mon inthesouthernpartof reduced byboiling,com- which thegrapeʼs mustis Cotto from ruraltraditions: brandy. Two laced withanise,rumand Fanese is famousfor Piceno andMacerata.Fano in theprovinceof Ascoli produced inhugequantities is ofsupremequalityand are the Region. The bestknown produced intheMarche an amplevarietyof There isalongtraditionand hills andlocalspecialities. ne aromaswithcharming Wine Routes bars inJesiandOffida wine shopsand worth visiting anise spirits ,a ʻ (cooked wine)in caffè correttoʼ caffè wines the regional combine wi Vin Santo Moretta spirits . Anise come Vin - , ; casciotta diUrbino (pit cheese)(DOP)andthe is the milk. Typical ofthislocation milk, goatʼs milkandmixed from cowʼs andsheepʼs kinds ofcheesesaremade Italy andabroad.Several gna ham around Macerata. mostly producedinthearea able Fa famous arethe most delicatessen). The (salami andcoldporkmeat, cious andtasty inland cuisine,withdeli- Pork isthemainthemein together withlocalredwine. the mountains,fermented cherries fromthehillsand known. Itismadefromwild and sourcherries)iswell- (aromatized drinkwithwine area, In JesiandinthePesaro briano, ciauscolo formaggio difossa Vino diVisciole is famousbothin and thespread- salame di which is salumi Carpe 29 -

Discovering the MARCHE region (DOP). The Marche is ap - other provinces. Among the the tender Ascoli olive, preciated for its high quality various types of pasta, the which is unanimously con- meat. The meat of the cattle small macaroni of Cam - sidered to be the best breed (IGP) ʻmarchigianaʼ pofilone are a speciality green olive. Its natural habit and of the sheep breed are now appreciated all over is close to Ascoli Piceno. All among the best, due to their the world. They differ from over the world it is known authenticity and value. other pasta products, being not only in brine, but also There is a rich production of mixed only with chicken fried and stuffed “allʼas- all major species of truffles, eggs, 10 eggs per kilo of colana” (Ascoli-style). both white and black.The durum wheat flour. The brochure dedicated to typical most precious truffle is the The olive oil of the Marche, products, wines, itineraries and cel- white truffle (tuber magna- known since 1228, is slight- ebrations can be downloaded tum Pico). It is to be found ly fruity. The quality of the from: in SantʼAngelo in Vado and oil is inextricably linked to www.turismo.marche.it Acqualagna, but also in the olive. Very valuable is

30 cellars ofthe18 Nativity sceneinFanothe mending isthemechanised and Tolentino. Worth recom- other: Morrovalle,Macerata located relativelyneareach major Marche). There arethree Porchia (Montaltodelle raco, PotenzaPicenaand munanza, Falerone,Pio Precicchie (Fabriano),Co Frasassi gorge,thecastleof the dramaticsettingof be foundin Altidona, Genga, with themostimpressiveto numerous gious festivities. There are of eventstiedtospecificreli- carried onintactanumber Over time,theMarchehas RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS are heldinMogliano, atVilla Cantiano; other such events back to1260andheldin Good FridayPassiondating historic re-evocation “La Turba”, anevocative of Christ Acqua admired inQuintodecimodi a nativitytown”canbe in Colmurano.“Nativities Nativity sceneatSanMarco Palazzo Fabbri,andthe FESTIVITIES santa. The aiiymuseums Nativity Nativity scenes is evokedinthe th Passion century of the - - , mini Ripatransone. geli, Pioraco,Reca done, MonteSanPietra SantʼElpidio, Montepran Musone diLoreto,atPorto 9 On thenightofDecember Ortezzano andServi dellʼAso, Monterub Cupramontana, Mon Castelraimondo, Corri ral streetdecorations Loreto. House adventures of Friday), withthezany Lu BovFint phase the mostthrillingistwo- Piceno Carnival end. Along withthe gy (Pupo)isburnedatthe a bonfirewherelargeeffi- oldest, withgiantfloatsand The AND FEASTS PAGAN remember the Shrove Tuesday). Also and the val (Carnevalò) nival CARNIVAL th the Arrival oftheHoly aoCarnival Fano , the is celebratedwith Offida Carnival Vlurd parade is celebratedin noaCarni Ancona a fake steer fake a Corpus Do Fermo Car (on Good , oneof and the nati and is Italyʼs Ascoli gliano. biano, tefiore donia, : the flo- (on n in - - - - - , Quintana in Ascoli Piceno (including thefamous in theoldtowncentres historic pageantsareheld oral tradition.Numerous through centuriesoflocal down anddramatised historical eventshanded orga sociation oftheMarche The HistoricPageant As and costumedparades. Marche withhorseraces past isrevivedinthe PAGEANTS Every yearthemagicof HISTORICAL On January6 of more recentwitchesʼ feast cession and the Campocavallo diOsimo, the firstSundayof August in Covo Feast growing ofgrainarethe celebrations linkedwiththe held inUrbania. The main tional EpiphanyFeast www.rievocazionimarche.it Halloween nizes evocationsof in Amandola (FM). in Amandola Canestrelle pro- , heldyearlyon in Corinaldo. th , the Na 31 is ). - -

Discovering the MARCHE region

MARCHE TRAVEL: TOURISMUSINGALLFIVESENSES Visiting THEMARCHEREGION wide varietyofintriguinglandscapesand The prising emotions. offering visitorsunfailinglynewandsur- ough, everyhiddencorneroftheMarche and yetalsoquitesimilar, witheverybor- Marche, eachverydistinctfromtheother, be foundinthe of thesenses ial explorationthatbringsintoplay Discovering theMarcheisamulti-sensor- sense ofsight , thankstothedelights five provinces is sweptawaybya all five of the the numerouslocal operaseasonsheldin “Pergolesi Spontini” Festivalandduring “ROF, RossiniOperaFestival”and the Pergolesi andSpontini,played duringthe immortal musicofourcomposers Rossini, The factured majolicaandceramics. made pillowlaceandtraditionallymanu- including paperandparchment,hand- vast arrayoftop-qualitycraftsproducts, The towns andprestigiousseigneuries. territory whosepastisfilledwithproud with themasterpiecestotellstoryofa as wellexamplesoffolkart,combine though theworksoflesserknownartists, Lotto, justtomentionthemostfamous, Francesca, Raphael,Bellini, Titian and by artistssuchasCrivelli,Pierodella many gems,aswellawealthofworks museums andchurchespreservedlikeso oughs candiscoveralargenumberof Visitors lingeringinthetownsandbor- the Sybil,arewaitingtobediscovered. peaks, allstillechoingwiththelegendof mountains, withtheirforests,valleysand castles andtheabbeys; Apennine centuries-old villages,thesanctuaries, and theworksofman,inform file andmasterfulmixofnaturalcolours expanse ofhillswithitsunmistakablepro- a numberofdifferent coastalsettings;the sense oftouch sense ofhearing is stimulatedbythe will delightinthe 33

Visiting the MARCHE region selection of grapes in their vineyards, the intense aroma of the truffles of Acqualagna and the mountain zones, the delicate scents of the salami and other cured meats of Carpegna, Fabriano and Visso, plus the traditional local cheeses.

The sense of taste is coddled by a trea - sure trove of traditional local produce and wines. The culinary offerings of the Marche include traditional peasant fare theatres and other sites in the Region, and seafood, often reinterpreted for mo - with the best known example being the dern tastes, but without losing sight of the season at the Arena Sferisterio in genuine, natural values we treasure, as Macerata. Also to be enjoyed is the more well as the emphasis on quality. In fact, discreet sound of the verses of Leopardi, the tastes and pleasures of fine dining a beacon from the past for all the modern extend beyond special occasions, filling and contemporary poets of the Marche. the entire lifestyle of the Marche with an uncomplicated simplicity that revolves The sense of smell is stimulated by end- around a respect for tradition. less scents, each of which calls forth sen- sations of pleasure, wellbeing and joyful What the five senses take in during a living. The Marche is a land of aromas: the visit to the Marche leaves behind both a sea breeze, the odour of freshly caught physical and emotional wellbeing, with fish, the vast fields of lavender and broom a stay in the region proving the perfect of Monte Conero, the bouquets of wines way to refresh both body and soul. that tell the history of the hills and the wide

34 Visiting the MARCHE region

URBINO, AUNESCOCITY The manyMarvelsof the medievalchurch ofSan dow byLucadella Robbia, the copyoflanternwin- Church ofSanDomenico,in cent travertinedoorofthe Cathedral andthemagnifi- seen intheneo-Palladian tory ofartandculture,as old citycentrehasalonghis- the “Muta”byRaphael. The Piero dellaFrancesca,plus “Ma “The Flagellation”andthe tion ofgreatworksincludes the Marche gious NationalGalleryof the rently thesiteof Renaissance art,andcur- court”) amasterpieceof and “cortiledʼonore”(“honour with its“torricini”(“turrets”) splendid DucalPalace gio Martini,itbecamethe rana andFrancescodiGior beautified byLucianoLau palace city”.Expandedand from a“fortifiedcastleto i the medievalMontefeltrores- to FedericodaMontefeltro, World HeritageSite. Thanks city hasbeenaUNESCO architecture; since1998the heritage stillondisplayinits the ItalianRenaissance,a Urbino wasafocalpointof dence wastransformed donna ofSenigallia”by , whosecollec- presti- - - , built inthe15 Elicoidale” (HelicoidalRamp) containing the“Rampa sive semi-cylindricalbastion Borgo Mercatale,themas- soleum. Furtherdown,from which holdstheDukesʼ Mau Church ofSanBer Francesco diGiorgio Martini Albor Raphael tion the che, nottomen- Severino Mar ers fromSan Salimbeni broth- style bythe in alate-Gothic frescoed in1416 of SanGiovanni, plus theOratory by Brandani, sepe” (Nativity) the famous“Pre Giuseppe, with Oratory ofSan rocci, andinthe the siteof15 to thenearbyhills,including to theDucalPalace,butalso whose wallstheeyeisdrawn Fede altar pieceby and thegreat its Gothicspire Francesco with rico Ba noz fortress,from home of . Higherupisthe th - - - century by th nardino, century - 19 Theatre, builtatopit,inthe with the“Raffaello Sanzio” can beadmired,together the Institute also hasa to the16 gious university arly city, Urbinoʼs school ofjournalism tists andengra accomplished graphicar nowned forturningout th www.comune.urbino.ps.it century. Always aschol- ʻBook Schoolʼ th (the ISIA),plus century, andit National Art vers, anda dates back presti- , re . 37 - -

Visiting the MARCHE region

from the11 noteworthy are:theChurchofSanVito, dating the churchesrichinworksofart.Particularly 20,000 volumes,plusthenobleresidencesand Library countless otherreasonstovisit:the Theatre. Visitors withathirst for culturehave with its15 the samename; CathedralofSanFlaviano the LonelySparrow, mentionedinthe poem of left, theCloisterwithvenerable bell towerof marancio, FanelliandDamianiinside; tothe stone byGiulianodaMaianoandworks byPo Bibbiena, withahandsomefrontdoor inIstrian Castelnuovo (1139), with its splendid Pope GregoryXII; theChurchofSantaMariain 13 the ChurchofSantʼ Agostino, datingbacktothe (Lonely Sparrow)tower, partofthecloisterby the poetʼs ownhouse;the“PasseroSolitario” (Saturday intheVillage) square, justoutside examples arethe“IlSabatodelVillaggio” this charmingtownintheMarche.Obvious 1798, anddrewmuchofhisinspirationfrom poet GiacomoLeopardi,whowasbornherein Mention ofRecanatibringstomindthegreat RECANATI ANDLEOPARDI a museuminthe19 Rome 1957),inwhosehonourthecityplaced the tenor us notforgettheothercelebratednativeson: National CentreofLeopardiStudies known worldwide,thankstoitspoetandthe and Culture. Today thetownof Recanati is Clare sistersandtheWorld CentreofPoetry Tabor, withthevenerablegardenofPoor Agostino (13 Pomarancio onitswalls;theChurchofSantʼ to thedesignbyVanvitelli, withapaintingby th century; thehillof“TheInfinite”onMount , opentothepublicsince1812,withits th Beniamino Gigli century sarcophagi, includingthatof th th century andcompletedaccording C), renovatedanddesignedby th century inthePersiani (Recanati 1890- Leopardi . And let . And - the artistforMarche. Gallery ofJesiholdthefirstworkscreatedby Villa ColloredoMels,togetherwiththeCivic Art the Marche:infact,municipalmuseumof point fortracingtheworksofLorenzoLottoin Romanesque crypt.Recanatiisthestarting the regionʼs hills. illustrations, restoredcolourand dreamsto while Tullio Pericoli,withhispaintingsand interpreting thecountrysideof Marche, tive andintriguingmeansofexpression for Giacomelli madephotographythe mosteffec- was honouredwithaliterarypark. Mario late FrancoScatagliniandPaoloVolponi, who ribus andFrancescoScarabicchi,plusthe Piersanti, GiannidʼElia,EugenioDeSigno montana; inmoderntimes,Umberto Matelica andLuigiBartolinifromCupra from Camerino,LiberoBigiaretti Osvaldo LicinifromthePiceno,UgoBetti standing life,including: Adolfo deCarolisand visual andintellectualmetaphorforunder- region asbothasourceofinspirationand who, overtime,havecontinuedto“see”the place ofpoets,writers,artists,photographers Along withLeopardi,theMarcheisbirth- del torre dalla dellʼora suon il recando vento il Viene www.mariogiacomelli.it www.montefeltro-leader.it borgo. Era conforto questo suon, mi rimembra, alle mie alle rimembra, mi suon, questo conforto Era borgo. RECANATI AND LEOPARDI. THE LEOPARDI. AND RECANATI notti, quando fanciullo, nella buia stanza, per assidui per stanza, buia nella fanciullo, quando notti, MARCHE, HOME TO INTELLECTUALS TO HOME MARCHE, terrori io vigilava, sospirando il mattin. Qui non è cosa è non Qui mattin. il sospirando vigilava, io terrori chʼio vegga o senta, onde unʼimmagin dentro non torni, non dentro unʼimmagin onde senta, o vegga chʼio e un dolce rimembrar non sorga. non rimembrar dolce un e www.comune.recanati.mc.it www.giacomoleopardi.it G. Leopardi, XXII -LERICORDANZE (Paolo Volponi) - leopardi.it 39 - -

Visiting the MARCHE region

LORETO ANDTHE“SANTA CASA” of Constantinople, whocar- branch oftheimperial family Angeli Comneno princes,a fer wastheworkof 1294, assertsthatthetrans- documents writtenafter ported bythediscoveryof time. A recenttheory, sup- used intheHolyLandat territory andinsteadwidely als, unknowntotheMarche use ofconstructionmateri- architectural styleandthe Palestine inviewofboththe the originofHouseis ators. Studieshighlightthat ated asthepatronessofavi- Madonna ofLoretoisvener- Loreto. Forthisreason,the ing theirwingstookitto some wanderings,spread- care oftheHouseand,after reth, agroupofangelstook then triedtoregainNaza stians fromJerusalemand finally expelledtheChri when in1291theMuslims of Jesus. Tradition saysthat, ment ofthemiraculousbirth and receivedtheannounce- Virgin Marywasborn,lived according totradition,the House ofNazareth “Santa Casa” Basilica thatcontainsthe oped aroundthefamous The townofLoretodevel- ( the Holy ) where, - - of December9 arrived inLoretoonthenight Rijeka inCroatia),and (now adistrictofthetown for aboutthreeyearsin Trsat through Dalmatia,remaining Nazareth in1291,passed cur thattheHouseleft theories, inanyevent,con- ried thestonesbyship.Both Gothic andlaterRenais basilica began,firstwith construction ofthepresent with PopePaulII,thefirst Nicolò delle Aste andlater the bishopofRecanati, In 1469,ontheinitiativeof (1750-55) byLuigi Vanvitelli. stands theelegant belltower facade, completed in1587, Next tothewhiteIstriastone top ofthedomeʼs lantern. and gildedcopper, isonthe Mary The statueoftheVirgin built intheyears1499-1500. liano daSangalloandwas dome wastheworkofGiu ed tohim. The octagonal of theBasilica,wasdedicat- majesty nexttotheentrance gelli, thatisplacedinallits Calcagni and Tiburzio Ver statue designedby Antonio the dioceseandbronze Sixtus VappointedLoretoto sance forms.In1586,Pope , madeofembossed th -10 th , 1294. - - - a masterpieceof16 and withstatuesreliefs, the dome,facedwithmarble House ispositionedunder The shrineoftheHoly very refinedjewellery. includes valuableworksof Holy HouseTreasure collection ofpaintings. The around 1556,standoutinthe Lotto, whodiedinLoreto The laterworksbyLorenzo in thecourseofcenturies. donated totheHolyHouse from theSanctuaryand tapestries andmajolicas serves paintings,sculptures, the Apostolic Palace,pre- House ofLoreto Picture GalleryoftheHoly marancio. The Sala del Tesoro byPo ceiling andtheroofof Forlì andLucaSignorelli,the Giovanni byMelozzoda risties ofSanMarcoand Federico Zuccari,thesac- orated withfrescoesby of the Annunciation wasdec- Black Madonna before thestatueof all overtheworldtopray for pilgrimswhocomefrom tive interiorisadestination sculpture. The highlyevoca- www.santuarioloreto.it Museum and . The Chapel . The , housedin th century 41 -

Visiting the MARCHE region

BASILICA OFSANNICOLADATOLENTINO an St. Nicholasof Tolentino (1245-1305)was ies ofcentralItaly is The BasilicaofSaintNicholas Tolentino 17 da Villanova byG.Ghezzi). The great of art(S. Anna byGuercino,S. Tommaso 17 ceiling andeightchapelsdatebacktothe polygonal apse. The coffered wooden The interiorisarectangularnavewith The basilicawasconsecratedin1465. hood andchildhooddifficulties. in purgatoryandtheprotectorofmother- venerated asthepatronsaintofsouls ized inashorttime(1325).St.Nicholasis powers, thathewasveneratedandcanon- cially forhisextraordinarymiracleworking such ahighnotorietyduringhislife,espe- city, from1275untilhisdeath.Hereached the HermitFriarsofSt. Augustine inthe great preacher one ofthemostimportantsanctuar- th th Augustinian friar century. Itpreservesimportant works century chapeloftheHoly elvdi h ovn of . Helivedintheconvent . , tated armsbegan because theampu- death, butfailed after thesaintʼs theft wasmade cia). An attemptat Arms (SanteBrac Chapel oftheHoly served inthe Nicholas arepre- The armsofSt. the leftofaltar. by acupola,ison Sacrament, topped miracle worker and - 14 Giotto school,arethehighestexamplesof Giuliano andGiovanniBaronzio)ofthe painted byartistsfromRimini(Pietro, that stillpreservestwoearly16 the oratoryof Augustinian community Saintʼs cellisfound,nowconvertedinto most interestingintheMarche. Herethe The cloisterisconsideredtobe oneofthe ings andpermanentNativityexhibitions. and sculptures,preciousceramics,offer- staircase, housesnumerouspaintings of theBasilica in thecentreofChapel. with thestatueofSt.Nicholasaboveit,is cross vault. A Renaissancemarblearch, chapel floorplanisrectangularandhasa the Of particularvalueis Giovanni Carboncino. according tosome)by Genova” (orinVenice, Stom and“LaPestea Venezia” byMatteo del PalazzoDucalea offerings, “Lʼin in thechapel,ex-voto paintings arepreserved high altar. Two large by G.Foschinearthe re miraculous eventisrep- gush blood. to The of thesaintʼs life. frescoed lunettes,representing episodes sented inthepain th www.sannicoladatolentino.it Cappellone Cappellone century paintingintheMarche. The , thatcanbereachedby (Chapel) whosefrescoes cendio ting The Museum th century 43

Visiting the MARCHE region

NATIONAL PARK OF THE MONTI SIBILLINI and the Myth of the Sybil

The Monti Sibillini are a ries, almost all of medieval cowardice was responsible mountain range located origin, that envelop the for the death of Christ, was between Marche and Sibillini mountains in magic dragged into the lake by a Umbria. and mystery. 1,800 floral group of buffaloes. The - Most of the Monti Sibillini species are present in the refore the stretch of water are protected by the area, including the edel- was for centuries a desti- homonymous National weiss of the Apennines; nation for magicians and Park, established in 1993; there are 50 species of followers of the occult. At a the protected area covers mammals, among which short distance, the impres- an area of about 70,000 the wolf, the porcupine and sive Infer naccio Gorge, hectares, with a length of the wild cat, deserve to be the scene of ne cromantic about 40 km, and includes remembered. The pres- rites in the past, also 18 municipalities in the ence of the golden eagle, deserves a visit. The Park provinces of Ascoli Pice - the peregrine falcon, the is full of important architec- no, Fermo, Macerata and deer and the bear should tural buildings, admirably Pe rugia. be remembered along with set into the landscape, Legend has it that the a rare case of endemism, such as abbeys, monaster- Sybil attracted errant the Chirocefalo del Mar - ies, churches, towers, cas- knights in the cave located chesoni (Chirocepha lus tles, forts, mills and tower under the mountain that marchesonii), a unique houses. We suggest, the MARCHE region now bears the same name. small crustacean inhabi - among the others, the After going through many ting Lake Pilato. There are Church of SS. Vincenzo e ordeals and after demon- a number of peaks Anastasio of Amandola Visiting strating their skill, the exceeding 2,000 metres in and the San c tuary of the knights were accommodat- the area, including the Madonna dellʼ Ambro di ed in the cave for one year Monte Vettore (2,476 m) Monte fortino. but once that time had where the lake is located. elapsed they were doomed According to legend, the www.sibillini.net to eternal damnation. It is body of the Roman procu- just one of the many sto- rator in Pa lestine, whose

45

Widespread Charm THE HEARTS OFTHEMARCHE.ART CITIES region afterthe capitalcity, city bypopulation inthe tants, isthesecondlargest hundred thousandinhabi- Pesaro over theharbour. sque monumentthatsoars an extraordinaryRomane Cathedral ofSt.Cyriacus, ums, thatculminatesinthe rich inchurchesandmuse- boasts anoldtowncentre Ancona Dori, inthe4 founded bytheSyracusan the Marcheregion over thesea. tacle ofsunriseandsunset the world:itoffers thespec- shared byfewothercitiesin with auniquefeature, , withnearlyone is aseasidetown th Capital cityof century BC.It , itwas - annual Gioachino Rossini. The was thebirthplaceof precious museums,thecity Della Roverefamilyandits dour oftheseigneury that stillshowsthesplen- Ancona: withitsoldtown the renowned Aeneid Gal Palazzo Buonaccorsi with tance, thecivicmuseumsof Rossi and,atashortdis- Mercanti”, the Teatro Lauro there arethe“Loggiadei heart oftheoldcitywhere roads thatleaduptothe tions, iscrossedbymany by itssixteenth-centurybas- Macerata, Baldassarre Castiglione. the “IlCortegiano”by in thewonderfulpagesof of the16 elegant andrefinedsociety the privilegedplaceof form ofabuilding”became naissance. The “cityinthe Humanism andtheRe bines thecultureof Ideal City Urbino stival oftheNewCinema hosts the Rossini Foundation. The city his workisprotectedbythe stival is devotedtohimand Rossini OperaFe th is consideredthe century, descri International Fe because itcom- still surrounded bed . - - - - reached aftercrossingtypi- hill, theGirfalco,canbe colony wherethetopof Fermo Sferisterio OperaFestival the cityhousespopular Matteo Ricci(1552-1610), seum). Birth Carrozza (CarriageMu piece, andtheMuseodella lery, an18 is anancientRoman th place ofFather century master- 47 - .

Visiting the MARCHE region afflicted in Roman times, known for its Arch of Augustus, is now home to the Centro Studi Vitruviani; Urbania and the upper val- ley of the Metauro river feature many ducal monu- ments and their majolica. The environmental setting around the nearby cities of S. Angelo in Vado and Mercatello sul Metauro is very evocative. Well worth a visit are: Senigallia with its “velvet” cally medieval hoops and nesque and Gothic influ- beach, the nearby Jesi and circles. From here, you can ence, remain indelible in its castles of the Verdicchio, enjoy a spectacular view what has been called the Fabriano, famous for its that sweeps from the sea to city of the hundred towers. paper, the village of Serra S. the peaks of the Monti Quirico with its Copertelle Sibillini. Piazza del Popolo, AND ALSO ... (copper lids) and the proud the heart of the city, pre- Besides the capital cities of city of Osimo, not far from serves the historic library the province, the Marche the sea. S. Severino and the civic gallery, with the boasts a number of art cities Marche, Tolentino , Cal - Nativity by P. P. Rubens. A spread all over the region. In darola and Came rino, all few steps away stands the Gradara, the fortress and located near Macerata, are Teatro del lʼAquila, one of the the ancient village are the a cocktail of history and art. most beautiful - among the best preserved medieval Other places not to be about 70 - historical theatres structures in Italy. The city missed are Offida, Ripa- in the Marche. walls which protect the transone and the neigh- Ascoli Piceno, according to fortress, make it one of the bouring villages, all located a tradition mentioned in most impressive. The castle between Fermo and Ascoli ancient literature (Strabo, was home to Lucrezia Piceno. Pliny, Festus), was founded Borgia and Francesca di by a group of Sabines, who Rimini, the prota gonist, The brochure dedicated to art cities in were led by a woodpecker, a together with Paolo, of one the Marche can be downloaded from: bird sacred to Mars, during of the most famous love sto- one of their so-called “ver ries narrated by Dante in his www.turismo.marche.it sacrum” migrations. The Divine Comedy. impressive Roman ruins, Fano, governed by the evidence of the Roma - Malatesta family and deeply

48 Visiting the MARCHE region

Millenary Charms THE CAVES OFFRASASSI limestone andfallstothe solves smallamountsof flowing overlimestonedis- ing therock. The water to theforceofwatercarv- 190 millionyears,thanks limestone depositedover tures shapedbylayersof admire thenaturalsculp- formations, youcan complex. Withinthekarstic the CavesofFrasassi protecting andenhancing Consortium withtheaimof na setuptheFrasassi and theProvinceof Anco the municipalityGenga group of Ancona. In1972 by theCAIspeleological on 25 Frasassi werediscovered Ancona. The Cavesof Genga, intheprovinceof in themunicipalityof della RossaediFrasassi” Regional Parkof“Gola caves are undergroundkarst The CavesofFrasassi th inside theNatural September 1971, - of bacon”andthe“Slice “Niagara Falls”,the“Slice diameter of150cm),the 7,4 mhighstalactitewitha “Sword ofDamocles”(a the “Ma medary”, the”GreatBear”, the “Camel”and“Dro mites include“TheGiants”, the mostpopularstalag- them their discovery speleologists, whoafter stimulated thefantasyof such naturalworkshave Forms anddimensionsof from theroofofcaves). and ground, projectingupward) masses formedonthe into natural shapesaredivided times curiousforms. These dimensions withsome- cretions ofconsiderable deposits andshapescon- has lastedformillennia, tinuous dripping,which ground andthroughacon- stalactites with curiousnames stalagmites donnina”, the “baptised” (hanging (conic - ; a constant14°C. The temperatureinsideis ped andeasilyac m longandiswellequip sortium. The routeis1,500 by theFrasassiCon fessional guides are accompaniedby 70 minutes. The groups the cavehasadurationof layers below. The visitof and conveyittothekarst which maycollectwater lows upto25mdeep and “pozzi”,cylindricalhol- dripping waterstagnates pools ofwater Inside thecavesarealso “Witchesʼ Castle.” resonate whenstruck),the laminated concretionsthat the “OrganPipes”(cone- the middleofRoom200), high stalagmitelocatedin lard”, the“Obelisk”(a15m www.frasassi.com where the cessible. provided pro- 51 - -

Visiting the MARCHE region

and thegreat AbbeysoftheMarche Region FONTE AVELLANA S. MARIADICHIARAVALLE INFIASTRA Santa Mariadi ChiaravalleinFiastra, Urbisaglia and Tolentino, the monks ofClairvaux, and,inthetownsof Santa MariainCastagnola,founded bythe architecture: inChiaravalle,the Abbey of ples ofRomanesque-Gothic Cistercian The regionboaststwomagnificent exam- Esino, PotenzaandChientirivers. the valleysofMarecchia, Metauro, Apennine mountainsfromthesea, suchas the rivervalleysthatclimbtoward Flaminia andtheVia Salaria –andalong rily alongthemainRomanroads–Via The monasteriesandabbeysaroseprima- starting fromthetownsofNorciaandFarfa. monasteries and Franciscansstuddedtheterritorywith terised thisland.Camaldolians,Cistercians since thearrivalofChristianity, hascharac- point tothe series of The Marcheoffers touristsanextraordinary Benedictine Orderinthe8 power inRome,favouredthespreadof able distancefromthecentreofpapal tive uncertainty, together withtheconsider- sole ruler. The lengthyperiodof administra- State, untilthelatterfinallybecame fought overbytheEmperorandPapal bards oftheDuchySpoleto;lateritwas Byzantine ExarchateandbytheLongo Marche regionwasdominatedbythe After thefallofRomanEmpire, grims andwayfarers. today some ofwhich , thewaytheyusedtotakeinpil- routes andmonuments deeply feltspirituality , take inguestsandvisitors abbeys andconvents th - 9 th Abbey of centuries, which, that - , cloister. scriptorium, theparlour, thelibraryand the Places tovisit:thechurch, crypt,the books (15,000volumes)andsculptures architecture totheprecious variety ofartforms,fromtheharmonious European culturaltradition,with alarge inestimable valueforthenational and building complexconservesatreasureof 1035, afterhavingstoppedthere. The dise, PierDamianitookmonasticvowsin tioned intheXXICantoofDanteʼs Para immersed inthesolitarywoodsandmen- living. Inthisremoteplaceofmeditation, Catria foothills,thefirstformoforganised the monksof briano, foundedbyhimin1006,inspired San SalvatoreinValdicastro nearFa Marche in1027,thepowerfulabbeyof Camaldonian Orderwhodiedinthe San Romualdo,thefounderof dormitory, scriptoriumandrefectory. monastery: thechapterhouse,auditorium, series ofbuildingswhichcompletedthe adjacent cloister, setinitsturnamonga of thechurchbordersnorthside and theapseiseast-facing. The eastside entrance totheabbeychurchfaceswest ancient RomancityofUrbsSalvia. The built usingthestonestakenfrom Romanesque toGothicarchitecture.Itis The churchisamodelofthetransitionfrom church inMilan. founded bythefriarsofhomonymous Itineraries inMonasticism andinthespiritofMarche: www.turismo.marche.it Fonte Avellana, collections of in theMonte 53 - - .

Visiting the MARCHE region

DISCOVERING THEPROVINCESOFMARCHEREGION Living intheTerritory the coastofMarchefull This istheonlyhighpartof nero perchingoverthesea. promontory ofMonteCo Ancona, islocatedonthe The capitaloftheRegion, inhabitants. population of478,319 mately 1,940Km Its totalareaisapproxi- Catria andMonteStrega. and tothewestbyMonte and Musonetothesouth, north bytheRiverCesano the Adriatic coast,tothe bordered byriversalong ANCONA The Provinceof Ancona is OF PROVINCE of theMarcheRegion. excellence oftheprovinces illustrate thediversityand The followingsummaries 2 , witha - ing, passingthrough Jesi, vince isatalein themak- attractions. The entirepro is oneoftheareaʼs major Frasassi, locatedinGen Fabriano. The Cavesof productions inthedistrictof among themostfamous gins. The paperindustryis recall Graeco-Romanori- and the Arch of Trajan that Cathedral ofSanCiriaco city isfullofcharmwiththe section onthecoast. The Guasco andthemodern torical centreonMonte divided intwoparts:thehis- Balkans andGreece.Itis senger connectionstothe airport Portonovo. Ancona hasan widely todayintheBayof Downy oakthatisfound with aprevalenceofthe where deciduousforests region wasalmostevery- original vegetationofthe small sandybeaches. The of grottoes,cliffs, covesand and a port for pas- ga, - cona style). conetanaʼ (fishstew An fish andtheʻbrodettoallʼan- not tobemissedthestock- traditions oftheprovince lets. Ofthemanyculinary villages, towersandham- Numana butalsothrough sa, Senigallia,Siroloand Osimo, CastelleonediSua merano, Loreto,Corinaldo, Arcevia, Sassoferrato,Ca Urbino. of theancientDuchy cal andgeographicalregion corresponds tothehistori- prising 60municipalities, tants. The territory, com- pulation of365,788inhabi- a 2,564Km total areaofapproximately by MonteCatria.Itcoversa the southandtowest the northandCesanoto ween theRiverFogliato Province islocatedbet The PesaroandUrbino PESARO OF PROVINCE AND URBINO URBINO AND 2 and hasapo 55 - - - - -

Visiting the MARCHE region The Regional Park of mon feature of the two Sferi sterio, can be found in Sasso Simone e Simon - cities is the ceramic crafts- the city and is considered cello was set up in the manship. to be one of the most Monte Carpegna area for beautiful monuments in its flora, vegetation and PROVINCE Italy. In the province lie zoological aspects and for OF MACERATA Recanati, the birthplace of the landscape. The Furlo The province of Macerata Giacomo Leo pardi and Gorge, near Acqualagna, is stretches between River Beniamino Gigli, Cameri - located between Monte Potenza in the north and no, home to one of the old- Pietralata and Monte Paga - River Tenna in the south est universities, Tolentino, nuccio where an excellent and, to the west, the a religious and tourist cen- product grows: the truffle. Sibillini mountains. Its total tre, and San Severino, a This precious tuber is abun- area is approximately city of art. But culture has dant in the entire Apennine 2,774 Km2 , and its popula- been the protagonist of the area around Pesaro. tion counts of 324,369 Macerata territory since The splendour of nature inhabitants. The area pres- the time of Father Matteo and history is reflected in ents the typical character- Ricci who left Italy for the coasts of the so-called istics of the Apen nine land- China, thereby opening a “Riviera of the hills”. The scape: a flat coastal strip, door from Euro pe to the seaside town of Pesaro is gentle hills shaped by the Orient. an unmissable destination agricultural labor and the for tourism lovers, sur- mountain that has become PROVINCE OF FERMO rounded by two important a destination for winter The Province of Fermo lies hills that guarantee a mild sports. Moun tains, hills, on the Adriatic coast climate all year round; S. valleys, forests and culti- between the rivers Chienti Bartolo to the north and vated fields lead towards to the north and Aso to the Ardizio to the south, sepa- the Adriatic coast, where a south and to the west by rating it from Fano. A stay natural setting of a thou- the Sibillini mountain in these areas will lead to sand faces is outlined – range. Its total area is the discovery of the rela- Porto Recanati and Civita - approximately 860 Km2 tionship between the city nova Marche – that have and it has a population of and the sea, between rural given rise to plentiful fish- 177,480 inhabitants. The and urban landscape. ing, touristic and sea Pesaro is famous for bathing activities. The cap- Gioachino Ros siniʼs music ital, Macerata, stretches and the voice of Renata between the valleys of Tebaldi. Urbino is home to Potenza and Chienti set in an ancient university that a vast and harmonious attracts thousands of stu- landscape surrounded by dents from Italy and the natureʼs colours. A neo- rest of the world. A com- classical building, the

56 the majorItalian andfor- firms, designer shoesby small designer footwear there arethousandsof trated inthecapitalwhere related industryisconcen- spread. Nearlyallofthe manufacturing iswide- products andfootwear the Fermoarea;quality be foreverlostarefoundin sions thatwerethoughtto by OsvaldoLicini.Profes Crivelli andthepaintings by CarloandVittore the faceofVirgin Mary and abbeys,theimagesof vanishes amongvillages of theprovinceFermo Roman times. The charm ments backinPicenesand particularly suitedtosettle- tivable hillsmadethisarea of riversandthegentlecul- tion thrives. The presence mic andindustrialproduc- daso, agricultureisdyna Valtenna, Valdete andVal Along themainvalleys, (endemism). lar conservationinterest flora andfaunaofparticu- owing tothepresenceof National Parkwasfounded In 1993theMontiSibillini and arich,hillyhinterland. ravines, aflatcoastalstrip, 2,000 m,deepgorgesand landscape withpeaksover acteristics ofthe Apennine area hasthetypicalchar- - - - The capitalcity, evenafter sandy terraces by thesea. down tothegravel and sandstone, calanchecliffs, ena oferosionisfrequent, rocks, wherethephenom- hills aremadeofbrittle the arearefertohell. The reason manytoponymsof inaccessible andforthis Umbria. The Ascoli sideis delimiting theborderwith rise hightothesouth-west, the Sibillinimountainsthat mountains andhillsfrom Apennines totheseawith slopes downfromthe Marche region. The land ernmost provinceofthe Ascoli Picenoisthesouth- 213,586 inhabitants. and ithasapopulationof west bytheSibilliniMoun River Tronto andtothe Aso andtothesouthby coast, tothenorthbyRiver rivers alongthe Adriatic Piceno isborderedby The Provinceof Ascoli OF PROVINCE approximately 1,228Km tains. Itstotalareais dellʼAquila deservesavisit. town. TheTheatre sity castles andtodayauniver- colony, lateraSeigneuryof Fermo, anancientRoman heart oftheterritoryis eign designers.Butthe ASCOLI PICENO ASCOLI 2 - , products are try. Among thetypical ment ofthetourismindus- getation andthedevelop- growth ofrichtropicalve tima hasfavouredthe tammare andCupraMarit The mildclimateofGrot the frozenfishindustry. sequent developmentof ing activitieswiththecon- tourism, aswellinfish- the regionaleconomyin ch hasanimportantrolein Benedetto del Tronto, whi interest suchasSan resorts ofgreattouristic coastline isfullofseaside The narrowandsandy with itsfoundingfathers. Piceno) owingtoitsbond retained itsname(Ascoli the Romanconquest, side theregion. meat), alsomarketedout- ne (fried olivesstuffed with Olive Ascola Ascola Olive 57 - - - - -

Visiting the MARCHE region Marche open-air Museum GRAND TOUR. ART AND TRAVELLING Art, History and Culture pro- Paintings by Carlo Crivelli International Gothic vide the Marche region with Carlo Crivelli was commis- in the Marche a network of thematic itine- sioned painting works in the The region was among the raries made up of places, Marche, in Camerino, Fa- capitals of figurative Gothic times and absolutely unique briano, Ascoli Piceno, that in Italy and in Europe features that make the today are largely preserved between the fourteenth and region an open-air muse- in major museums around fifteenth centuries. um, where big-name artists the world. appear: Raphael, Carlo Monasticism Crivelli, Giotto, Lorenzo Lot - in the Marche: to and Francesco di Giorgio Abbeys and Monasteries Martini. Cities such as Ur - It is a journey back to the bino, rich in historical won- roots of European civiliza- ders and the Holy House of tion to rediscover the phe- Loreto, the destination of nomenon of Benedictine religious pilgrimages, are monasticism. important tourist attractions. Franciscan Itineraries in the Marche Region THEME ROUTES The tours include stops in The Architecture of historic towns and villages in Francesco di Giorgio the Marche where convents, Martini churches and museums re - Francesco di Giorgio, an lated to the Franciscan ori- engineer and designer, left Paintings by gins are found. admirable civil, religious Lorenzo Lotto and military architecture in The Lotto itinerary is divided Ancient Libraries the Marche territory. among various cities and in the Marche towns in the Marche that The libraries are located in Giotto Itineraries house masterpieces. historical buildings. They Giottoʼs figurative models contributed to the architec- entered the Marche thanks Fortresses and Castles tural, artistic and decorative to the Franciscans and the The birth of autonomous development of the city. Augustinians who became municipalities gave a start to promoters of new artistic fortified military construction The Places of the Order of achievements. with the participation of well- San Filippo Neri known architects of the time. The Marche Region provid-

58 the Marchetrulydeserves arts issowidespreadthat The disseminationoffine MARCHE THE DISCOVER Marche in: Discover theartitinerariesin illustrates tour guided The 18 in theMarche and hydraulicengineer Andrea Vici. Architect San the for ground fertile ed AND ITS MUSEUMS WITH MUSEUMS ITS AND of works the highlights and in movement Neri Filippo THE ʻMARCHE MUSEUM ʻMARCHE THE in Vici Andrea architect the relations centuries-old the CARDʼ context socio-historical the Rome. with of the Marche. Marche. the of th www.turismo.marche.it Century one in Oliveriana lana Hermitage ofFonte Avel braries, includingtheancient monumen more than museum”: the definitionof“open-air art cities, and animpressive 400 museum collections seums, artgalleriesand density inItalyofmu theatres. There isthe over 70 aries, served abbeys, Romanesque, churches ofwhich commodation, thousandsof many ofwhichprovideac torical homeswithgardens, 170 106 out of towers, numeroushis- castles, 34 (Province PU),the Palazzo Leopardiin picturesque historical archaeological si ts, morethan 239 in Pesaro,orthe 33 1,000 500 15 municipalities 90 strongholds, 183 fortresses, significant squares, well-pre- 200 highest , sanctu- 315 about 100 tes, are li - - - - 439392 freephone number800 section zionate”, in the“StruttureConven acteristics canbeconsulted agreements andtheirchar- The updatedlistofstipulated area oftourismandculture. and otherbenefitsinthe for eventsandexhibitions counts andspecialoffers Card alsoprovides hours. The MarcheMuseum striction duringopening access logical sites,providing visit museumsandarchaeo- Museum Cardallowsyouto tage City. Urbino, aUNESCOHeri Gallery oftheMarchein not tomentionthe Recanati http://musei.cultura.marche.it www.cartamusei.marche.it , orbycallingthe (Italy only). to eachwithoutre Agreed Facilities (Province MC), The Marche National dis- free 59 - - -

Visiting the MARCHE region

can beseenin ent model,fromseatotown, from landandsea. A differ- blending oftwocultures, in one”,representingthe typical exampleof“twocities the coastofMarotta,isa dolfo “ original settlement andthe high onahill,whichwasthe walls ofacastleperched lage” boroughs the distinguish amongthecoastal therefore oftenpossibleto a fireinthefifthcentury. Itis coastal inhabitantsfollowing marciano, the shorewhich was usually historical boroughof sive andcommercial. The double function,bothdefen- different ways,oftenwitha settlements arelaidoutin re theterrainallowsit, as thescenerydoes.Whe towns ontheseavariesjust scape ofthenumerouslittle amazing. The urbanland- coloured beachesare villages riseandtheochre- rolling hillsonwhichancient sea, thedeepgreenof cliffs plungingdowntothe shape andcolour. The white Marche is coastal landscape Benedetto del Tronto the From GabicceMaretoSan HILL TOWNSBETWEENNATURE ANDCULTURE Living bytheSea marina well-protected bythe , , withitsextensionon ” , theflatlandalong ever-changing founded bythe “upper vil- Monte of the Mon in - - - za Picena Numana. Recanati,Poten and southof conara Alta with “ fair distancefromthesea, are importantlittletowns,a a Mare Urbino, likethoseof province ofPesaroand zuola diFocara teldimezzo low: Other Picentes centres fol- sheer dropto thesea. perched onacliff witha tle of Nearby isthesplendidcas- beyond themainroad. “Castellum Ligabitii”), Gabicce Monte the medieval“ posite patternistypicalof purposes. This kindofcom- commercial andresidential developed atalaterdatefor the ancient“NavaleFirma nearby overlooking thesea,while nating fortifiedborough Civitanova Alta SantʼElpidio. Potenza PicenaandPorto ports: PortoRecanati, ties alongthecoastinto from simplemooringfacili- and the“ surrounding districtabove parts withtheCastleandits norum”, isdividedintotwo Cupra Marittima marine Porto SanGiorgio Torre diPalme on theotherhand and marina” north of Ancona ” whichgrew and SantʼElpidio Sirolo (the ancient castra is afasci- Fioren in the below, Cas ” of Fal and and - - - - - , , Ma the wholesystem. del Tronto werealsopartof Gualtieri mare andthe del Castello Cupra Marittima,the Torre diSantʼAndrea Tronto atPortodʼAscoli. The Guelfa and theso-called same namesouthof Ancona Portonovo, of Senigallia,the Torre diMontignano there remainthebeautiful system ofcommunication the alarm.Ofthiscomplex day andfiresatnighttoraise smoke signalsduringthe at intervalsof3kmandused century. They wereplaced Marche intheeighteenth along thecoastof 60 Turks andSaracens,about mies aspirates,corsairs, against suchterribleene- Gualtieri nated bythe its panoramicterracedomi- Benedetto delTronto Grottammare Alta villages abovethesea from Download thebrochure ontheupper www.turismo.marche.it ao Grottammare rano, watchtowers ttemouth ofthe at the . As adefence at SanBenedetto in thebayof at Grottam Torre dei Torre dei were built Torre di and , south Torre Torre San with and 61 at -

Visiting the MARCHE region

BETWEEN NATURE ANDCULTURE Living inNature. PA moncello ( Regional Parkof SassoSimoneandSi the Volpara andtheSelvagrande. The woodlands andwonderfulwaterfalls like acterized bymarlysandstonerocks, dense ( Gran SassoandMontidella Laga Sibillini meettheNationalPark ofthe not faraway. To thesouthMonti the legendaryMonteSibilla(2,173m) reach 2,476mwithMonteVettore, and tains whicharemostlyover2,000mand of theterritory, almost In theMarchemorethan90,000hectares PROTECTED AREAS areas In theMarchethereare Bianca, Sen Fiastra, Mon Frasassi tolo Simone eSimoncello,MonteSanBar 4 regionalparks( and Marche Monti Sibillini(50,000hectaresareinthe Among theNationalParks,thatof 100 protectedplantandflowerareas. reserves, 15stateforestsandmorethan are rests. plant andflowerareas Canfaito Monte SanVicino plusMonte www.gransassolagapark.it Gran SassoplusMontidellaLaga protected : 2nationalparks( and www.sibillini.net ), 6naturereserves( ), morethan www.parcosimone.it Gola dellaRossaplus tina, GoladelFurlo tagna diTor as parksandnature Monte Co 10% oftheregion ) hashighmoun- and 100 protected ), whichischar- Monti Sibillini ricchio, Ripa 12 protected nero, Sasso 15 statefo Abbadia di RKS ANDPROTECTEDAREAS, ), inthe and ), - - - , ( Rossa plusFrasassi RegionalPark G the In Mediterranean maquis. routes windingthroughthe magical me enchantingspotswithbeautiful walking San Bartolo( is quitespectacular. IntheParkofMonte seem almostalpineandtherockylandscape Conero ( Ancona, theRegionalPark of Monte create awildlandscape.Inthe province of ween GabicceMareandPesaro,thecliffs ( Nature ReserveofGoladelFurlo living “patriarchs”ofnature,whileinthe country withincrediblytallbeechtrees,real heart ofMontefeltro,hasbeautifulwalking www.riservagola www.parcogolarossa.it www.parcodelconero.eu www.parcosanbartolo.it delfurlo.it ) theriverSentino ), therockywalls ) hasso ola della ,bet ), 63 - -

Visiting the MARCHE region has carved its course creating a complex ancient stones from the Roman city of Urbs system of underground caves known as Salvia. the Grotte di Frasassi. Here you can mar- The Nature Reserve of Torricchio vel at the little lakes, carved stalactites (web.unicam.it/botanica) preserves a typical and gigantic stalagmites crowned by the landscape of the upper hills of the Marche majestic Abisso Ancona which is over 240 and was designated a Bio genetic Reserve metres high. Near Jesi, on the River by the Council of Europe. Recently reserves Esino, is the Nature Reserve of Ripa Bian - have been created including the Sentina ca (www.riservaripabianca.it) with a typi- Nature Reserve (www.riservasentina.it) in cal fluvial landscape, which is home to the San Benedetto del Tronto, north of the biggest flock of herons in the Marche. mouth of the River Tronto, an interesting In the province of Macerata, the Nature wetlands area of great importance from a Reserve of Abbadia di Fiastra (www.abba biological point of view and for birdlife. There dia-fiastra.net) preserves an agrarian land- is also the Monte San Vicino plus Monte scape which over the years has not lost its Canfaito Nature Reserve which covers typically mediaeval landmarks, including 1,500 hectares of land with protected plant historical Selva and the monumental abbey and flower areas and biotypes of geological built by Cistercian monks in 1142, taking the and landscape interest.

64 QUALITY BRANDS Dorica of detto delTronto the touristportof Porto SanGiorgio of Cesari in tioned aretheMarinadei Among the Benedetto delTronto ma San Giorgio Por canati lia Porto SantʼElpidio Sirolo dolfo (loc.Marotta) Mare region oftheMarche: Flags” A In 2011 atotalof care oftheurbanenvironment. cation foryoungpeopleand courses onenvironmentaledu- destrian areas,cyclingla in urbanareas,extensivepe initiatives suchaslimitedtraffic organisation ofenvironmental recycling ofurbanwaste,the water treatmentplants,the criteria includethepresenceof criteria havebeenmet. These area, butalsothatmanyother that theseaiscleanin “Blue Flag” , Numana , Ancona (loc.Portonovo) to) www. Grottammare , , , , Pesaro Potenza Picena(loc. were assignedtothe Numana Civitanova Marche Ancona. Fano bandierablu ors ports tourist , themarinaof , , thetouristport means notonly , Cupra Marit Fano , and Marina San Bene Porto Re , , Tiziano, and 16 Gabicce Senigal , , .org Porto “ Mon men- Blue San nes, ti ------. , , vigliana ne tecassiano street furniture. cultural entertainmentand tors, wineandfoodquality, the supportoflocalopera- commodation, cateringand of publictransport,ac the availabilityandefficiency lity, accesstoinformation, ronmental heritage,hospita- both theculturalandenvi- luation oftheprotection led strictcriteriafortheeva- with thisawardhavefulfil- and hospitality. The towns offer outstandingservices municipalities inlandwhich Club. Itisawardedtosmall ferred bytheItalian Touring and theenvironmentcon- quality awardfortourism glia Os The “ Flags” sul Metauro Gradara na, Came Marche: Ginesio tra , www. , , Orange Flag” Genga fly intheregionof Ripatransone Monterubbiano , bandierearancioni , and Acquaviva Pice Staffolo Mondavio rino , Sarnano. , , , Montelupo 17 Mercatello Corinaldo Pievebo , “ Orange Urbisa , , Mon is a San .it ------, , Treia San Ginesio resco lʼAso fabbri nominated ce in2008 Destination ofEx Corinaldo (Euro ted tothisclub: villages services. IntheMarche terms ofactivitiesandpublic quality oflifeinthetown standards withregardtothe buildings andgeneral both privateandpublic urban area,thequalityof tectural harmonyofthe ments, suchasthearchi- several structuralrequire- lages ofItaIy “ To bepartoftheclub beautiful no Matelica Gradara Esana in 2007), The mostbeautifulvil- , www. Montecosaro , and , , Mon Offagna borghitalia Montefiore del have beenadmit- , , village Visso Grottam telupone Monte “ and officially , The ” thereare . Sar , , of Italy” Cingoli, .it cassia Monte Offi cellen toglia mare nano mo , pean Mo da 18 st 65 - - - - - , , , ,

Visiting the MARCHE region

ACTIVE HOLIDAYS INTHEMARCHE enjoyably, gettingtoknowotherpeopleand enjoy naturefully andtouseyourfreetime climbing ...andendlessopportunities to tain bikingtours,beachvolley andfree more... scubadiving,horseriding ormoun- bowling togolf,potholingarchery ...and from canoeingtobowls,skating toflying, just afewkilometres that changessceneryandlandscapein the Marcheandtopracticesportin There aremanyopportunitiestoexperience , withanoffer ranging a region ing downtothe Adriatic Sea. to naments onthefinestofsandybeaches tain biking of sport. including thedisabled,canpracticeanykind opment andsolidarity, becauseeveryone, and anexcellentmeansofpersonaldevel- sport representsanopportunityforgrowth putting themselvestothetest.Inourregion competitive sportofahardypeopleusedto gold medals level tennis, theMarcheexcelsatan basketball, gymnastics,volleyballandtable- fencing, swimming, motorcycling, as such links theMarcheandsport.Insomesports improving yourfitness. A deeprelationship scuba diving sports inashortspaceoftime:from Marche tooffer awidevariety ofdifferent and mountains,allowsthecoastof beaches andtheircloseproximitytohills enjoyable andfun. The great varietyof make yourseasideholidayintheMarche there aremanydifferent possibilities to Beach volleyball,cyclingholidays,golf… ACTIVE HOLIDAYS AT THEBEACH the opportunity to dodifferent kindsof ing, trekking ing, golf,fishing,jogging,mountain bik- contact withnature, For anyonewhoenjoyswalking andclose HOLIDAYS INTHEHILLS free climbing with championsworthyof , from . This showsthededicationto This . … thehillsof Marcheoffer to on thewhitecliffs plung- horse riding beach volleyball horse riding,canoe- international or Olympic moun- tour- 67

Visiting the MARCHE region leisure activities immersed in the myriad October the smell of truffles, mulled wine colours of the cultivated fields or the green and chestnuts make you want to join the grass, beneath the blue sky with the view local mountain festivals. of the sea or in the shade of the moun- tains rising not far away. Visiting the www.turismo.marche.it Marche is an ideal opportunity to keep fit, recharge your batteries or just have fun. SKIING IN THE MARCHE In winter it is possible to go skiing thanks ACTIVE HOLIDAYS BY BICYCLE to the modern ski-lifts at Monte Catria in The hilly landscape of the Marche slopes Frontone, Monte Nerone in Piobbico, gently down to the Adriatic sea, immersed Villagrande and Eremo Carpegna in in nature with occasional small villages, Monte copiolo, Sassotetto and Maddalena castles and fortresses. Despite the slo - in Sarnano, Pintura in Bolognola, pes, one of the most enjoyable ways to Frontignano in Ussita and Monte Prata in explore the region is by bicycle. It offers Castelsan tangelo sul Nera, that give the tourist the chance to appreciate the access to slopes of different difficulties and natural beauty, the history and the art and lengths. Forca Canapine di Arquata del to try the local wine and food specialities. Tronto and Monte Piselli are located fur- Cycle tourism itineraries and bike hotels: ther south in the area of Ascoli. Lovers of www.turismo.marche.it cross-country skiing can head to Piani di Ragnolo di Acqua canina. Environments suited to more technical disciplines such www.bikesporthotels.com as ski-trekking and ski-mountaineering www.gabiccemarebike.it are found in the Monti Sibillini. www.pesarobike.it www.happybike.it www.scimarche.it www.picenobike.it

ACTIVE MOUNTAIN HOLIDAYS Province of Pesaro Urbino The mountains in the Marche offer enthu- Monte Catria at Frontone siasts of high peaks a unique experience www.montecatria.com all year round. The white mountain peaks Monte Nerone at Piobbico of the Apennines offer slopes that are ideal www. scioviemontenerone.it for winter sports. Spring encourages you to enjoy all the scents, sounds and colours Eremo Carpegna at Montecopiolo of fresh uncontaminated landscapes to be www.eremomontecarpegna.it explored during relaxing walks or in the thrill of rafting, white water canoeing or Province of Macerata free flight. The high peaks in the summer Sassotetto - Maddalena at Sarnano offer coolness and well-being, while in www.sarnanoneve.it

68 HORSEBACK RIDING Monte Pisellinear Ascoli Piceno Forca Canapinenear Arquata del Tronto Province of Ascoli Piceno Monte PratanearCastelsantangelosulNera Frontignano Piani diRagnoloat Acquacanina Pintura atBolognola countryside. the thrillofhorsebackridinginMarche views arethebackdropforexperiencing Green woodsandhillswithbeautiful passing visitors,tothelargerridingcen- schools inthemanyholidayfarmsfor activities rangingfromsmalllocalriding There aremanyopportunitiestotrythese ering theirsecretsintotalfreedom. with natureandtheanimalworld,discov- sport, butitisawayofgettingintouch www.forcacanapine.com www.ussita-frontignano.com www.lasibillina.it Horse riding is notonlya todromes closed circuitswithnaturalsurfaces( equipped facilities. sible totrythisinmanylocationswithwell- the groundagain.InMarcheitispos- you waitforthewheelstolandsafelyon is inevitabletofeelyourheartleapwhile absorbers isunique.Onsuchoccasionsit “take off” andthenlandingontheshock on aroadfullofbumpsandrises,tryingto The thrillyougetfromamotorbike,riding MOTOCROSS ANDMOTORCYCLING security regulations. cycle Federationonthebasisofspecific nova Marche, San Paolo Paolo San documents andtrophiesondisplay. stables, withequestrianmemorabilia, Civitanova Marchenexttotheracecourse HarnessRacingMuseum Historical Carriage Museum three racecourses trian traditions,shownbythepresenceof The Marcheregionisknownforitseques- accompanied byan“equestrianguide”. tres thatoffer qualitycoursesandtrekking www.pistedellemarche.com/crossdromi.html ) approvedbytheItalianMotor in Montegiorgio),thefamous Martini in Martini Motocross ( San Marone in Marone San of Macerataandthe Corridonia and is doneon Civita mo of 69 - - -

Visiting the MARCHE region

WELLNESS: THESPAS a keyrolegivingriseto of preciousminerals,plays boiling hot,witharichload crystal clear, ormuddyand few. The water, pureand Infernaccio, justtonamea raco, Fiastroneandthe Rossa andFrasassi,Pio those ofFurlo,Burano, tacular canyonssuchas pressive gorgesandspec- king theterritorywithim waterfalls andrapids,mar each other, thatgiveriseto merous rivers,parallelto valleys, iscrossedbynu with gentle,rollinghillsand coast, andinterspersed Mountains andthe Adriatic between the Apennine for relaxation,located The Marche,anidealplace The The di Palme are in the province of Fermo, and the the and Fermo, of province the in are Palme di the province of Macerata, in Tolentino, and the the and Tolentino, in Macerata, of province the Macerata Feltria ( Feltria Macerata dellʼAspio dellʼAspio htbasternm ( name their bears that ( ( ( www.termesanvittore.it www.termecarignano.it www.termediraffaello.it locality that bears their name ( name their bears that locality Acquasanta Terme are in the province of Ascoli Piceno ( Piceno Ascoli of province the in are Terme Acquasanta Terme di Monte Grimano Grimano Monte di Terme in Camerano ( Camerano in www.pitinumthermae.com www.montegrimanoterme.com ); the the ); ); seated in the province of Ancona are the the are Ancona of province the in seated ); - - - - ) and the the and ) www.termeaspio.it this reason,thespas,while physical appearance.For while takingcareoftheir fight stressanddetoxify have completecheck-ups, The spa-goerswantto tion: thatofprevention. sector forhealthprotec- proving crucialinakey role inmodernmedicine culture” activity, knownas thermal treatments. The and aestheticmedicine making hydropiniccures properties forbottlingand beneficial andhealing south providewaterswith scattered fromnorthto ry. A widerangeofspas tem widespread thermalsys- Terme Santa Lucia Lucia Santa Terme www.termedisarnano.it are in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, in the town the in Urbino, and Pesaro of province the in are throughout theterrito- , nowhasamajor Terme di Carignano Carignano di Terme ) and the the and ) ), the the ), “water Nuove Terme di Acquasanta Acquasanta di Terme Nuove Terme di Sarnano Sarnano di Terme Terme di Raffaello Raffaello di Terme ( www.termesantalucia.it ); the the ); ), the the ), Terme San Vittore Vittore San Terme www.termeacquasanta.it th becomes synonymouswi of life. and attentiontothequality into the Marcheisajourney healthy lifestyle. A tripto bringing peopletoa ghout theregionisthatof ten spas behind thesuccessof imperative wellbeing. The nance ofpsychophysical opportunity forthemainte- holiday intoaunique pools, whichcanturntheir aesthetic treatmentsand gyms, whirlpoolbaths, centres withsolariums, becoming truewellness traditional therapies,are maintaining thesupplyof Terme di Palme Palme di Terme Pitinum Thermae Thermae Pitinum feeling good, good, feeling wellbeing scattered throu in the same the in , whichhere in Petriano in in Fano in in Genga in good living ) are in are ) in Torre in Terme are in are ). in 71 - -

Visiting the MARCHE region

GETTING THEREANDAROUNDTHEMARCHE THE MARCHE.IdentificationCard scape. beauty ofthesurroundingland- himself beenchantedbythe quickly aspossiblebutalsotolet to arriveathisdestinationas the spiritofjourneyisnotjust region remindsthetravellerthat The sinuoustopographyofthe tly descendtowardsthesea. up themountainsandthengen- on thecoverofthisbrochure sult themapandrelativekey For abriefoverview, pleasecon- airport played bythe organised. A strategicroleis and roadsinan being knownthroughitsstreets that hasretainedthemagicof visitors tomovewithinaregion towns oftheterritory, allowing a railwaylineconnectthemajor the Marche. A roadnetworkand every meansisgoodtomovein Car, bus,train,plane,boat... AROUND GETTING way line work ofbusservices. The connected byanefficient net- inland towns,whichareinturn reach thetypicalvillagesand to stateandregionalhighways A14 motorway The mainroadsystemisthe regionʼs environment THE MARCHE THE and the panoramic roads is well-structuredand Raffaello Sanzio of rarebeauty. The , whichlinksup port of Ancona untouched rail- climb . . TAKING THEBUS TRAVELLING BYCAR www.startspa.it [email protected] Tel. 0736338028 Province of Ascoli Piceno www.contrammobilita.it Province ofMacerata www.atmaancona.it Tel. 0712837468 Province of Ancona www.adriabus.eu [email protected] Province ofPesaroandUrbino About thearea: provinces. and destinationswithinindividual and informationonschedules consulted byusers,withupdates devoted tobuslines,thatcanbe created awebsitespecially links. The MarcheRegionhas served bymajorroadorrail cient andreachestheareasnot system, intheMarche,iseffi- The urbanandsuburbanbus from thesea. low roughlyparallelroutesinland be reachedalongroadsthatfol- seats andthemajorcitiescan SS16 MainRoad. The provincial Motorway oralongtheparallel the A14 Bologna-Taranto toll to south,andviceversa,along In theMarche,wegofromnorth Freephone 800443040 Freephone 800089410 Freephone 800664332 www.trasporti.marche.it that arenotconnected byrail, station yards,toreach places change isalmostalwaysinthe Piceno line. The train-businter- Benedetto del Tronto-Ascoli Ascoli PicenobytheSan Pergola lineandtheareaof that ofFabrianobytheFabriano- by theCivitanova-Fabrianoline; The areaofMacerataisserved GETTING AROUNDBYTRAIN Tel. 3384920102 Fermo Tel. 073642444 Ascoli Piceno Tel. 0733240353 Macerata www.radiotaxifanopu.com Fano www.taxipesaro.it Pesaro www.taxi-ancona.it Ancona www.ctftaxi.it main references: move intheregion.Hereare practical andfastmeansto provincial capitals. Taxis canbe way stationof Ancona andinthe Falconara Marittima,attherail- all majorcentres,attheairportof Rental facilitiesareprovidedin TAXI SERVICES RENTAL CARSAND www.trasfer.eu [email protected] Province ofFermo Falconara Marittima Freephone 800630715 73

The MARCHE. Identification Card such as Urbino (from Pesaro), [email protected] Audio “Inno delle Marche” Cagli (from Fabriano), Cingoli Tourist port of Ancona (Hymn of the Marche) by (from Jesi), Fermo (from Porto Tel. 071.227581 - Fax 071.55393 Giovanni Allevi: San Giorgio), Arcevia (from www.guardiacostiera.it/ancona www.regione.marche.it/portals/0/ Senigallia) or Camerino (from [email protected]; inno.swf Castelraimondo). Tourist port of Numana Tel. and Fax 071.7360377 www.ferroviedellostato.it [email protected] ON LINE MATERIAL The online material in the pdf Province of Macerata SEA TRAVEL version is available in Italian, Tourist port of Civitanova It is possible to moor in the nine English, German and French: Marche, Tel. 0733.810395 tourist ports distributed along www.turismo.marche.it the 180 km of the Marche coast- Fax 0733.815497 line. The province of Pesaro civitanovamarche@ hosts the tourist ports of Gabicce guardiacostiera.it Mare, Pesaro and Fano; the TOURIST Province of Fermo province of Ancona the ones of INFORMATION Tourist port of Porto San Giorgio Senigallia, Ancona and Numana; OFFICES Tel. 0734.676304 the province of Macerata the one The “Tourist Information Offices” Fax 0734.676304 of Civitanova Marche; the (IAT - Uffici di Informazione e portosangiorgio@ province of Fermo the one of Accoglienza Turistica), scat- guardiacostiera.it Porto San Giorgio and the tered all over the Marche region, province of Ascoli Piceno the port Province of Ascoli Piceno provide useful information on of San Benedetto del Tronto. Tourist port Tiziano of locations, with the support of the www.turismo.marche.it San Benedetto del Tronto “Proloco” and the Local Tourist Tel. 0735.586711 Systems. Province of Pesaro and Urbino Fax 0735.5867280 Baia Marina di Vallugola of sanbenedettodeltronto@ Gabicce Mare, Tel. 0541.967918 guardiacostiera.it Province of Ancona: also 0541.958134 www.vallugola.com IAT CENTRE ANCONA [email protected] Via della Loggia, 50 60121 Ancona Tourist port of Pesaro TOURIST INFORMATION Tel. 0721.33420 (Main seat) Tel. 071.358991 www.turismo.marche.it - website Tel. 0721.400016 (Port office) Fax 071.3589912 available in Italian and English Fax 0721.21711 [email protected] Freephone (Italy only) 800 222111 www.pesaro.guardiacostiera.it IAT CENTRE FABRIANO [email protected]; LOOK AT AND LISTEN Piazza del Comune, 4 Tourist port Marina dei Cesari of TO THE MARCHE 60044 Fabriano (AN) Fano Tel. 0732.625067 Video “Marche, Land of Magic” Tel. 0721.801329 Fax 0732.629791 with the Winx in English: Fax 0721.803681 [email protected] http://www.sprintmarche.it www.guardiacostiera.it/fano Video “Infinito Marche” (the IAT CENTRE SENIGALLIA [email protected] DVD is also available in Via Manni, 7 Province of Ancona English): 60019 Senigallia (AN) Tourist port of Senigallia www.turismo.marche.it/tabid/762 Tel. 071.7922725 Tel. 071.64780 /Default.aspx Fax 071.7924930 Fax 071.7915266 [email protected]

74 62012 CivitanovaMarche (MC) Corso UmbertoI,193 CIVITANOVA MARCHE IAT CENTRE [email protected] Fax 0733.266631 Tel. 0733.234807 62100 Macerata Piazza dellaLibertà,8/9 IAT CENTREMACERATA Province ofMacerata: [email protected] Fax 0721.824292 Tel. 0721.80353 61032 Fano(PU) Via CesareBattisti,10 IAT CENTREFANO [email protected] Fax 0541.953500 Tel. 0541.954424 61011 GabicceMare(PU) Viale dellaVittoria, 41 IAT CENTREGABICCEMARE [email protected] Fax 0722.2441 Tel. 0722.2613 61029 Urbino Via Puccinotti,35 IAT CENTREURBINO [email protected] Fax 0721.30462 Tel. 0721.69341 61121 Pesaro Viale Trieste,164 IAT CENTREPESARO Province ofPesaro eUrbino: [email protected] Fax 071.970020 Tel. 071.970276 60025 Loreto(AN) Via Solari,3 IAT CENTRELORETO [email protected] Fax 0735.573211 Tel. 0735.781179 63039 S.Benedettodel Tronto (AP) Via CristoforoColombo,5 DEL TRONTO IAT CENTRES.BENEDETTO [email protected] Fax 0736.252391 Tel. 0736.253045 Piceno 63100 Ascoli 7 Piazza Arringo, IAT CENTREASCOLIPICENO Province ofAscoliPiceno: [email protected] Fax 0734.228325 Tel. 0734.228738 63023 Fermo Piazza delPopolo,6 IAT CENTREFERMO Province ofFermo: [email protected] Fax 0733.657343 Tel. 0733.657144 62028 Sarnano(MC) Largo Ricciardi,1 IAT CENTRESARNANO [email protected] Fax 0733.815027 Tel. 0733.813967 www.turismo.pesarourbino.it [email protected] [email protected] Fax 0721.33930 Tel. 0721.3592507-3592504 Viale Gramsci,461121 Pesaro STL PESAROURBINOTURISMO Sistema Turistico Locale “Local Tourist Systems”( provinces isalsoentrustedtothe of theterritoryinfive The enhancementandpromotion LOCAL TOURISTSYSTEMS STL - ): teers, whichpromote theflowof associations The “ProLoco”are PRO LOCO www.provincia.ap.it Province of Ascoli Piceno servizi-on-line/turismo www.provincia.fermo.it/ Province ofFermo www.turismo.provinciamc.it Province ofMacerata www.libertadivacanza.it Province of Ancona www.turismo.pesarourbino.it Province ofPesaroandUrbino five Provinces: tourist websitesprovidedbythe and events,pleasevisitthe For detailedinformationontours THE FIVEPROVINCES TOURIST WEBSITESOF www.provincia.ap.it [email protected] Fax 0736.277547 Tel. 0736.2771 Piceno 63100 Ascoli C.so Mazzini,39 STL PICENO www.marcafermana.com [email protected] Fax 0734.221621 Tel. 0734.511197 63023 Fermo Operational office: P.zza Dante,22 63017 PortoSanGiorgio(FM) Registered office: Via Oberdan,s.n. STL MARCAFERMANA www.marcaanconetana.it [email protected] Fax 071.6629435 Tel. 071.6629434 60019 Senigallia(AN) V.le Leopardi,6 STL MARCAANCONETANA , setupbyvolun- non-profit 75

The MARCHE. Identification Card tourism, improve the quality of account for an important seg- THE “OSPITALITÀ ITALIANA” local tourist resources and ment of the regionʼs tourist inte- SEAL enhance the environmental her- grated supply. In a B&B you can The Marche Region has started to itage, promoting and organizing be given a friendly, favourable cooperate with the Provinces and attractions for tourists, in cooper- welcome, thus bringing you clos- the Chamber of Commerce ation with public and private bo - er to the culture of the Marche. Network to enhance the quality dies. The list of local tourist Traditional dishes and breathtak- of the accommodation facilities, offices can be downloaded from ing landscapes are offered by allocating regional Italian Quality the regional website the 709 farm holiday houses Tourism Seals to attract tourism www.unplimarche.info and the 269 country houses, on both the national and foreign where sport, cultural and wine- market. The Italian Quality and-food courses are also Tourism Seal - Marche Region FRIENDLY MARCHE. organized. In the villages and on project has achieved considerable ACCOMMODATION the hills, a variety of hotels pro- success, involving a total of 142 A multi-faceted region, the vide visitors with hospitality facili- hotels, with the allocation of 113 Marche appears reticent and ties, assistance, restoration and seals and has been extended to reluctant on one side and wel- common areas. Guests are guarantee full accessibility and coming and tourist-oriented on accommodated in houses and use of facilities to tourists with dis- the other. The tourists who rooms that are located no more abilities. The seal also conveys choose to spend holidays in the than 200 metres from the “heart” information on important social region are offered a wide variety of the main building, with the issues such as environmental pro- of accommodation facilities, hotel reception, the common tection and sustainability on the which aim to satisfy the needs of areas and the restaurant. basis of the European Union even the most demanding visi- 221 rooms for rent are also Eco-label Scheme. Among other tors: hotel and camper van available for those who wish to things, the aim of the seal is to reception is most developed in extend their holiday for study promote sustainable actions, with seaside resorts, while farm holi- purposes. 34 hostels and 77 an eye to enhancing the richness day houses, country-houses, his- holiday homes are available for and variety of the territory. toric residences and hotels are teenagers and families. About 70 www.10q.it plentiful inland; in the mountains, parking areas (17 of excellence) visitors can stay in shelters and are available for the enthusiasts GUIDED TOURS B&Bs are scattered throughout of open-air vacations; 13 shel- For visitors eager to discover the the region. Whether you choose ters are available in the moun- beauty of the Marche, a multi- a hotel or an alternative accom- tains and foothills for hikers; faceted region, guided tour serv- modation, the hospitality service those who want to go back in ices are available throughout the is attentively looked after, which time can stay in historic resi- region providing experienced means attention to details, for dences, castles and mansions; guides who are fully qualified pleasant and memorable stays convents scattered all over the under Regional Law No 4/96, a for guests. The Marche boasts territory offer their hospitality to guide service in museums and 905 hotels and well-advanced those more inclined to meditation exhibition areas, support and tourist residences, provided and reflection. assistance to groups, hostessing with beauty farms and confe - For the database of the accom- at trade shows, conferences and rence rooms. 108 camp sites modation facilities present in the cultural events, advice and and resorts with entertainment Marche: assistance to tour operators and and theme nights are located www.turismo.marche.it individual guides, production of especially on the coast. standard and theme routes for Approximately 1,129 B&Bs groups, schools and individual

76 www.agap.ap.it www.picenoguide.it www.anconaguide.com [email protected] Mobile 346.0864725 Fax 071.2801161 Tel. 071.2801161 60125 Ancona Via MartiridellaResistenza,68 Ancona Tourist GuideAssociation OF THEMARCHEREGION TOUR GUIDEASSOCIATIONS cial websites. guides isavailableontheprovin- travellers. The updatedlistof www.isairon.it [email protected] Mobile 338.2629372 Viale Venezia, 87-61121 Pesaro Province ofPesaro andUrbino Isairon -Tourist Guides [email protected] Fax 0721.69559 Tel. 0721.698261 61100 Pesaro [email protected] Fax 0736.261171 Tel. 0736.261171 Piceno 63100 Ascoli Strada delleMarche,58 Confcommercio Tourist Professions Provincial Association Via E. Totti, 4 Area ofPiceno Authorized Guides, AGAP – Association of [email protected] Tel. 366.2824878 Ascoli Piceno Tour Guides, Area ofPiceno Association ofNaturalistic USEFUL TELEPHONE USEFUL www.magiaguide.com [email protected] Fax 0733.33081 Tel. 0733.33081 62010 Urbisaglia(Mc) Abbadia diFiastra,3 Association M.A.G.I.A. www.guideurbino.it [email protected] Tel. 0722.350310 61029 Urbino Urbino Ducale Guide Association [email protected] car- confesercentipu.it domenico.passeri@ Fax 0722.327777 Tel. 0722.2584 61029 Urbino 55 Via GiuseppeMazzini, Federagit Marche ing hourstobusinesses, from Pharmacies ON CALLANDHOSPITALS PHARMACIES, PHYSICIANS Centre,CCiSS:1518 Coordination Information Road Safety Financial PoliceService:117 State ForestryCorps:1515 Environmental Emergency, Fire EmergencyService:115 Service: 112 Carabinieri Emergency Police RescueService:113 ACI: 116 Road EmergencyService, Health EmergencyService:118 Marche Region:84000 Civil DefenceService, SAFETY ANDSECURITY NUMBERS have similaropen- 1111 ( il RestodelCarlino ( Corriere Adriatico provided throughouttheregion: Three main Wi-Fi availableinthe citycentre. Tel. 07222266 Corso Garibaldi,31 Sala GiochiBigBen Internet point Urbino Tel. 0736259679 Piazza Arringo Internet pointatLibreriaCattolica Ascoli Piceno Tel. 071203009 Via Carducci6/c Vip point Internet point Ancona (CAPITAL CITIES) INTERNET POINTANDWI-FI ( Il Messaggero and a Marche Region service summertime, an Sundays andpublicholidays.In which occursatnightandon uations thatareurgentand basic healthcareathomeforsit- The medicalserviceensures the samepharmacies. and holidays)canbefoundat on pharmaciesduty(nights tive closingrounds.Information extends totheeveningwithfes- 8pm. Inseasideresorts,opening 9am to1pmandfrom4pm INFORMATION site able ontheRegionʼs official web- www.ilrestodelcarlino.it www.ilmessaggero.it www.corriereadriatico.it www.salute.marche.it www.regione.marche.it web TVservice is providedtotourists. newspapers press releases on-call medical ) ) are avail- ), are . 77

The MARCHE. Identification Card Passwords must be requested AMUSEMENT PARKS Holiday Centre Verde Azzurro at the Secretariat of the AND SHOWS FOR Located in S. Faustino University of Urbino CHILDREN AND 62011 Cingoli (MC) Pesaro YOUNG PEOPLE Tel. (in summer) 0733.615262 Internet point Sala Giochi (in winter) 0733.570035 Galassia, Via Napoli 89 The Marche Region offers a Fax (in summer) 0733.615309 Internet point Telephony wide selection of entertainment (in winter) 0733.400191 Discount, Via Leopardi 7 (next to venues, with different proposals [email protected] P.le Carducci) Tel. 0721.65662 for all visitors: from water parks www.verdeazzurro.it Internet point Max 3D to childrenʼs playgrounds, from Internet & Games zoo theme parks to historical Malibù Acquapark Via Passeri 177 and natural museums. Via Scarfiotti, 47 Tel. 0721.35122 62017 Porto Recanati (MC) Grotte di Frasassi Tel. 071.9798567 Wi-Fi available at the municipal Consorzio Frasassi [email protected] library San Giovanni, Via Passeri Largo Leone XII 1 102 Tel. 0721.387770 60040 Genga (AN) Water Park Eldorado Macerata Tel. 0732.90090 – 90080 Piani di Apiro (MC) Internet point Via 4 novembre [email protected] Tel. 0733.611432 Tel. 0733.080068 www.frasassi.com www.parcoeldorado.com Internet Point Piazza Mazzini Park of the Dinosaurs Parco Zoo Falconara “Le Pietre del Drago” Wi-Fi available at the café in Via Castello di Barcaglione, 10 Located in Felceto Piazza della Libertà 60015 Falconara Marittima (AN) 62024 Matelica (MC) next to the town hall of Macerata Tel. 071.911312 [email protected] Fax 071.912463 Fermo www.lepietredeldrago.it Internet point at the library [email protected] in Via Sabbioni Tel. 0734.284310 www.parcozoofalconara.com The Children’s Art Museum Wi-Fi available in Piazza del (Museo Pinacoteca dell’arte Popolo - passwords available at Kinderland dei bambini) the town hall Located in Cotaline Via A.C. Nobili, 1 Monte Catria 63020 Smerillo (FM) ITALIAN LANGUAGE COURSES 61040 Frontone (PU) Tel. 0734.79423 A number of Italian language Tel. 0721.786107 [email protected] courses are organized all over [email protected] www.smerillo.com/bamby/ the Marche region. www.montecatria.com benvenuto.html www.turismo.marche.it www.asmontecatria.com STAGE PERFORMANCES CONGRESSES Museo del Balì FOR CHILDREN AND High-profile conference centres Located in San Martino TEENAGERS are spread throughout the 61030 Saltara (PU) Information on stage perform- region. Conferences and semi- Tel. 0721.892390 ances for children and teenagers nars are often hosted in histori- Fax 0721.896611 available at: cal theatres. [email protected] www.cultura.marche.it www.turismo.marche.it www.museodelbali.org

78 teenagers; theactivitiesarecar- the socializationofchildrenand ried outtofosterandpromote art andculturalactivitiesarecar- educational, recreational,sport, speakers andanimators,where specific spacesthatinclude Giovanile) Aggregazione Centres (Centridi The AGGREGATION YOUTH not only tainly amongthefavourite,and region, theyouthhostelsarecer- accommodation intheMarche Among theexistingformsof YOUTH HOSTELS FOR THEYOUNG THE MARCHE and 8intheprovinceofMacerata in theprovinceof Ascoli Piceno province ofPesaroandUrbino,6 the provinceof Ancona, 8inthe has atotalof34 tion facilities. The Marcheregion compared withotheraccommoda- family roomsatattractiveprices number ofhostelsalsoprovide are actuallyopentoeveryone. A referred toasyouthhostels,they Although theyarecommonly CENTRES www.turismo.marche.it Youth Aggregation by young people hostels : 10in . are . website: People intheMarche”,on found inthesection“Young tive contactinformationcanbe provinces, headoffices andrela- Marche, brokendowninto “Informagiovani” centresinthe A listoftheexisting lunteering. engage insocialactivityandvo vacation inItalyandabroadorto organize theirleisuretime, professional courses,tobetter tion supportfortheirtrainingand Young peoplecan findinforma- rious kindstoyoungpeople. five provincialgovernments”. please visitthe“websitesof provinces. Forinformation, throughout theMarche ple. The centresarespread active participationofyoungpeo- self-managed basis,withthe ried outonapublic,privateor that offer municipal orprovincialcentres called The Youth InfoCentres(theso- CENTRES YOUTH INFORMATION region astoconcertsandenter- The Marcheisadouble-sided CONCERTS -DISCOS Informagiovani www.pogas.marche.it free services ) are of va - . - region. scattered throughouttheMarche pal andprovincialinfopoints and nightlife,contactthemunici- mation onconcertschedules ing everyoneʼs wishes.Forinfor- entertainment capableofsatisfy- ingredients ofa360-degree dance cabarets. music, shows,concertsand their rangeofofferings withlive concept ofthedisco,expanding clubs haveabandonedtheold more … The newgeneration synonymous withdiscosand region. Nightentertainmentis wine andtypicalproductsofthe are combinedwithtastingsof tive clubswheremusicshows There arealsoseveralalterna- arena orconventioncentres. forming insuchplacesassports tionally renownedartists certs Many facilitieshost All provincesareextremelylively. tunities tolistengoodmusic. hinterland offers thebestoppor- June toSeptember. Inwinter, the chalets particularlyactiveform music are centres ofattractionforlive tainment. Insummer, themain in theregionwith have becomethekey Aperitif, dinnerand along thecoast major con- interna- , with per- 79

The MARCHE. Identification Card INDEX pag. pag.

DISCOVERING THE MARCHE REGION 3 Living in the Territory. Discovering the Provinces of the Marche Region 55 MARCHE Italyʼs Land of Infinite Discovery 3 Marche open-air Museum 58 Geography 5 Grand Tour. Art and Travelling The Climate Discover the Marche and its Museums Mountains and Passes with the “Marche Museum Card” The Gentle Hills The Coast Living by the Sea. Hill Towns between 61 The Magic of the Water. The Rivers and Valleys, Nature and Culture the Caves of Frasassi and the Gorges Lakes Living in Nature. Parks and protected Areas, 63 between Nature and Culture The History of a time-honoured Region 11 Protected Areas 65 Culture, the Heart of the Marche “Brand” 15 Quality Brands Active Holidays in the Marche 67 Archaeological Marche 17 Active Holidays at the Beach Holidays in the Hills Medieval Marche 19 Active Holidays by Bicycle Active Mountain Holidays Fortresses, Castles and Villas 21 Skiing in the Marche Horseback riding The Marche of the Seigneuries. Motocross and Motorcycling From International Gothic to the Renaissance 23 Wellness: the Spas 71 Illustrious Personalities and Museum Houses 25 THE MARCHE. IDENTIFICATION CARD 73 Skilful Hands 27 Getting there and getting around the Marche 73 Marche Taste. Food and Wine 29 Getting around the Marche 73 Traditions 31 Travelling by Car Religious Festivities Taking the Bus Pagan Feasts and Carnival Rental Cars and Taxi Service Historical Pageants Getting around by Train Sea Travel VISITING THE MARCHE REGION 33 Tourist Information 74 Marche Travel: Tourism using all five Senses 33 Tourist Information Offices Local Tourist Systems The many Marvels of 37 Tourist Websites of the five Provinces Urbino, a Unesco City Pro Loco Recanati and Leopardi Loreto and the “Santa Casa” Friendly Marche. Accommodation 76 Basilica of San Nicola da Tolentino The “Ospitalità Italiana” Seal National Park of the Monti Sibillini and the Myth of the Sybil The Hearts of the Marche. Art Cities Guided Tours 76 The Caves of Frasassi S. Maria di Chiaravalle in Fiastra, Useful Telephone Numbers 77 Fonte Avellana and the great Abbeys of the Marche Region Amusement Parks and Shows for Children and Young People 78

The Marche for the Young 79

Contribution to the translation: Anna Maria Barbadori With the cooperation of: Andrea Giordani Free Distribution, Edition 2012 MAROTTA MONDOLFO

URBANIA HOW TO GET THERE

MOTORWAY A 14 Bologna-Taranto Motorway www.autostrade.it ROAD NETWORK SS 3 Flaminia - Roma-Fano (PU) SS 4 Salaria - Roma-Porto d’Ascoli (AP) SS 16 Adriatica - Padova-Otranto (LE) SS 73 bis di Bocca Trabaria - San Giustino (AR)-Fano (PU) SS 76 Val d’Esino - Fossato di Vico (PG)-Falconara Alta (AN) SS 77 Val di Chienti - Foligno (PG)-Civitanova Marche (MC) ex SS 361 Septempedana - Ancona-Nocera Umbra (PG) ex SS 360 Arceviese - Senigallia (AN)-Scheggia-Pascelupo (PG) BY TRAIN Rail Network Milano-Lecce: Milano, Bologna, Ancona, Lecce Linea Roma-Ancona: Roma, Falconara M., Ancona www.trenitalia.com BY BUS Extra-urban Transport Network connects the Marche Region to other 12 Italian Regions www.turismo.marche.it AIRPORT “Raffaello Sanzio” Airport From Ancona/Falconara M. National and International Destinations www.ancona-airport.com PORT OF ANCONA Connects to: Albania, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Montenegro www.doricaportservices.it MARINAS Gabicce Mare, Pesaro, Fano, Senigallia, Ancona, Numana, Civitanova Marche, Porto S. Giorgio, VISIT MARCHE S. Benedetto del Tronto www.turismo.marche.it www.turismo.marche.it Website in Italian and English

Iphone Ipad Android Discovery Marche is promoted by Marche Region, Department for Internationalization, Culture, Tourism, Trade and Promotional Activities General Manager of Dept.: Raimondo Orsetti Coordination: Marta Paraventi Editors: Sabrina Gambini and Andrea Giordani In cooperation with Andrea Carnevali and Anna M. Barbadori the PDF file can be downloaded from: www.turismo.marche.it - www.cultura.marche.it

Graphic Layout: Consorzio Piceni Art For Job S. Benedetto del Tronto (AP) Photos: Renato Gatta - Images taken from the Photographic Archive of the Marche Region Print: Biemmegraf, Macerata

Marche Region Councillorship for Tourism Department for Internationalization, Culture, Tourism, Trade and Promotional Activities 60125 Ancona - Via Gentile da Fabriano, 9 Tel. +39 071 8062710-2426 Fax +39 071 8062318 www.turismo.marche.it Free Phone Service (Italy only) 800 222 111