Marche

The regional capital has much to offer its visitors: it is a very ancient Doric-founded city, which also preserves precious Roman finds, such as the Arch of Trajan, the amphitheatre and other remains. It thrived during the era of the Papal State, when it filled up with churches and historic buildings, and became of strategic importance as a harbour to the East. Highly recommended: the Pinacoteca Civica (Civic Art Gallery); the Passetto district, from which a long and majestic staircase will lead you to the sea; the Cathedral of Saint Cyriacus, the most important church of Ancona that towers from the Guasco Hill and can be seen from the sea even at a distance.

The Conero Riviera covers an area that reaches 16 Municipalities. It was born around the towns of Sirolo, Numana, Camerano and Ancona, but today it includes a much larger part of Marche. Everything from the beautiful beaches to the magnificent medieval villages, from the pieces of art and history to the numerous paths to cover on foot or by mountain bike will make you fall in love with this place. You can always pick a different little town from the Riviera to have a new experience.

It is one of the best preserved villages in Italy, which is why it was awarded as "The most beautiful village of Italy" in 2007. Its picturesque centre and city walls are a splendid example of a municipality that flourished during the Middle Ages. But Corinaldo has more recently become known and appreciated also for becoming the Halloween town. At this time of year, the centre is completely transformed with Halloween decorations and activities that attract tourists from all over Italy.

Marche is extremely rich in its food and wine offer: fish dishes on the coast and meat dishes in the immediate hinterland, with unique specialities, such as vincisgrassi (a sort of lasagne), Ancona's stock fish, salted codfish, ciauscolo (the typical Marche salami) and Ascoli olives. And don't forget the wine! On the hills of Jesi, not far from Senigallia, the Verdicchio grapes are grown, one of the most appreciated Italian wines, and around the Camerano area there are the vineyards of the Rosso Conero, a typical red wine... shortly put, there's something for everyone!

Those who come here should seize the opportunity and visit the Frasassi Caves: a unique place, accidentally discovered by a group of speleologists back in the ‘70s. Today thousands of tourists visit the rooms of these karstic caves that are full of stalactites and stalagmites. They've become widely popular among celebrities as well, who chose them for their photo shoots and video clips.

Out of all the hills of Macerata, the world-famous village of Recanati stands out. It gave birth to two celebrated geniuses of the Italian culture: the famous opera singer and actor Beniamino Gigli, and Italy's greatest XIX century poet, Giacomo Leopardi. Casa Leopardi, the family mansion where Giacomo spent most of his life, and the National Centre for Leopardi Studies (CNSL), where the poet's writings and studies are collected, are certainly worth visiting. Recanati features countless works by the renowned painter Lorenzo Lotto, one of the leading figures of the Venetian Renaissance of the early XVI century who joined the already famous painter Bramante in Marche, his native region. Furthermore, you can visit the World Centre of Poetry and Culture, which hosts important literary events every year.