It is about this, about the central part of Italy, about the province of Marche, that I would like to tell the world today... The beauty of this province is that the attractions are scattered throughout its territory, and not concentrated in a few big cities. And in almost every, even the smallest locality, you can come across such cultural value that will take your breath away...

I invite you to go with me to a place where there are not many tourists, but there are more than enough historical and cultural values...Where people have not lost their friendliness. To a place where culinary traditions are still preserved. Where prices are still affordable. And a hotel room or rented apartments can take you on vacation without exceeding the cost beyond what is reasonable...

And where, you ask, is this paradise?

I invite you to the province of Marche. And first, I suggest you look at the map... See? Let’s try the “by contradiction” method, i.e. from the "opposite". The Marche border strip on its northern side is only 40 km away. from the popular “Russian” resort of Rimini. Arriving in Rimini, you will receive maximum care for yourself practically from the plane - starting with restaurants, sun loungers and umbrellas on the beach... you will instantly be asked to part with your hard-earned money... Unpretentious beach hotels according to the “bed-to-bed” principle, “shop tours” or “gastronomic” according to your taste and wallet size, excursions to distant lands and to distant lands at fabulous prices, of course., because Rome, Venice and Florence are located in Rimini 3-4 hour availability. And most importantly! Everywhere they are waiting for you and everywhere they speak Russian warmly... Even in the state of San Marino (where you will certainly be asked to go from Rimini), store sellers of a tiny but self-sufficient state will offer you bags, wines and brands in the language native to our hearts... That's where I'll I don't invite you. You can go there on your own and without any fear of getting lost, but for fear of losing “everything that has been acquired through back-breaking labor.”

We continue to study the map... Such a green part of Italy... in the middle part... Exactly! Located between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea. Here... In the north it borders with Emilia Romagna (the famous Rimini is also here, about which I have already given a little information), with the Republic of San Marino (also already mentioned), we look to the east - Tuscany and Umbria. We look further south - from Lazio and Abruzzi...

One of Marche's advantages lies in its proximity. The region has absorbed all the best from its numerous neighbors without losing its traditions. The successful neighborhood has affected literally all areas: culture, art, employment, and, of course, cuisine... Exactly! Diversity- distinguishes the Marche region from other provinces of Italy.

Second advantage - sea! You can object to me, especially if you splashed around in the coastal waters of Rimini, they say, the Adriatic Sea is shallow, not picturesque, not interesting... That’s right, off the coast of Rimini and a little to the south, it looks exactly like that. This is the region of Emilia-Romagna. However! The beaches near Ancona (the capital of Marche) are impressive with their beauty and are included in the top 10 the most beautiful beaches Italy... The mountainous terrain gave the province the freshest air and mountain rivers: Metauro, Cesano, Tronto, Potenza, Esino. Are you looking at the map? Or am I the only one admiring these natural gifts of the province? All these rivers flow into the Adriatic Sea. "So what?" - you ask.

And the fact that thanks to desalination sea ​​water mountain rivers, in such water the inhabitants of the bottom feel excellent... And here are numerous fishing ports, bazaars, shops and fish restaurants. And it is no coincidence that Brodetto, a soup made from freshly caught fish and seafood, is considered a traditional Marche dish. Whatever was caught in the morning ended up in the soup. But even Brodetto is prepared in its own way in each city. This soup cannot be called a soup in the usual sense... It is a “huge seafood platter” with a little broth and croutons for dipping. Why am I describing this? Here's a photo.

Does it look like soup? And, of course, you should eat soup where the fish are caught, therefore, on the coast. For example, look at the map from north to south: Pesaro, Fano, Civitanova, San Benedetto del Tronto. All these cities have a fishing port, which means there is plenty of fish to cook a delicious Brodetto!

So, the Adriatic Sea on one side and the mountains on the other. Such geographical limitation and inaccessibility have forced the region to develop independently since ancient times. So Marche grew into a powerful and self-sufficient... The forest provided paper and furniture! Forest... “And in the forest there are flowers, berries, mushrooms,” as the children’s cartoon song says. This is true. Famous Tartuffo mushrooms! Mmm... About food again?!

You see, they’ve already forgotten about the sea... That’s right, why lie on the beach when the best fashionable shoes are produced in Marche... Let’s jump into the car and go to the factories! To the city of Macerata or Ascoli - Pecheno. What about clothes? Personally, I like Italian brands without a big name. You can do without factories, and just stroll through the shops of the cities of Fano and Pesaro, and here you will find something to please yourself with...

Of course, I would really not like you to have the impression of me as a person with eternally hungry eyes. But I can’t help but write that the region is rich in its own olive oil, its own excellent wine, and cheese for every taste. The Pecorino cheese made from sheep's milk, which I adore, is also produced here. And if it’s still from the pit... After all, they make delicious ravioli with cheese from the pit in Marche. They resemble our dumplings with cottage cheese, but again, as in the case of fish soup, they have nothing in common with our dumplings.

My God! I’ve already written so much, but not a single word about the sights. Incredible! When I was getting ready to write an article, I was thinking about what to write there, quickly about this and that. But it turns out that it’s no longer an article at all... It looks like Marche is laying claim to a whole book...

Well... Let's talk about the sights then. Back to geography again. The name of the province itself, Marche, translated in Old German means “mark” or “border”. In the 11th century, the Marche territory became the border of the Holy Roman Empire. And so it stuck: the border of the Roman Empire is Marche.

If we turn to historical facts, the Marche region has been inhabited since Neolithic times. There is evidence that Balkan and Greek tribes lived in this territory back in the 2-3 millennium BC. They lived and did not grieve until the Romans became interested in the strategic lands of the region. Ancona (the capital of Marche) was already the most important trading port! Ancona! Isn't this city worth visiting?! Don’t you want to be in the square where trade relations were built and history was made even before our era? But many people go to Ancona just to plunge into the beautiful sea... Oh, although... To be honest, I really want to go to the beautiful sea too!

Once upon a time, I read in one of the sources that pirates often hunted in these parts and the population was forced to flee from them to the mountains, so here’s migration... This story with pirates brought back memories of sea adventures on the pages of the book “The Odyssey of Captain Blood » Rafael Sabatini. And imagine my surprise that the writer Sabatini was a native of these places. It’s clear how not to write about the sea while being near the sea... in the thick of things, so to speak...

It should be noted that the province of Marche gave Italy and the world famous composers, opera singers, architects and artists, writers, mathematicians and teachers. And even one famous motorcycle racer - Valentino Rossi. I will not make a list of the names of all these figures, because each of them is part of the history of his city... Which means it would be more correct to talk about each of them according to his place of birth. Unfortunately, this article will no longer contain the stories of all famous natives. Somehow we dived so smoothly into the area of ​​culture and art... It was the pirates who knocked us off course, but we were talking about the “desired” territory.

In a word, someone always laid claim to a well-located region... There was a period when it was captured by the French... And only in 1869 the Marche region found peace when the Italian state finally united.

Well, that’s probably all that can be said by looking at the map... In a word, they said “Hello, Marche!”

But for starters, so to speak, I want, due to my writing abilities, to lift the curtain on natural beauty provinces.

Traveling by car is extremely pleasant because the road winds between
picturesque green hills, you can always stop and enjoy the views... And along the way, stop by a winery or small farm where olive oil is pressed. Or maybe...for wine or cheese from the pit...

The historical heritage of the Marche fits very harmoniously into the hilly landscape: from small villages on the peaks to castles and palaces. Delightful and lonely standing churches, cathedrals, ancient villas of the local nobility, as a rule, these views have already been captured on the canvases of famous artists and may well become your successful photograph.

If you choose to travel along Adriatic Sea, then you will find a flat sandy coast, periodically separated by low hills, and in some places by steep cliffs. So there is a choice beach holiday depends only on your desire and mood... Today it can be kilometers of sand and a wide, busy beach, and tomorrow it can be a secluded cove or a rock, which for the moment will belong only to you and the open Adriatic Sea.

Nature... Or maybe you want to go to snow-capped peaks, mountain rivers and waterfalls? Then it’s towards Umbria, towards the Apennines. There you will find thermal springs, both drinking and swimming... And all this - Marche!

Don't want to go to the mountains and forest? Do you want city parties and narrow European streets? Everything is for you!

Each of the Marche towns resembles the scenery for a medieval play: tiled roofs are gray or orange, paved promenades, large and small squares, summer season where, as a rule, in the evenings, some kind of action certainly takes place. They sing, dance, recite poems, sell local products or relax in cafes... And all these miracles are concentrated on an area of ​​9.7 thousand square kilometers (3.2% of the entire territory of Italy). A small area with incredible diversity within its territory... Well, that's it! I hope this information is enough for you to say to yourself: “I want to go to March!” I hope that you will not regret your choice for a minute... I, in turn, promise that I will write more articles about each of the towns and their amazing stories...

Marche is an amazing region of Italy, although not the first on the list of tourists’ preferences, but definitely deserves to be at the top. Beautiful place with its own characteristics and attractions, where you can relax quietly without being distracted by large crowds of travelers. The beaches, climate and infrastructure are in no way inferior to more popular resorts.

General information about the Marche region (Italy)

The Marche region is located in the center of the Adriatic coast of Italy, it is washed from the east by the Adriatic Sea. The mild, warm climate characteristic of this country is also observed here. The area of ​​Marche is 9,366 square kilometers.

Marche (Italy)

Provinces

The region consists of five provinces:

• Ancona,
• Ascoli Piceno,
• Macerata,
• Pesaro and Urbino,
• Fermo.

Neighboring regions are:

• Emilia-Romagna (in the north),
• Tuscany (in the northwest),
• Umbria (in the west),
• Abruzzo (in the south).

Additional Information! The administrative center is the port city of Ancona, which often becomes the starting point for tourists.

How to come to Ancona

You can get there in almost any way: by plane, by ship or by train. As a last resort, you can use the bus - the cheapest, although not very comfortable option. Unfortunately, there are practically no direct flights to Ancona: most likely, you will have to fly with transfers, stopping in cities: most likely in Rome or Munich. But finding transport from these cities to the Marche will not be difficult.

Economy of Marche

The region is primarily famous for its light industry, for example, the production of very good shoes; Marche is also one of the main centers of shipbuilding. The tourism infrastructure is certainly sufficiently developed to accommodate tourists and travelers from all over the world: a large number of well-groomed beaches, many attractions, various hotels and other places to relax, shopping tours and, of course, unsurpassed Italian flavor in everything.

Port city of Ancona

Sights of the region

There are countless architectural attractions in Marche. In the capital of Ancona, the following ancient buildings stand out:

• A partially destroyed Roman amphitheater, which could present interesting spectacles to 10 thousand spectators at once. For some time it served as a defensive point, after which it began to be dismantled for building materials. Fortunately, part of this building has survived to this day.
• The Ancona Cathedral, dedicated to Judas Cyriaco, is the main church of the city and at the same time an important religious monument. Built in the 10th century, it was expanded over three more centuries.
• Ancona Citadel - Built in the 16th century on the Astagno hill, the citadel is an old historical defensive structure.

Interesting! The Palace of Elders is an interesting building in which the Council of City Fathers met. It is worth noting that during World War II the building suffered extreme damage.

This is only a small part of the capital's attractions. But other cities of the Marche can also boast interesting places:

• The Frasassi Caves, discovered in 1948, are approximately 30 kilometers long. Anyone can look at the beautiful stalagmites and stalactites of this long network of caves - the excursion for tourists runs from 10 to 17 hours every day, the length of the route is one and a half kilometers.
• The Castle of the Dukes of Urbino is a small castle built in the city of Urbino by Florentine architects, which, at the behest of Duke Federigo da Montefeltro, was turned into a real palace. Although the fortress was not completed before the Duke’s death, it became a popular cultural attraction in its unfinished form. Nowadays the Dukes' Castle is used as National Gallery Marche.
• The Monte Conero Natural Park is located on the Adriatic coast, while it lies on the slopes of the mountain of the same name. Those who decide to take a walk here can see many species of wild plants, as well as animals and birds. Moreover, there are a number of extremely interesting places located here. For example, beautiful churches and unique systems of grottoes and caves.

On a note! One of the main tourist cities Marche - Ascoli Piceno.

The extraordinarily beautiful city, much of which is built of travertine, boasts well-kept streets, an interesting architectural style and many attractions. Also worth paying attention to are the cities of Fano and Pesaro. At the same time, it is not necessary to have a lot of money - first of all, vacationers can enjoy walking around the cities, etc.

Castle of the Dukes of Urbino

Excursions

On the Internet you can easily find a Russian guide who will tell you in detail about the places of interest to tourists. The cheapest group excursions cost 40...50 euros* per hour.

Urbino is very popular among lovers of excursions - medieval city, in which such iconic historical monuments as the Dukes' Castle were built, Cathedral Urbino, Santa Chiara monastery. It is precisely because of the richness of historical monuments that excursions are so popular here.

Important information! Payment is not always hourly! All details must be discussed with the guides in advance.

How to relax in Marche

Despite the large number of attractions, in this region you can not only drive around the cities, looking at the streets and nature. The beach is also well developed here. resort holiday and shopping, many restaurants, lovers active rest have the opportunity to visit local discos. There are both fairly cheap (very decent) hotels and five-star all-inclusive ones.

Large selection of beaches for family vacation will not leave indifferent those who like to swim or just want to lie in the sun. Given the mild, warm climate and beautiful pictures of nature, the Marche coast is in no way inferior to the beaches of other regions of Italy. The most famous of them are: Spiaggia di Velluto, Riviera del Conero, Porto Sant'Elpidio beach and others.

Important information! You need to pay in hotels and when shopping in the country’s currency – the euro.

Coast of Spiaggia di Velluto

Useful information for tourists

The climate in Italy is quite temperate. There is usually no point in taking warm clothes with you, especially in summer. You definitely need sunscreen, otherwise you can spoil your appearance in just a few hours.

Marche is far from the most popular region among tourists, but at the same time you can enjoy this place in the same way as in the most popular resorts. The map of the region is replete with interesting places: this is an excellent option for those who like to explore cities, look at their architectural wonders and want to lie on the spacious and clean beaches.

* Prices are current as of September 2018.

Many seaside resorts where you can have a great vacation for a week or two al mare, located on 180 kilometers of the Adriatic coast in the Marche region.
All resorts in Marche can be divided into two main types. The first includes large noisy centers with vibrant nightlife, many foreign tourists and embankments, densely built up with hotels. Examples of this type of resort are (from north to south) Gabicce Mare, Pesaro, Senigallia And San Benedetto del Tronto.
Another type is represented by many small resort towns picturesque beaches, where villas and apartments are preferred to hotels. Often such places are filled with Italian families in the summer, many of whom live in the Marche region and come to the sea every year. At the same time, adults love to sigh in public about the fact that they have to come here for the sake of bambini, but in their hearts they all love these places. In addition, thanks to technological progress - laptops, iPads and smartphones - everyone can feel like they are in the office on vacation.
A couple of places nestled under a rocky peninsula Monte Conero, do not fall into any category. There are rocky coves and white limestone cliffs like no other on the Adriatic coast from Trieste in the north to the heel of the Italian boot at Gargano in the south.

When to go. The best time to visit the resorts of the Marche region

Features of the choice of beaches in the resorts of the Marche region

Although all resorts have one or two free public beaches ( spiaggia libera), they are often located far away and very rarely are they as clean as the toll sections of the coast. In any case, if you want to experience a truly Italian beach, be sure to go to the paid one, where there are rows of sun loungers under beach umbrellas. Usually entrance to the beach is not too expensive ( from 2 to 4 euros), but it has all the amenities you could ever want and is the best place to see Italian life up close. If you are staying in one of the local hotels, then, as a rule, you can use the beach that belongs to him, closed from outsiders, for free.
The Marche region boasts the largest number of Blue Flag beaches in Italy. The prestigious Blue Flag certificate from the Foundation for Environmental Education is awarded only to the most environmentally friendly beaches in Europe. The certificate implies that the beach meets strict criteria, including water quality, environmental control, safety and some other services.

Gabicce Mare

This colorful and lively city on the border of the Marche and Emilia Romagna regions is the northern extension of the Riviera Rimini. Therefore, it is not surprising that this resort, uniting more than 100 hotels, has become one of the most popular places holidays in Marche. Despite this, sandy beaches and the vibrant nightlife on the coast and in the town of Gabicce Monte higher in the mountains continues to be attractive.
From here it's a stone's throw to the impressive Gradara Castle and, if you're really interested in exotic postage stamps and cheap alcohol, to the tiny republic San Marino.
To the south, towards the city of Pesaro, from Gabicce leads strada panoramic. Driving along the road winding over the coast, you can fully enjoy breathtaking sea views, many charming coves and inexpensive fish restaurants; one of the most romantic places - a tiny port in a village Baia Vallugola.

Hotels in Gabicci Mare: compare prices on different sites - save up to 50%

Pesaro

Pesaro, capital of the province of Pesaro e Urbino in the Marche region, is not only a charming city, but also an attractive one seaside resort, successful fishing port and an important industrial center. The elegant, wide streets are picturesque enough for an exciting stroll, and dinner at fish restaurant by the seashore after a day spent on a relatively empty beach, it is difficult to compare its attractiveness with anything else. Like most Italian beaches, the city's three kilometers of coastline are lined with dense rows of umbrellas and sun loungers that are rarely occupied. To be alone by the sea, go to the area Baia Flaminia, which lies north of the city center. Here, in addition to equipped beaches, for which you have to pay to enter, there are also areas for free recreation. Also, free and not crowded beaches lie to the south of the city, if you take the SS16 highway in the direction of Fano.

Choose a hotel in Pesaro

Fano

Name of the Roman colony Fanum Fortunae associated with the large temple of the goddess Fortuna located in it. Fortune patronizes the city to this day, but in the person of one of the four Christian patron saints, San Fortunato.
During Roman times, this place, where the important Via Flaminia road from Rome adjoined the main coastal route, was a major port. Today it is a small seaside resort with a busy fishing port and a charming old town centre.
The entrance to the city lies through a magnificent triumphal arch Roman era Arco di Augusto. It was built in the 2nd century AD by order of the Roman Emperor Augustus as part of his ambitious project to improve the empire's road network, and marks the point where the Via Flaminia reached the shores of the Adriatic; The bas-relief of the wall of the 16th-century church on the right shows the arch in its original form.
From here the main street Via Arco di Augusto leads to the historical center of the city (if you continue along it to the end, then, after crossing railways, the road will lead to the beach Sassonia).
At the main intersection in the city center, turn right onto Corso Matteotti which will take you to the central square Piazza XX Settembre, which is decorated with a fancy 16th-century fountain topped with a sculpture of the goddess Fortune. Among the beautiful buildings approaching the square, the palace stands out Palazzo Malatesta with a large courtyard and spacious loggia, known as Corte Malatestiana. The palace houses the city museum Museo Civico And Pinacoteca Museum, which presents a disparate collection of Renaissance images and paintings by Guercino, Guido Reni and Michele Giambono.
Church Santa Maria Nuovo standing next to the central city square on the street Via de Pili, houses two precious works by Perugino, “Madonna and Saints” and “Good News” - it is likely that young Raphael helped the master in creating the first of the paintings.
The city has a particularly elegant passeggiata– a pedestrian zone running along the main streets, along which townspeople stroll along rows of shops, alluring with the lights of their shop windows.
The railway clearly separates Old city from a modern resort that has grown up along two strips of beautiful beach. To the south of the city extends Spiaggia Sassonia, wide pebble beach with a spacious walking area. In the northwest there is a shorter but more popular beach Spiaggia Lido, covered with sand and lined with rows of beach umbrellas.
Between the beaches there is a small bay where fishermen gather, from whom you can buy some of the fresh catch - vongole, small edible shellfish, are especially good here.
To the north and south of Fano there are quite pleasant free public beaches, many of which are relatively deserted.

Choose a hotel in Fano

Senigallia

Since 1853, the 13 kilometers of golden sandy beaches of Senigallia, the famous "Velvet Beach", are considered one of the most popular seaside resorts on the Adriatic coast. Thanks to the quality of service and clean water, the city received the prestigious certificate " Blue flag", issued by the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe. But the sea is not all that is worth going to Senigallia for. Main city resort with a breathtaking historical center, can serve as an ideal base for exploring ancient cities Marche region. The name of the city refers to the very first inhabitants of these places - the Galli Senoni, a Celtic tribe that settled here around the 4th century BC. In the 15th century, the city was famous for the Maddalena fair that took place here. To this day, the historical center of the city retains a certain merchant austerity, especially clearly expressed in the tall buildings standing along the city canal. Walking along the alleys of the central part, pay attention to the architecture of squat, thick-walled houses, which developed many centuries ago as a result of the threat of earthquakes. Most beautiful historical monument city ​​- old fortress, Rocca Roveresca, built in 1480. In summer, the sound of classical music concerts can be heard in its courtyard. Another source of pride for Senigallia is lots of great restaurants, where you can truly taste the best Adriatic cuisine. The city is home to two of the most famous restaurants in Italy: La Madonnina Del Pescatore And Uliassi, regularly included in the top ten best establishments according to eminent restaurant critics from around the world.

Choose a hotel in Senigallia

Portonovo

South of Ancona rises the lonely limestone peak of Monte Conero, whose slopes fall steeply to the most beautiful sea ​​beaches on the entire northern coast of the Adriatic. The beauty of these places is responsible for the fact that in July and August three local resorts have only standing places available; You should come here in May, early September or, best of all, in June.
If you're coming from Ancona, your first stop on your route should be Portonovo, a tiny village on the Conero River. Making your way along a dead-end road to this cluster of hotels, restaurants, campsites and summer beach houses nestled on a narrow coastal strip, you can fully enjoy postcard views of the sea. The resort coast is divided into two parts by the squat fortress Fortino Napoleonico, built in 1808 by the Viceroy of Italy Eugene Beauharnais to protect against attacks by the English fleet. Today the fortress is located Hotel Fortino Napoleonico.
At the end of the road, where evergreen oaks cling to the mountainside and descend to the sea, stands the ancient Romanesque church of Santa Maria. Built between 1034 and 1048, the building has a shape unique to Italy, more typical of the churches of Normandy.
Let's go back to main road, skirting the foot of the mountain, from where breathtaking landscapes open up. About 8 km south of the Portonovo junction, follow the signs for Monte Conero to visit the 12th-century Badia di San Pietro , once a Benedictine monastery, and today - Hotel Monteconero. It is located in the very high point mountains that can be reached by car, and the panorama from here is worth your time.
The entire area adjacent to the mountain was declared a regional nature park in 1987, in which a whole network of marked paths was later laid - the map can be purchased at Consorzio del Parco del Conero in the town of Sirolo. At the top of the mountain (572 m) traces of a Paleolithic site about 100,000 years old were discovered - the oldest evidence of human presence in the region.

Sirolo and Numana

At the southernmost point of Conero are the two main resorts of the Riviera. The most interesting of these is Sirolo, with an amazing medieval center and a tree-lined square hanging high above the sea. On best beaches can be reached by bus, departing every half hour and stopping at each bay. Campsites and coastal hotels in the lower historical part of the city smoothly flow into the Numana resort. In the southern part of the resort there is a long pleasant beach, and in the town archaeological museum you can get acquainted with the history of the tribes that lived on the territory of Piceni long before its conquest by Rome ( Via La Fenice, 4).
You can escape the beach crowds in one of the many tiny sheltered bays, which can only be reached by boat: during the season there are regular flights from Numana, Sirolo and Portonovo.
In addition, Sirolo boasts the best golf courses in the region, owned by the golf club Conero Golf Club.

• CHOOSE AND BOOK A HOTEL IN SIROLO OR NUMANA

Porto Recanti

When traveling in the Loreto or Recanti area, you will probably want to spend a day or two on the beach.
Porto Recanti is a small, modern resort that gives a feeling of freedom with the breadth of its streets and magnificent views of the peak of Monte Conero in the north. Despite the fact that the sand and pebble beach here is quite narrow, it is rarely crowded. It is best to relax in the northern part of the beach.

Civitanova Marche

This charming seaside resort is both a picturesque fishing port and a center for the shoe industry. At the same time, its long and wide pebble beach looks more stylish than any of the neighboring resorts, considering that there is no shortage of hotels here at all.
The most interesting part of the promenade and beach is located in the quiet southern part of the city, decorated with lush vegetation. In a city centered around a wide square Piazza XX Settembre, there are plenty of shops with stylish storefronts and green public gardens.
On a hilltop about 4 kilometers from the coast stands a medieval fortified town Civitanova Marche Alta, which is still protected by partially preserved fortress walls. This is a must-visit - among the beautiful ancient palaces and churches there is an amazing collection of modern Italian visual arts, presented in the art gallery Galleria d'Arte Moderna.
One of the oldest and most charming churches in Marche, Santa Maria a Pie di Chienti, is located 6 kilometers away along the SS 485 highway inland. The beautifully preserved Romanesque building was built in the 9th century. The church is divided into two floors, the upper of which opens onto a central nave. The 14th-century frescoes in the apse above the altar, in stark contrast to the plain brickwork of the rest of the walls, make a lasting impression.

Choose a hotel in Civitanova Marche

Porto Potenza Picena

To the north of Civitanova Marche lies Porto Potenza Picena - another variation on the theme of the small resorts of the south of the Marche. A great place to relax for the day on the sandy beach if you find yourself nearby. A few kilometers from the coast, in a place Giardino Bonaccorsi lies one of the few remaining 18th-century gardens in Italy with a beautiful red brick villa. The villa itself is closed to the public, but it’s still worth visiting if you’re in the area to admire the local beauty.

Porto San Giorgio

The streets of the resort, sandwiched between the SS16 highway and the sea, are decorated with many beautiful shops, and in the summer season the atmosphere is enlivened by frequent music concerts. Much of the beauty of the city is due to several buildings in the "Liberty" style, which was common in the best Italian resorts in late XIX century. From the towers of the city fortress of the 13th century, standing near the central square, built by Lorenzo Tiepolo, the future Doge of Venice, good view to the city. But the main attractions of the city remain fish and beautiful beaches. The city has many inexpensive restaurants serving a variety of brodetto, a traditional fish dish of the Marche region.

Pedazo

South of Porto San Giorgio is the “mussel beach” of Marche - Pedaso, where delicious shellfish are grown on concrete pillars lying in the water just behind the short pebble city beach. In addition to excellent places for snorkeling, the town is conveniently located relative to the main routes of the region. In summer it takes place Sagradelle Cozze or mussel festival.

Porto Sant'Elpidio

North of Porto San Giorgio lies the narrow strip of Porto Sant'Elpidio beach, the heart of Marche's shoe industry. The main attraction of the resort is pine forests in the north and many huge shoe stores on the main road SS16. Once a port serving the inland town of Fermo, today the town of Porto Sant'Elpidio has turned into a wonderful seaside resort with a small port.

Curpa Marittima

An old-fashioned coastal resort, not crowded with hotels and imbued with the spirit of a fun family holiday. It is possible that Curpa Marittima owes such a relaxed atmosphere to the lush vegetation around it - pine trees, palm trees and oleanders. A short sandy beach (only 2.5 km long), dotted with old concrete groins, starts right behind the beautiful little port. There are rarely too many vacationers on the beach. There's an interesting person working in the city shell museum. If you are interested in camping, the best tent sites are in the north, between Curpa Marittima and Pedaso in the north.

Grottammare

This small resort in the south of the Palm Riviera Marche boasts a 5-kilometer strip of sandy beaches. On the beautiful pedestrian promenade there are several superb buildings that exemplify the seaside Liberty style of architecture, mostly luxury villas from the turn of the last century. Rows of palm trees along the seashore, colorful flower beds and well-groomed lawns give the city an indescribable charm. Historical Center, a medieval town overlooking the sea, contains beautiful ancient buildings with magnificent views of the sea. Beautiful church Santa Lucia was built in 1957 in memory of the most famous son of the city, Pope Sixtus V. The ruins of an ancient Castle rise above the city.

San Benedetto del Tronto

One of the main resorts of the south of Marche, whose embankment is decorated with seven thousand palm trees, stands out for its unique tropical atmosphere. This is also beautiful city, known as the second most important fishing port on the Adriatic coast of Italy. The resort is hugely popular, but with 8km of wide sandy beaches fringed by palm trees, there's plenty of room for everyone. At the same time, the old-fashioned elegance of the city does not prevent the city from seething nightlife, which does not leave younger tourists indifferent. The most beautiful part of the beach is also where the most good hotels– stretches south of the city center. The beach north of the extensive port is not as well-maintained, but there are many half-empty and free areas. The old part of the city is located above the main resort, at the far end Corso Mazzini, and is marked by a castle surrounded by narrow streets of brick houses. Residents of the resort take catching fish and eating it equally seriously; There are many restaurants in the city where every taste will be satisfied for a reasonable price. This is one of best places to try brodetto, a dish for the preparation of which 13 types of fish are used - no more, no less.

Select and book a hotel in San Benedetto del Tronto

When thinking about where to go in Italy, take note of Marche. The region has all the attractive components. Clean beaches of the Adriatic, picturesque Konero nature reserve, lovely historical cities with sights and what we love most about Italy is the delicious cuisine.

In the photo: the square of the Italian town of Ascoli

Before the numerous vacationers who fill neighboring Emilia-Romagna in the summer have discovered Marche, hurry up to see and feel it. We have already been there and selected the main points that we need to pay attention to.

ADRIATIC SEA

180 kilometers coastline, 9 bays and 16 beaches marked blue flag. In Marche you will find places to sunbathe and swim. There are several places that you can choose for a beach holiday: Senigallia, San Benedetto del Tronto, Gabbice Mare.

In the photo: San Benedetto del Tronto beach

Italians love Senigallia for its sandy beaches. In San Benedetto, palm trees are planted along the embankment, and there is white sand on the shore, which is why they decided to call the town the Italian Miami.

In the photo: the promenade of San Benedetto del Tronto

RIVIERA CONERO

There are 12 natural parks in Marche, protected by the state. We liked the coast of Portonovo most of all, surrounded by the picturesque Conero Park. There is vegetation here (connoisseurs of coniferous trees, like those in Istria, will be glad to see their abundance here), mountains, and the sea.

For an original place to stay, we recommend the Fortino Napoleonico di Portonovo, a former Napoleon's fort located right in Conero Park, with views of the Adriatic and an excellent restaurant for dinner.

But in general, the landscapes of Marche sometimes resemble the tranquil Tuscan ones - the same green hills and ancient houses, and in the distance you can also see the white peaks of the Apennines.

LORETO

In the photo: the basilica in the town of Loreto

We move from nature to cultural values. The town of Loreto, closest to the capital Ancona, is famous for its basilica, where pilgrims come every year. Inside the church is Santa Casa, the house where the Virgin Mary was born.

In the photo: Santa Casa, the house where, according to legend, the Virgin Mary was born

According to legend, the house was moved by angels in 1291 from Nazareth; according to documents, it was transported in parts in the thirteenth century on a ship with the participation of a noble Italian family. By the end of the fifteenth century, a basilica was built for the relic. Now Santa Casa is located in a separate chapel along with an unusual statue of the “Black Madonna”.

ASCOLI

The Ascoli were founded by Italic tribes even before Rome; a road and bridge have been preserved from ancient times. In the Middle Ages the city became known as the “city of a hundred towers”, which were visible even at the entrance to Ascoli.

In the photo: the central square of Ascoli, Piazza del Poppolo

Nowadays there are significantly fewer Romanesque and Gothic towers left; you can try to count them while walking. central square Piazza del Poppolo, paved with gray marble, is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy.

The latter is arguable, but don't miss the historic Café Meletti located here. The Meletti brand has been producing Anisetta anise liqueur for 140 years. In 1903, the Meletti family bought the former post office building and transformed it into an elegant Art Deco coffee house.

The vaults in the cafe are painted with frescoes, the chandeliers are made in the shape of anise leaves, the marble tables and Viennese chairs look like they were 100 years ago.

You need to drink anise liqueur, snacking on a coffee bean, or just coffee with the same liqueur. Meletti is so beautiful that it is impossible to leave quickly.

In the photo: anise liqueur at the Meletti cafe, anise liqueur should be drunk with coffee beans from glasses with a thick stem.

URBINO

In terms of attractions, Urbino is considered the most attractive city. Firstly, this is the birthplace of Raphael; the house of the artist’s parents has been preserved here, which functions as a museum.

Secondly, the city flaunts its own Palazzo Ducale – ducal palace Renaissance. It is included in the UNESCO heritage and is one of the most remarkable palaces in Italy. Palazzo Ducale was built under the supervision of Duke Federico da Montefeltro, who ruled Urbino from the mid-fifteenth century.

A portrait of Federico by Pietro della Francesca hangs in the Uffizi, and behind the Duke there is a view of the city from the windows of the palace. The palace is designed as a fortress, with round towers on the façade inspired by the architecture of minarets. The Duke was a great admirer of antiquity, ordered the construction of a pagan “Temple of the Muses” in the palace, and hung portraits of Ptolemy, Plato and Aristotle in his office.

The walls in the cabin are covered with inlaid wooden panels with an optical effect, it seems as if there are astronomical instruments and books on the shelves. The palace has an impressive spiral staircase, seemingly endless, and balconies with an impressive panorama. Get ready, they often drive around the palace school excursions, so it will be noisy.

PURCHASES

There are many large factories in the region Italian stamps, and with them - shops and outlets. It’s easy to buy Tod’s, Hogan and Santoni shoes at a significant discount. To get to the shops, you will have to take a car; the factories are located far from tourist areas.

GASTRONOMY

We will pay special attention to gastronomic pleasures, there are many of them here. The proximity of the Adriatic provides seafood.

In the photo: lobster in Fortino Napoleonico

In Portonovo they catch wild mussels, which are served with butter and bread. The main pastas are those with langoustines, shells and shrimp.

Try local variations of prosciutto, such as Prosciutto di Carpegna. Marche has wonderful village cheeses - pecorino, stracciatella (stretchy cheese in cream), ricotta, buffala, as well as formaggio di fossa (hard cheese like pecorino, which is eaten with apple marmalade).

Particular attention to the wonderful white wine Verdicchio. In Italy, friulano from Friuli is traditionally considered the king of white wines, but, as we see it, if Marche winemakers take up the promotion of verdicchio, the position can be reconsidered.

Verdicchio is a fine, aromatic wine that has been made in the region since the 14th century, and its modern variations go well with seafood cuisine.

In the photo: seafood pasta and Verdicchio wine

And finally, to everyone who, when hearing the word “truffles,” begins to wiggle their nose dreamily. They are found here! Black and precious white truffles are harvested in the mountains of the northern Marche. People in the region love to tell stories of how cyclopean-sized mushrooms were sent to John Paul II and, more recently, to Barack Obama. So Piedmont also has a competitor.

In the photo: pasta with truffle crumbs

We had a chance to taste black truffles at the excellent Osteria Dalla Peppa in the city of Fano. The mushroom, cut into pencil shavings, is placed on toasted white bread as an appetizer for “spumante”, and then the same shavings are added to tagliatelle in butter sauce. We know that truffles are not for everyone, but for our tastes they are mind-blowing.

Pictured: classic antipasti (snacks) from the Marche region

By the way, if you are in Fano (and then you definitely need to find this osteria), order the traditional La Moretta Fanese as a digestif - hot coffee with rum, anise liqueur and brandy. The ingredients are poured in layers, when mixed, it turns out great.

We thank the Marche region and the tour operator for organizing the trip ICS Travel Group . Charter flights to the regional capital of Ancona are operated by ICS from June 1 to early September.

Did you like the material? Join us on facebook

Lyudmila Egorshina- Lyudmila Egorshina is a former columnist for Afisha magazine and host of columns about travel, culture and fashion on the website elle.ru. She has traveled half of the world, but has a special penchant for Asian culture and Italian cuisine.

They say about Marche that it is Italy in one region. Here there is everything that one would like to see on a trip: the blue surface of the sea, mountain peaks, architectural uniqueness, best food and wine.

In Marche you can combine all your desires for Italian life and culture.

If you need to find the Marche region on a map of Italy, you need to pay attention to East Coast Adriatic Sea in Italy. Closer to the middle of the “boot”, a little to the south.

Location of Marche on the map of Italy

The capital of the Marche region is a major port city in Italy.

There is a lot to see in the Marche region:

You will learn more about the region and its attractions from the video:

The most vibrant cities for tourism in the Marche are:

Local kitchen

The cuisine of the Marche region, thanks to the special structure of the territory, where the mountains predominate, but there is also the sea, is very diverse. A cuisine that alternates meat dishes typical of mountainous regions with dishes based on shellfish, fatty fish and seafood.

The cuisine of the Marche region is very diverse

We should not forget the region's famous stuffed olives, one of the symbols of Marche products.

Typical dishes often found in Marche restaurants:

• For snacks - "antipasti" on the coast they serve various variations of fish broth from 13 types of fish with saffron;
• Moving deeper into the Marche region, dishes containing mushrooms and truffles;
• Pasta with squid and mushrooms(calamari e funghi);
• stuffed lasagna(lasagne all'ascolana);
• Chickpea soup with pork(la minestra di ceci);
• classic for Marche - tagliatelle with truffles(tagliatelle al tartufo).

In the mountains you can often find polenta with sausage, mushroom and truffle salad.

Desserts in Marche, as in all of Italy, are given a special place.
You can try it here:

• "Bekutte" (beccute)— buns decorated with pine nuts and raisins;
• "Caciuni"- ravioli stuffed with cheese, eggs, sugar and lemon zest;
• "castagnole"- sweet dough balls sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Castagnole - sweet dough balls

Among the Marche wines, the most valuable are:

• "Maceratesi Black Hills"— dry and harmonious taste;
• "Rosso Conero"- dry, rich wine;
• Rosso Piceno, Sangiovese— delicate bouquet and harmonious taste;
• "Lacrima di Morro d'Alba" with an intense fruity aroma and rich taste.

Climate

In the region of Italy - Marche, climatic conditions have a wide range due to the difference in relief heights. IN mountainous areas Marche has cool summers and cold winters with snow, which occurs quite often and heavily.

In addition, in inland mountainous areas, temperatures can be very low.

Along the coastal zone, north of Marche's capital Ancona, the climate is subcontinental. Hot summers are usually cooled by sea breezes, and there are also quite cold winters (in Pesaro average temperature in January 3.8 °C).

Average temperature readings:

• Winter temperature on the coast: 7-12C;
• Winter temperature in mountainous areas: 0-3.9C;
• Summer temperatures on the coast: 24-28C;
• Summer temperatures in the mountains: 15-22C.

Best season for excursion holiday in March - May, early June. For the beach - end of June - September.

From late June to September you can enjoy beach holidays in the Marche region

Something else

For lovers of relaxation and spa:

• not far from the capital of Marche - Ancona (60 km), in Pergola, at 16 Localita’ Bellisio Solfare, located thermal resort— Bellisio Solfare Terme Srl. Website suasanus.it
• 106 km from Ancona, on via San Gianno, 7, in the town of Petriano, thermal resort - Terme Di Raffaello Di Riccione Terme. Website termediraffaello.it
• Another thermal source— Terme Santa Lucia, 76 km from Ancona, on Viale Terme Santa Lucia, in the town of Tolentino. Website termesantalucia.it

Millions of tourists come to Italy, but in Marche, in Civitanova, they still have one goal - to visit the wonderful beaches.

The best of them: Promontorio del Conero and Gargano. In addition to these beautiful beaches with “postcard” views, there are 17 more beaches in the Marche region that have received the prestigious Blue Flag award.

How to get there

The main motorway in the Marche region is the A14, linking major roads with those leading to smaller villages and towns. These, in turn, are connected by an efficient bus network.

Automobile

• From the Adriatic side: Highway A14;
• From (direction Florence): A1 motorway. Then, to Val di Chiana, A1;
• To Perugia - - Foligno - SP 75 motorway;
• From Foligno - Loreto - SS 3 Flaminia, exit at SP 77;
• From the Tyrrhenian coast (direction Rome): Motorway A1, exit at E45 (Orte - ) towards Terni;
• SS 3 Flaminia, on Foligno - Loreto;
• SP 77 on Serravalle del Chienti, Muccia, La Maddalena, Macerata.

Airplane

Marche International Airport - Falconara Marittima (http://www.marcheairport.com/)
From airport:

• by car;
• by bus, there are two lines, Line J (Falconare - Ancona) on ConeroBus (website http://www.conerobus.it/)
  Farabollini lines (Ancona - Macerata), website http://www.farabollini.it/

Train

From the airport station - Castelferretti, select the direction and go commuter train, buy a ticket at the box office/terminal/online and get to the desired point. Website: trenitalia.it.

Conclusion

Clean sea, Mountain peaks, care and concern for the environment and historical heritage, the best food and, on top of all this, good prices.

This is the Marche region.