A little known region of great charm, spectacular beaches and romantic panoramas
THE MARCHES
The ancient Marches area was
initially occupied by the Umbri and the Picentes since early
Paleolithic times until the 3rd century when the Romans colonized and
organized the region. After them the Goths invaded the area and in the
6th century the Byzantine founded the northern part]of today's Marches,
including the cities of Ancona, Fano, Pesaro, and Senigallia. The
southern section was ruled by the powerful Lombard duchy of Spoleto.In the 8th century, the region was donated to the papacy and the name Marche or "boundaries", was given to this area around the 10th century because the feuds of Ancona, Camerino and Fermo were created at the border of the Holy Roman Empire.
Many battles were fought among the popes and the emperors to conquer until the 13th century when the popes gradually reestablished their political rule in the Marches. The pope supremacy was replaced for a short period (from 1979 to 1815) by the French one and it was then restored to the papacy until 1860. For a period of time Marches joined the kingdom of Sardinia along with Umbria and Tuscany.
Marches land is almost completely mountainous a part from a narrow costal strip on the Adriatic Sea. The main occupations are farming and cattle-breeding while the manufacturer industry produces textiles, chemicals, pottery and a well established tradition of artisans' handmade musical instruments such as Despite the narrow costal strip The Marches has four big ports: Pesaro, Fano, Senigallia and Ancona. All of them are both important commercial and fishing centers.
CITIES
The regioni s divided into 5 provinces: Ancona, Ascoli Piceno, Fermo, Macerata, Pesaro e Urbino.
The regioni s divided into 5 provinces: Ancona, Ascoli Piceno, Fermo, Macerata, Pesaro e Urbino.
ART AND CULTURE
Despite its sizes, The Marches deserves an in-depth visit as it's spectacularly rich of beautiful small villages, palaces, religious buildings, and monuments having great architectural and artistic value. In Ancona and Pesaro do not miss the beauty of their cathedrals; in Urbino, the Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is a stupefying testimony of Renaissance splendor. If you find yourself in Macerata during summer I would suggest you to book a seat at the majestic Sferisterio theatre for a play or a musical performance. Almost all the centers in the region have great artistic treasures. It is enough to think about Ascoli Piceno where a mixture of medieval and renaissance architecture (S. Francesco, Loggia dei Mercanti, Piazza del Popolo, etc.) give you a taste of art and beauty.
Loreto instead is famous for its Santa Casa and the black Madonna that every year call crowds of pilgrims.
This sanctuary is famous because the legend foes that the simple cottage at Nazareth were the Holy Family lived was borne away by a group of angels in 1291 as the Saracens descended on the Holy Land.
It first was placed on a hill in Dalmatia but just 4 years later (on December the 10th 1294) it was miraculously moved again and traveled across the Adriatic Sea reaching a laurel grove (from the Latin lauretum, hence Loreto) overrun by bandits.
To this day, the Marches inhabitants and faithful devoted to the Black Madonna, light candles and bonfires on the eve of December the 10th in order to celebrate the Translation of the Holy House and guide the Santa Casa to find the right way.
Despite its sizes, The Marches deserves an in-depth visit as it's spectacularly rich of beautiful small villages, palaces, religious buildings, and monuments having great architectural and artistic value. In Ancona and Pesaro do not miss the beauty of their cathedrals; in Urbino, the Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is a stupefying testimony of Renaissance splendor. If you find yourself in Macerata during summer I would suggest you to book a seat at the majestic Sferisterio theatre for a play or a musical performance. Almost all the centers in the region have great artistic treasures. It is enough to think about Ascoli Piceno where a mixture of medieval and renaissance architecture (S. Francesco, Loggia dei Mercanti, Piazza del Popolo, etc.) give you a taste of art and beauty.
Loreto instead is famous for its Santa Casa and the black Madonna that every year call crowds of pilgrims.
This sanctuary is famous because the legend foes that the simple cottage at Nazareth were the Holy Family lived was borne away by a group of angels in 1291 as the Saracens descended on the Holy Land.
It first was placed on a hill in Dalmatia but just 4 years later (on December the 10th 1294) it was miraculously moved again and traveled across the Adriatic Sea reaching a laurel grove (from the Latin lauretum, hence Loreto) overrun by bandits.
To this day, the Marches inhabitants and faithful devoted to the Black Madonna, light candles and bonfires on the eve of December the 10th in order to celebrate the Translation of the Holy House and guide the Santa Casa to find the right way.