Le Marche

The Undiscovered Italy

The region of Le Marche is an enchanting corner of Italy with a varied landscape from hilly countryside to a long coastline extending along the Adriatic Sea for about 180 km. The hinterland is characterized by fine medieval boroughs, whereas the coastline has low waters and fine sandy beaches, apart from one high, rocky cliff at Monte Conero. The region is full of natural beauty boasting two national parks (Monti Sibillini and Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga) and four regional parks.

Ancona is the regional capital and is a natural port dating back to the 5th century BC, when it was founded by Greek exiles from Siracusa in Sicily. Together with Pesaro, which is the birthplace of composer Gioacchino Rossini, it is one of the pivotal centres of the coast. In the countryside the medieval highlights of the region are the cities of Ascoli Piceno and Urbino.

Le Marche is as yet little known to tourists, but its beauty and unspoiled environment mean that this region will soon eclipse Tuscany. With fertile rounded hills topped by ancient fortified towns, inland dramatic mountainous zones, the birthplace of Italy's greatest Romantic poet and the place of one of the most important shrines to the Virgin Mary, the region is steeped in history and phenomenal geography.