Guide to Property in Le Marche

Le Marche has a wealth of natural beauty along the coast with cliffs and caves that overlook unforgettable beaches. The villages in the hills are steeped in history and tradition,  and all set against a backdrop of mountains.

Le Marche consists of the Marche Apennines in the west that descend to 180 kilometers of coastline. The Conero Riviera is particularly wonderful, with amazing views and unspoilt landscape, often only accessible via the sea or footpaths.

In the south west there are the Monti Sibillini and Monti della Laga National Parks.  The Sibillini National Park has a mountain chain the highest peak is  Mt. Vettore (2,476m). The park was established with the aim to safeguarding the natural environment, and wildlife includes  wolves, golden eagles, peregrine falcons.

Le Marche has one of the highest density of museums and art galleries in Italy, with a unique mixture of nature and historic influences that are reflected in the religious and cultural sites and of course the myriad towns, piazzas and important Churches and Abbeys, plus restored Theatres and Art Galleries.

Urbino is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its Palazzo Ducale is an marvellous example of Italian Renaissance architecture. The turreted, 15th-century Palazzo Ducale is home to the National Gallery of the Marche and features paintings by Titian and Raphael, who was born in Urbino. Raphael’s House has more paintings, including ones by the artist’s father. Next to the neoclassical cathedral is the Museo Diocesano Albani, with religious artifacts dating back to the 13th century.

Ascoli Piceno has Medieval historic center, including Piazza del Popolo - with its arched porticoes - and the Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo. On the first Sunday of August, there is the Quintana, in which expert horsemen challenge each other at a Saracen Joust.

Ancona, an ancient port has the Cathedral of San Ciriaco built on an ancient Greek acropolis.

If you love classical music, Pesaro hosts two weeks of complete immersion into the music of Gioacchino Rossini (a native of Pesaro) every August.

Ancona is a city on Italy’s Adriatic coast and the capital of the Marche region. It’s known for beaches, such as Passetto Beach, and the hilltop Cathedral of San Ciriaco.

Ascoli Piceno

Piazza del Popolo, an elegant Renaissance square in the center, and the 13th-century Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo is a palace built over Roman ruins. The Civic Picture Gallery, decorated with Murano glass chandeliers, displays paintings by Titian and Carlo Crivelli.

Urbino

A walled city in central Italy. It's known for the turreted, 15th-century Palazzo Ducale. Inside the palace, the National Gallery of the Marche features paintings by Titian and Raphael, who was born in the town.

Macerata

A university town with a Renaissance atmosphere.

The Marche region has a long sandy coastline and a host of inviting seaside resorts if you want to sail, windsurf and scuba dive.

The rocky peninsular of Monte Conero has  coves and white limestone cliffs totally unlike any other stretch of the Adriatic perfect for scuba diving.

Le Marche can boast one of the highest number of Blue Flag beaches of any region in Italy.

The Apennines possess over nine ski resorts, snow parks and cross-country trails of varying length and difficulty. The largest ski resort is Forca Canapine with 25 kilometres of slopes. The highest is Ussita at 2,000 metres.

The cuisine of Le Marche is as diverse as the whole of Italy with each area focusing on it's own produce. In rural areas many dishes include nuts, game and even truffles if you are lucky. In the  mountains game and pork is widely available and delicious. On the coast fish is the principle cuisine.

Mostly consumed within the region, the local wines are excellent. With numerous vineyards and 13 DOCS, the wines provide a wide variety and a surprise with every glass.

Wines of Le Marche include Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Sangiovese dei Colli Pesaresi, Bianchello del Metauro, Lacrima di Morro d'Alba.

Before the Roman conquest (3rd century BC) the region was inhabited by the Piceni along the coast and the Gauls in the mountains, then under the Romans it was important for trade.

At the time of the barbarians' invasions, it was split in two, with the Southern part under the Lombards and the Northern under the rule of the Eastern Roman Empire. The name of the region comes from the establishment by the Franks.

In the 14th century the region was divided into a number of small states. The Church gradually widened its influence in the region, until in the 17th century all the territory was under the rule of the Pope.

In the Napoleonic period Marche was a republic, then after the Congress of Vienna returned under to the Church, to be finally annexed to Italy in 1860, during the Second War of Independence.

Key Facts:

• Surface of 9,366 square kilometers
• Coastline extending over 180 Km
• Population of over 1.5 million
• Bordered by Emilia Romagna to the north, Umbria to the west, Abruzzo to the south

Provinces

Ancona (regional capital), Ascoli Piceno, Fermo, Macerata, Pesaro and Urbino.

Getting To Le Marche

Airports: Ancona, Rimini, Pescara, Perugia, Bologna

Road: A14 Motorway

Sea & Train: Ancona is a port town and train hub

Climate

Climate is temperate. Inland, in the mountainous areas, it is more continental with cold and often snowy winters; by the sea is more mediterranean. Precipitation varies from 1000-1500 mm. per year inland and 600-800 mm. per year on the Adriatic coast.