THE REGIONS OF ITALY: MARCHE Italy has got the most important culture and art in the world. In the towns and cities of the Marche region you can find a lot of historical and cultural roman empire heritage; even the smallest villages keep many wonderful treasures. The most important cities are: Ancona – Ascoli Piceno – Macerata – Pesaro – Urbino – Fermo – Recanati – Loreto – Senigallia. Ancona: S. Ciriaco Macerata Pesaro Ancona San Benedetto del Tronto Urbino Ancona-La cathédrale Ascoli P.- Loreto

The nature is rich and various (the Adriatic Sea with its smooth and sandy beaches, sometimes interrupted by steep reefs; the green hills and their harmonious sights). You can find in Marche a huge variety of landscapes, and even great poets were insipred by this fascinating region: Dante, Leopardi, Carducci THE SEA, THE HILLS, THE MOUNTAINS Pierre Simone et Simoncello Mont Vettore Vallée Esina Pennabilli Sarnano Fermo Fano Furlo Frasassi Conero Senigallia

Torre di Palme There are 180 Km of coasts, and the amazing roads around the hills and the suburbs, full of cities, villages, religious buildings, castles and fortresses, witness of the great well-preserved historical heritage. For example, the Urbino historical centre is in the World Heritage List. S. Vittoria-Fermo Gradara CASTLES AND FORTRESSES Senigallia San Leo Mondavio Fabriano Amandola Castello della Pieve Corinaldo S. Severino Marche Urbino

Discovered in 1971 and opened to the public in 1974, the Frasassi caves are a great natural wonder: its routes are really amazing, full of stalactites and stalagmites, small lakes, alabaster spears emerging from its impressing vaults. This has been defined one of the best tourist routes in the world. THE FRASASSI CAVES.

Matelica Ancona Ripatransone Urbino Tolentino Potenza Picena Fabriano THEATRES IN THE REGION Marche Historical theatres: it’s a cultural and architectural heritage made of 73 historical theatres that represent, for its dimension, composition and historical value, a “unicum” with no comparisons in Italy (the names of the photos correspond to the names of the cities).

TRADITIONAL AND POPULAR FESTIVALS Urbania Ascoli Piceno San Severino Fano Apiro Marche are also famous for the traditional festivals; historical recalls that take place in the beautiful cities and towns historical centres (the Quintana in Ascoli Piceno, the Duke Festival in Urbino, and many more), and other special festivals joined to religion or Carnival, like the “Befana” in Urbania, the “Presepe Vivente (alive crib)” in many towns, the opera season at the Sferisterio in Macerata, etc.