They are located in the municipality of Genga, around 50 km south-west of Ancona, which is the capital of the Marche region. Their discovery is actually quite recent, as it was only in 1971 that a group of explorers happened upon the entrance to the Abisso Ancona, which is large enough to contain the entire Milan Duomo!

This natural wonder has been open to the public since 1974 and today visitors can easily book a guided tour and admire the enchanting natural limestone sculptures created by the water and rock over 190 million years creating chambers, pools of water, stalactites and stalagmites.

These structures have very strange name that recalls shapes of mythological creatures including the Giants, the Camel, Madonnina, the Witches Castle, and many more! The Frasassi caves can be visited throughout the year and there is an interesting visitor center on site as well as tourist facilities in the surrounding area.

CASTELFIDARDO ACCORDION

Since the mid-nineteenth century the town of Castelfidardo has been known as the home of the best accordions in the world, made with skill and passion in a strictly traditional  and artisanal way. To promote the culture and beauty of this craft, in 1981 the Municipality opened the International Accordion Museum in a beautiful sixteenth-century building, the museum features a wonderful collection of 350 specimens from 22 countries, with illustrative videos and reproductions of older artifact. The museum takes visitors on an exciting journey to discover and instrument nicknamed a “mini-orchestra”.

FABRIANO MASTERY ON PAPER

Since the 13th century, the craft of papermaking has been popular in the Marche region. This tradition method of manufacturing paper has is done using recycled garments and other alternative materials, such as cotton rags and eventually linen and hemp rags as well . The center of this papermaking process is found in the town of Fabriano in the Marche region. Fabriano paper makers were the first to use the watermark, useful for distinguishing paper products of different types and qualities, and to avoid counterfeiting. The centuries-old paper-making tradition in the Marche involves the development of important artistic craft sectors, such as the restoration of ancient books and artistic bookbinding. The Marche region boasts the greatest number of artisan bookbinding workshops still operating today, these workshops are dedicated to binding books, photo albums, diaries and papers made entirely by hand, with high quality materials (leather and handmade paper), while respecting the paper production traditions of the region.

MONTAPPONE HAT

The legend of the Montappone hat involves a king who owned the largest collection of crowns ever seen. The king promised his daughter’s hand to the man who would bring the most particular of crowns as a pledge of love. A young farmer came to the palace with a straw hat, made by intertwining the ears of wheat, imitating the movement of birds. The king was delighted and granted him his daughter in marriage. Today the production of the hat is the economic engine of the town of Montappone and is also the reason why this small village in the Marche is known all over the world.

The beaches of the region are known for their thin white sand and beautiful cobalt blue waters, resembling Caribbean destinations.

Marche is the best place to go if you want to spend holidays with your family in beach resorts or hotels, most of which are pet friendly. They were awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education, an association which monitors and controls the quality of the costal environment, the resorts were celebrated for their excellent level of service, sustainability, environmental attention and hospitality.

There are lots of activities for those who want to spend their holidays in Marche beaches. From a trip in a fishing boat discovering the oyster “sea vineyard” to all the events organized by Tipicità in Blu.

The treasures found in Adriatic Sea are also part of a very rich cuisine with many typical recipes based on seafood and fish from the territory

An ideal voyage between the fragrances and the landscapes of the mountains to the sea, from Ascoli Piceno to San Benedetto del Tronto, all places worth a visit!

Ascoli Piceno

Born at the confluence of two waterways, the Castellano and the Tronto, we  find at its heart two piazzas: Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Arringo. But the distinctive character of Ascoli, even more so than its  architecture, is the whiteness that emanates from the city, mainly built with travertine (typical limestone from central Italy).

In addition to the many museums, churches and art galleries to visit, it is necessary to take the time to stop at Caffè Manu (one of the historic cafés of Italy, in the Art Nouveau style) on the Piazza del Popolo, and the Ponte sul Tronto, from the Augustan era, with a round arch and one of the largest for its amplitude of light (more than 22 meters). Not far from the city are the museums of papal stationery, located in restored buildings which were the factory for the stationery since the Middle Ages. The factory used the driving force of the stream to operate its machines. Surprising by their perfection and grandeur, the various attractions of the city will intrigue you and fascinate you.

Offida

The heyday of this town dates back to the Middle Ages. Offida is one of the best preserved centers of the whole region. Here you will find the Teatro Serpente Aureo, dating from the first half of the nineteenth century, which is a small masterpiece within the town hall. Its 50 rows, divided into 3 levels, surround the stage in a horseshoes form and surround the stalls. The central rosette depicting Apollo with three muses (music, comedy and tragedy) draws attention. Another jewel of Offida is the Church of Santa Maria della Rocca: a Romanesque-Gothic building dating back to 1330 that preserves splendid frescoes by the Maestro of Offida (operating between the XIV and XV centuries).

Ripatransone

Surrounded by walls of medieval origin, this small village perched on the hill houses prestigious buildings, including the Mercantile Theatre and the Church of Santa Maria, all built between 1300 and the first decades of 1800. Discover the characteristic decorations of private dwellings and, if you do not suffer from claustrophobia, look for the narrowest alley in Italy: only 43 cm!

Monteprandone

A village on the slopes of the hill whose historic centre, with its Castellane walls and charming alleys, keeps retains the fascination of ancient times. On beautiful days, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view that goes from the mountain to the sea, sweeping through the valley of the Tronto. Do not forget to visit the Collegiate Church of San Niccolò di Bari and its museum, with works of art ranging from the 13th to the 18th centuries.

Acquaviva Picena

A small hilly municipality where you can breathe the ancient history: surrounded by the remains of the Dukes di Acquaviva fortress, this village has preserved its elegance and beauty. Besides the fortress, you will also be enchanted by the Church of San Rocco (13th century), the Municipal Palace and the Church of San Lorenzo of the Augustine, which houses some paintings of Carlo Crivelli.

Cupra Marittima

This ancient settlement dating back to the prehistoric period has hosted the Picena civilization and later the Roman one. The scenery is dominated by the upper part of the village, made up of the medieval inhouse, while the lower village has a seaside character, dating back to the second half of the nineteenth century. Take advantage to visit its renowned beach, the Malacological Museum and the Archaeological Museum of the Territory, with exhibits of precious objects.

San Benedetto del Tronto

Fine sand, shallow waters and a promenade populated by thousands of palm trees: San Benedetto del Tronto has a lively setting that combines culture and good cuisine. Thanks to the quality of its beaches, the city receives the prestigious Blue Flag every year. In this beautiful setting, every visitor finds his pleasure: hills dotted with medieval villages and not to be missed museums, including the Museum of the Sea and the Museum of Amphorae.

Porta Valbona

Porta Valbona is one of the entry gates in the city walls of Urbino. Once you cross the gate, you’ll find yourself on Via Mazzini, the main boulevard that brings you to the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The construction of the gate dates back to 1621 AD, in celebration of the wedding between Federico Ubaldo della Rovere and Claudia de’ Medici: Porta Valbona was a gift from the city to the newlyweds.

Photo Credits

Palazzo Ducale

Palazzo Ducaleis considered one of the most representative examples of Renaissance art. Its architecture fits so well in the city landscape that the palace and the city seem to be a continuum, a single structure. The palace hosts one of the most important art collections of the Italian Renaissance: the National Gallery of the Marches, with works by Piero della Francesca, Titian, and Raphael.

Duomo di Urbino

The Duomo of Urbino is the main church of the city. The current achitecture, of neoclassical influence, is the result of several renovations throughout the years, the last of which was  at the beginning of the 1800s, when the Duomo was heavily damaged by an earthquake.

Photo Credits

In Italy, each region is a discovery. Today we invite you to the Marche region, with a visit of three beautiful cities with a rich history: Macerata, Urbino and Ancona.

Sferisterio de Macerata

The Sferisterio of Macerata is a unique theatrical structure, which is greatly appreciated by musicians from around the world for the quality of its acoustics.

The Sferisterio owes its name to its original use: it was created as a place where they played ball with a bracelet, an ancient sport (“sferistico“, which means with a ball).

With a maximum capacity of about 2,800 seats, it’s been known since 1921 for its opera performances, which take place during the summer season.

Doge’s Palace

You certainly shouldn’t miss a visit to the beautiful city of Urbino, a jewel from the Renaissance, whose historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Also take time to visit the Doge’s Palace, which houses one of the largest collections of Italian Renaissance art: the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche, with the works of Piero della Francesca, Tiziano, Raffaello.

Duomo di San Ciriaco

How to leave the regional capital! Take a walk, starting at the city port, and pass by the Arch of Traiano, from where you can see the Duomo di San Ciriaco, one of the symbols of Ancona.

The Duomo, of Byzantine and Roman style, is located in a superb location, on the Colle Guasco, and overlooks the city and its Bay.

This monument is renowned not only for its architectural value, but also for the so-called “Miracle Mariano di San Ciriaco”.

According to legend, on the evening of June 25, 1796, the painting of the Virgin Mary, a gift to the Duomo of Ancona from a Venetian sailor in gratitude for rescuing his son of a stormy sea, opened her eyes and smiled.

The miracle has been interpreted as protection of the city from the sky, against the Napoleonic threat.