Marche in Italy: UNESCO heritage, natural parks and the Adriatic coast

Urbino is a historic city in the Marches region that belongs to UNESCO's World Heritage. The center features a remarkable palace and an important art gallery. The city sits in the Apennine hills and displays architecture and art from centuries past. Visitors can walk through narrow streets and find historic buildings that tell the artistic and cultural story of this region.

Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle is a beach on the Adriatic coast of the Marches, known for its fine sand and two distinctive rock formations that rise from the water. This beach represents the natural beauty of the coastline in this region and offers contrast to the mountains and art cities inland. The cove is framed by high cliffs that give the place a secluded character.

Pesaro is a coastal town on the Adriatic Sea and serves as an entry point to the Marches collection. The city features a historic center and a waterfront that opens onto the sea. This is where visitors experience the character of the region, which stretches between the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic coast, blending mountain valleys with seaside life.

Ancona is the capital of the Marches region and sits on the Adriatic coast. The city has an old center with buildings from different periods. The port has been an important hub of trade for centuries and shapes life in Ancona. Visitors can explore the historic center and see how the city connects its past to the present. The harbor shows why this place matters so much to the whole region.

Monte San Bartolo Natural Park connects the Apennines to the Adriatic coast. Its cliffs offer views over the sea and show how the mountain landscape transitions into the coastal region. The park lies between Pesaro and Gabicce and represents the varied landscapes of the Marches that this collection explores.

The Passetto di Ancona is a viewpoint on the coast with stairs and a belvedere overlooking the sea. This place stands in Ancona and is part of a collection that introduces the Marches region - an area between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea with art cities, nature parks, and historic ports. From here you can see the coastline that stretches south to San Benedetto del Tronto and understand the connection between sea and mountains that defines the Marches.

Sirolo is a coastal village in the Marches where colorful houses line the hillside overlooking the Adriatic Sea. The village sits on a slope with narrow streets winding between old buildings. From the center, you can see the bay and the beaches below. This village represents the coastal life of the Marches region, which stretches between the Apennines and the sea. Sirolo is part of the collection showing how settlements in this territory mix with natural surroundings and offer views of the water.

Castello di Gradara is a medieval castle in the Marches region that rises on a hilltop and dominates the surrounding landscape. With its well-preserved walls and defensive towers, the castle offers insight into medieval architecture and fortification techniques. The castle is connected to the legend of Francesca da Rimini, a famous love story from the 13th century. Visitors can explore the courtyards, walk along the fortifications, and enjoy views of the Marches from the towers.

Fano is a historic town on the Adriatic coast where the old town center preserves buildings and monuments from different periods. Located in the Marches region, it bridges the heritage of the past with modern beach life. The historic core still shows traces of Roman and medieval times. The beaches stretch along the coast and offer a retreat for visitors seeking both history and the sea.

Fossombrone is an ancient village nestled within a gorge in the Marches, where rocky cliffs rise on both sides. The old town retains its medieval layout with narrow streets and stone buildings that have stood for centuries. The village sits where the Metauro Valley cuts through dramatic rocky terrain. As part of this journey through the Marches, Fossombrone shows how the region's interior valleys hold centuries of human settlement and traditional ways of life beyond the coastal areas.

The Basilica of the Santa Casa in Loreto is one of Italy's most important pilgrimage destinations. Built during the Renaissance, this basilica combines artistic excellence with spiritual significance. Inside, the sanctuary of the Santa Casa draws millions of pilgrims from around the world. The architecture showcases the work of master builders and blends various stylistic elements into a harmonious whole. Visitors can admire the skillful design of the interior spaces and the valuable decorations throughout the building.

The Palazzo Ducale in Urbino is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance architecture, built as the residence of the Dukes of Montefeltro. The palace houses the National Gallery of the Marches, displaying paintings, sculptures, and artworks from the region. The rooms of the Palazzo reveal the elegance and sophistication of Renaissance design, with its halls, courtyards, and staircases. Visitors can understand the history of the region through artworks created by local and Italian artists.

The Conero Park is a natural park along the Adriatic coast with cliffs, beaches and hiking trails. It connects the mountain landscape of the Apennines with the coastline and shows the varied nature of the Marches region. Visitors can walk along the cliffs, descend to the beaches or explore the forests. The park includes several villages perched on the slopes and offers various views of the Adriatic Sea.

Numana is a fishing port on the Adriatic coast in the Marches, where traditional fishing combines with modern beach life. The town has several beaches where swimmers and locals gather. The harbor remains active and shapes the character of the place, while the waterfront promenade serves as the center of public life. Numana sits on the Riviera del Conero and offers access to this coastal region that lies between mountains and sea.

This beach sits in a sheltered bay along the Adriatic Sea, part of the Conero Park. The water is particularly clear here, and cliffs rise above the shoreline. Walking paths cross through the nearby hillsides, offering views out toward the sea. Portonovo shows how the Marches blend mountain and coast together in one place.

The Sferisterio in Macerata is an ancient amphitheater that has been transformed into an open-air opera theater. It dates back to ancient times and was later adapted for modern performances. This venue combines history with contemporary culture, offering classical operas performed beneath the stars. Located in Macerata in the Marches region, it serves as an important center for opera performances in central Italy.

The Sanctuary of Santa Casa in Loreto is a major pilgrimage shrine in the Marches that houses what is believed to be the home of the Virgin Mary. Pilgrims have traveled to this place for centuries seeking spiritual connection. The sanctuary stands out for its architectural beauty and religious significance. It forms an important part of the region's spiritual heritage and gives visitors a sense of how faith shapes life in this area.

The Cathedral of San Ciriaco is a Romanesque cathedral that dominates Ancona from a hilltop with views over the harbor and the sea. This building has shaped the city's appearance for centuries and is a significant landmark in the Marches, where the Apennines meet the Adriatic coast.

The Osimo Caves are underground caverns located beneath the city of Osimo. They formed over millions of years through the erosion of limestone by water. Inside the caves you will find stalactites and stalagmites, formations that grew slowly from dripping water. The caves show the geological history of this region of the Marches and represent one of the natural treasures you can discover in this part of Italy. Walking through the underground passages, you can observe the power of nature that shaped these landscapes.

Recanati is a hilltop town in the Marches with a historic center and museums dedicated to local culture. Located between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea, this town shows how the inland areas of the Marches developed over time. Visitors can explore the medieval layout and cultural collections that help tell the story of this region.

The Tempio del Valadier rests in a rocky alcove overlooking the gorge at Genga, exemplifying the artistic richness found throughout the Marches region. This small neoclassical temple appears to float between the stone walls, a quiet achievement of 19th-century design. It represents the kind of cultural refinement that distinguishes the Marches, where art meets the dramatic mountain landscape. Visiting this temple gives a sense of how people in this region have shaped their environment with taste and care.

Fabriano is a town in the Marches where the tradition of handmade papermaking runs deep. For centuries, this craft has shaped the identity of the place. Artisans still practice the techniques passed down through generations in their workshops. Walking through the old town, you see how this heritage is woven into the buildings and streets. The town gives a glimpse into how skilled trades built communities and economies across Italy.

Casa Leopardi in Recanati is a house museum dedicated to Italian poet Giacomo Leopardi. Visitors can see the rooms where the poet lived and worked, along with his personal collections. The house shows how Leopardi lived in the city and preserves the objects that were part of his life. The museum provides insight into the life of one of the most important Italian poets of the 19th century and gives an understanding of his daily life in this region of the Marches.

Macerata is a university city located in the hills of the Marches, defined by its historic center and architectural character. The city shapes the cultural life of the region through its institutions and student presence. Here, artistic monuments meet academic traditions, making Macerata a place where history and contemporary life intersect.

The Abbazia di Fiastra is a former Cistercian monastery in the Marches countryside that now includes a nature reserve. Founded in the Middle Ages, the monastery shaped the landscape with its historic buildings, walls, and fields that remain visible today. Visitors experience a mix of religious history and nature, with forests and meadows surrounding the ancient structures. The site shows how monks once managed the land and organized monastic life in this region.

The Eremo di Santa Maria Infra Saxa is an ancient hermitage built directly against a rocky cliff face and contains a historic chapel. It sits in the Marches region of central Italy, which extends between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea. This sanctuary reflects the variety of the territory, where medieval castles, UNESCO sites, and natural parks exist together. The location reveals how people in this region have lived in and shaped their landscape over centuries.

Jesi is a fortified city in the Marches region, preserving a complete historic center with well-maintained walls. Located inland, the city shows how urban life developed over centuries. Its walls enclose narrow streets and squares where you can still see the region's history in the architecture and buildings.

The Museo della Carta e della Filigrana in Fabriano tells the story of papermaking and watermark techniques that shaped this region for centuries. The museum displays traditional equipment and shows how craftspeople created paper by hand. Visitors can see examples of filigrana work and learn about the delicate skills involved. The collection explains how Fabriano became an important center for paper production in Europe. Walking through the museum helps you understand the craft that brought prosperity to this community.

Tolentino is a town in the Marches region with a Gothic basilica and a historic center that preserves the character of medieval life. Located inland between the Apennines and the Adriatic coast, it shows how people lived here through the centuries, with narrow streets and old buildings that tell the story of the past. The basilica is an important pilgrimage site and reflects the religious significance of this area.

The Frasassi Caves are underground caverns that extend for several kilometers beneath this region. Visitors walk through passages where stalactites and stalagmites shimmer in the light. The caves were fully explored only in the 1970s. The limestone formations here took millions of years to develop, and they show how water gradually shapes rock over time. These caves rank among the largest in Italy and offer a remarkable look at geological processes.

The Parco Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi is a nature park in the Marches region with gorges, underground rivers, and hiking trails. This park demonstrates the varied landscape of the region between the Apennines and the Adriatic coast, connecting mountain terrain with the underground karst formations like the famous Frasassi caves.

The Monti Sibillini National Park shows the wild side of the Apennines within this region. Here you find steep mountain slopes, alpine lakes, and hiking trails that run through natural landscape. The park connects the rugged mountain terrain with the valleys and lets visitors experience the natural beauty of the Marches, which stretches between the Apennines and the Adriatic coast.

Monte Vettore is the highest peak in the Sibillini National Park in the Marches, offering views across the Apennine Mountains and toward the Adriatic coast. From its summit, visitors can explore the mountain landscape of the region and experience the range of nature found in this part of Italy. The mountain is an important destination for hikers who want to traverse the mountain ranges and discover the different elevations and their varied landscapes.

Lake Pilato is a mountain lake in the Sibillini range that you reach by hiking. It sits in an alpine setting at high elevation and offers a way to experience the natural side of the Apennines. The water is clear and cold, surrounded by mountains and meadows. The hike there takes you through different landscapes and shows how diverse the Marches region is. This lake is part of the mountain scenery that defines these lands.

Lake Fiastra is an artificial lake in a valley in the Marches region. The water is clean and suitable for swimming. Paths circle the lake and lead through the surrounding landscape. This lake fits into the collection of the Marches, which shows the natural variety and heritage between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea. Visitors can explore this area on foot and enjoy outdoor activities.

The Lame Rosse at Lago di Fiastra is part of the natural heritage that defines the Marches. This hiking route takes you through a canyon with red, rocky walls that rise above the water. Along the way, you see the layers of rock that make up the Apennine mountains and learn about the geology of this mountain region. The trail connects the mountain world of the Marches with the system of natural parks that stretches between the Apennines and the Adriatic coast.

Visso sits in the Sibillini mountains within the Marches region and shows how people live and work in this mountain area. The town has traditional architecture built over centuries. Life here moves with the rhythm of the mountains and the seasons. The streets follow the slopes, and buildings are made of stone as they have been for generations. Visso lies along the Ussita river and has historic churches and squares that remain part of daily community life.

Ascoli Piceno is a city in the heart of the Marches, built from white travertine with an intact medieval center. The main piazza is surrounded by historic buildings that show the urban layout from centuries past. The city sits in a valley between the Apennines and the Adriatic coast. Ascoli Piceno represents the artistic and architectural importance of the region and is one of the places to visit to understand the Marches.

Offida is a village in the Marches that preserves medieval architecture and traditional craftsmanship. The village sits on a hilltop with views of the surrounding countryside. Its narrow streets wind between old stone buildings. Traditional bobbin lace-making continues here, a craft passed down through generations. Wine cellars in the village store regional wines. The village maintains the character of how people have lived in this area for centuries.

The Rotonda a Mare in Senigallia is a circular building standing on the Adriatic shore and defines this seaside resort. It dates from the Belle-Epoque period when this region became popular for relaxation and holiday visits. The structure sits directly by the sea and serves today as a meeting point for visitors taking seaside walks or enjoying the view over the water. The Rotonda represents the history of tourism in the Marches and shows how these coastal towns developed over time.

Ussita is a mountain village in the Sibillini Mountains, located in the Marches region of central Italy. The village sits between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea and offers visitors access to hiking trails, mountain activities, and the nature of the Apennines. With its location in the hinterland of the Marches, Ussita provides insight into rural life in this region, which is known for its varied landscapes and cultural heritage.

Ripatransone is a small hillside village in the Marches that shows how people have lived in this region over time. The village has narrow streets and buildings from different periods, giving visitors a sense of the area's history. Located between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea, Ripatransone offers views over the valley below. This place helps travelers understand the varied landscape and heritage that make up the Marches.

Grottammare Alta is a hilltop village in the Marches with old houses that overlook the coastline and the lower beach below. It shows how people once lived in elevated positions in this region to protect themselves and watch over trade routes. From the narrow streets you can see the Adriatic Sea and the flat settlement beneath. This village is part of the Marches collection, which brings together art towns, natural parks, and coastal settlements.

This coastal town on the southern Adriatic coast of the Marches region is a popular beach destination. San Benedetto del Tronto has wide sandy beaches lined with palm trees and active seaside life. The town marks the southern end of this collection exploring the Marches, showing the variety of a region that stretches from the Apennines to the sea.

Senigallia is a coastal town on the Adriatic Sea with a historic center to explore and long beaches that stretch along the water. The town combines seaside life with the history found in its old streets and squares. Visitors can move between the character of the historic center and the leisure activities of the modern beach resort.

Cupra Marittima is a coastal town in the Marches that sits along the Adriatic Sea. The place brings together beaches with Roman archaeological remains. Visitors find here the everyday life of an Italian seaside resort, where swimmers and locals use the water. The Roman ruins tell of the long history of this region. This town fits the collection because it shows the connection between the natural coastal landscapes and the historical heritage of the Marches.

The Rocca Roveresca stands above Senigallia and displays medieval construction that developed over several centuries. This fortress was an important defensive stronghold for the city for a long time. Today visitors can walk through the old walls and structures, and look out from the top toward the city and the Adriatic coast. The Rocca is an example of how medieval defensive architecture shaped the Marches, and it fits into this collection which shows the region's variety from the Apennines to the sea.