Is an essentially mountainous and hilly
region, facing the Adriatic Sea. The mountain area is rugged, with narrow
valleys, deep gorges and numerous rushing, sometimes inaccessible, streams
(Gorge of Furlo). The coastline presents a succession of gently rolling hills
and flat plains crossed by rivers.
Cities:
The regional capital is Ancona. Other
important cities are Ascoli Piceno, Pesaro, Urbino and Macerata.
Art:
Numerous and remarkable remains of
the Roman Age can be found in
Ascoli, Fano, Ancona, Fermo,
Urbisaglia and near Macerata.
Outstanding examples of Romanesque
architecture, with Byzantine
elements, can be seen in the areas
around Ancona and Ascoli. The Gothic
style is present in Ascoli and
Tolentino. The region reached its
highest artistic splendor during the
Renaissance, thanks to the presence
of very important local artists,
such as Raphael and Bramante.
Museums:
In Ancona the National Museum of the
Marches, with an interesting local
archaeologic collection; the
Diocesan Museum of the Cathedral,
which houses interesting medieval
relics; important pictorial works (Tiziano,
Lotto) in the Pinacoteca Civica. A
rich pictorial exhibition can be
admired in the Pinacoteca Comunale
of Ascoli. In Pesaro, the Civic
Museums display paintings, ceramics
of the famous Renaissance “botteghe”
(art workshops) and archaeologic
relics. In Urbino, the National
Gallery of the Marches holds the
most important collection of the
Marchigiana art (Raphael, Tiziano,
Piero della Francesca); in the Museo
del Duomo “Albani”,
fourteenth-century frescoes,
paintings, ceramics and sacred
relics can be admired; the native
house of Raphael is interesting and
deserves a visit. The Biblioteca
Comunale of Macerata houses very
ancient incunabula; in the Museum of
the Carriages very rare specimens of
ancient vehicles can be seen.
To be visited:
On the seaside Fano, the coastline
and the panoramic area of Mount
Conero. Then, there are the Gorge of
Furlo, Pesaro, and Urbino with its
beautiful view and environs.
