Sites & Sounds of Marche

- Italy's Garden of Eden
- A Rich Cultural Heritage

- Local Festivals
- Simply Delicious

Marche is an affluent zone with little crime and full of the warm welcome for which central and southern Italy is renowned - even the most basic attempt to speak Italian will guarantee you a warm and friendly reception.

Not surprisingly the Marche region is favoured by many Italian holiday-makers for the range of delights it offers, from the culinary wonders served up in its many restaurants to a richness of art and history which bears testimony to the region’s glorious cultural past.

SHOPPING
On a more modern footing, Marche is the undisputed Italian capital of shoe-making, as a visit to any of the regular markets and shoe shops in the coastal towns of Civitanova-Marche, Porto San Giorgio and Porto Sant Elpidio will bear witness. For bargains for shoes look no further !

Quality leather goods, in particular bags and coats, are also a prominent part of the Marche economy.

During the summer months many towns hold their own outdoor antique markets. They stay open until at least midnight and are also a social occasion, combining wonderfully with that most Italian of pastimes, the passeggiata (stroll).

PLACES TO VISIT
(see also Local Festivals, A Rich Cultural Heritage and Simply Delicious)

There is a tremendous amount to see and do in Marche - from indoor and outdoor theatre and concerts, to horse racing, boat trips, hunting, trekking, mountain biking, riding, or simply strolling through the many historic piazzas, soaking up the atmosphere.

The area is rich in Roman and Etruscan archaeological sites and there is an abundance of fine art and architecture to absorb.

Marche boasts over 70 beautiful historic theatres, 25 of which are active, and 234 art galleries and museums. Historic towns are dotted across the region and numerous castles and fortresses also house their own museums.

And indoor and outdoor concerts, ranging from classical, jazz, to rock and pop are held in most towns.

For more information we recommend you take a look at www.le-marche.com or www.regione.marche.it but here are some of the more important galleries, museums and musical events:

Galleries and Museums
• Urbino - Galleria Nazionale delle Marche
• Ancona - Museo Archeologico delle Marche
• Ancona - Pinacoteca civica
• Pesaro - Musei Civici
• Fabriano - Pinacoteca Civica
• Jesi - Pinacoteca Civica
• San Severino Marche - Pinacoteca Civica
• Fermo - Pinacoteca Civica
• Ascoli Piceno - Pinacoteca Civica
• Recanati - Museo Civico
• Loreto - Museo della Santa Casa

Concerts and Music Festivals
• Pesaro The Rossini Opera Festival - August
• Macerata The open-air opera season in the magnificent Sferisterio arena - mid July to mid August
• Fano - Fano Jazz by the Sea - July
• Ancona - Klezmer Music Festival at the Mole Vanvitelliana - July
• Urbino - Early Music Festival - July
• Jesi Opera season - end-September to November
• San Severino Marche - Blues Festival - July
• Osimo - International Dance Festival - July
• Senigallia - International Piano Competition - August-September
• Amandola - International Theatre Festival - end August to early September
• Castelfidardo - International Accordion Festival - early October
• Ancona - Ancona Jazz Festival - early November