Le Marche, the only plural region in Italy and which already by its name anticipates the plurality of wonders with which it welcomes its visitors.

Sea, mountains, hills, rivers and lakes are all part of the natural heritage of this Region where you can, within minutes, totally change the atmosphere.

The natural beauty goes well with the cities of art, which are numerous and present throughout the territory, from the northernmost tip to the borders with Abruzzo.

History, religion, culture, nature: this region is not just a destination to visit. Every single city in Le Marche is a real world to discover.

Don't you believe it?

So get ready: here's a mini-tour through 4 cities in Le Marche that may be lesser-known, but which, I promise, will make you want to pack your bags right away and hit the road!

Cities of Marche by the sea: Fano, the town born "for Fortune"

Our tour starts in the north of the region and in a city that will give you plenty of surprises: Fano, in the province of Pesaro-Urbino.

It has an important historic center, but not only that.It has a beautiful waterfront and a port to discover, but not only that.

It is perfect for those who want to relax, but also for those who are looking for a sports vacation.

Churches, palaces and houses are all works to be discovered.

I mean, it's really worth getting to know her better.

The walls and the center of Fano

During the Roman Empire it was known as Fanum Fortunae , and was a nerve center because of its location since it was the end point of the Via Flaminia on the Adriatic.

Traces of that very important period are still clearly visible today, first of all theArch of Augustus, the gateway to the Roman city. If you want to admire it in all its beauty we suggest you go up to the Pincio Gardens, from there you have the best view of the Arch!

Of the Augustan Walls, about two-thirds of the original route is preserved, and they are definitely impressive. While inside the Mentanari Mediatheque you can visit the remains of the Augusteum, a building devoted to imperial worship.

In the city center you will be greeted by the Fountain of Fortune, topped by a statue of the Goddess Fortuna. It is so beautiful and striking that you would never think it was a copy: the original is kept at the Malatesta Palace Museum inside which we also find:

• the Pinacoteca, with paintings by Guercino, Guido Reni, Simone Cantarini among others;
• The archaeological section;
• the ceramics and numismatics section;
• Morganti Hall, home to important temporary exhibitions.

At the northeastern end of the city wall you can instead admire the Rocca Malatestiana.

St. Francis: in Fano, an open-air church.

One thing we are sure will leave you breathless is theformer St. Francis Church, a true open-air monument left without a roof!

It is a unique building in Fanese cultural heritage, with a lawn floor and completely open-air. Visiting it is an unforgettable experience, and also very romantic!

The tower houses

Have you ever heard of tower houses? In Fano you can see them!

They are fortified constructions, which arose during the Late Middle Ages within the city walls as a mode of defense after barbarian destruction. They were normal dwellings that could, however, become defensive structures if necessary: the highest part, in fact, served as an observatory both towards the hinterland and the sea.

Wandering around the city you can spot several of them. And finding them all is definitely a beautiful and fun experience to do even with children!

The Gugul, the harbor and the waterfront of Fano

The so-called Gugul area (named after an ancient net used for fishing) is a real gem: more hidden than the Lido, it is filled with the small, colorful fishermen's houses and full of decorations related to seafaring traditions.

A place that can trigger so many emotions, and that still manages today to express the conviviality and sense of community that characterized this area of the city in the past. Walking around you can still hear the chatter of the long tables in the street where everyone ate rustita, a typical dish of roasted and breaded fish.

But you absolutely cannot go to Fano and not pass by the harbor, which has always been the heart of the seaside town. From there you walk to the pier of the trabocchi, and this we recommend you do at sunset, they are a truly exceptional sight!

The Lysippus Promenade, on the other hand, is just a short walk from the city's main beaches, and is filled with murals that color the pier, adding to the beauty of the landscape that opens up to the sea.

As you have seen, Fano is rightfully among the cities in the Marche region that you absolutely must visit, and not just in the summer: did you know, for example, that its carnival is the oldest in Italy?

Marotta: sea and mosaics await you in this Marche town

Just south of Fano is another stop not to be missed, especially for sea lovers! Still in the Province of Pesaro-Urbino, we find a pearl of the Marche hills that sees its territory extend all the way to the Adriatic Sea: Marotta.

Known among the cities to visit in the Marche region precisely for its coastline, and for the Beach that is among the Blue Flags of Europe, Marotta is so much more.

Did you know, for example, that Marotta is actually the town of Enrico Ruggeri's "Winter Sea"?

The singer-songwriter has always been fond of this small village in the Marche region, and it is thanks to his song that so many tourists flock to its beaches not only in the summer, but also in the colder season. To capture all the nuances, emotions and details of that landscape that Ruggeri has translated into music.

Marotta and the Coast of Mosaics

The Coast of Mosaics is the characteristic feature of the Marotta beach area. For the past few years, in fact, street furniture using the trencadis mosaic technique, of Catalan origin, made from salvaged materials, has been emerging on the waterfront.

An experience that, ever since the first mosaic representing the two extremes of Marotta's territory (the sea and the hill), has been liked so much that it has been replicated on all the waterfront walls starting from the Pier.

An unparalleled work, a single space that encompasses the art of mosaics and the beauty of the seascape. What's more, it also created important moments of aggregation not only for the residents of Marotta, but also for tourists and visitors who have the opportunity to actively participate in the creation of these works!

The Garagoi and The Tract

Also referring to the sea are Marotta's traditions and food and wine specialties.

In April there is the Festival of Garagoi, small shellfish caught mainly in the stretch of the Adriatic from Rimini to Ancona. But the housewives of Marotta cook them so sublimely that they have made their town the garagoi capital of the world!

The Festa della Tratta, on the other hand, is a historical re-enactment of hand-trawling fishing, which to this day is banned.

Cities in Le Marche to visit: Ostra

In the heart of the province of Ancona, we find Ostra, a valuable village awarded the Orange Flag.

Little trivia about its name: it was formerly known as Montalbondo, a name later changed to Ostra, which derives from Ostra Antica, from Roman times, meaning "abandoned city."

It is located in the hills overlooking the Misa Valley, and offers breathtaking landscapes that stretch to the Apennines.

Silent alleys, stopped in time, reaching from the countryside to the village. All around sunflower fields, vineyards and olive groves. Impossible not to fall in love with it. Landscape that you can also glimpse while walking through the alleys of the center.

The historic center of Ostra, among its narrow streets, holds true historical gems:

• the medieval city wall;
• Martyrs' Square;
• City Hall;
• La Vittoria Theater;
• Church of St. Francis
• Shrine of the Most Holy Crucifix.

The Feast of the Sprevengoli of Ostra

The Sprevengoli Festival brings visitors from all over Italy to Ostra every year!

But-what are wasters?

According to tradition, they are spirits that disturb people during sleep, enjoying jumping on people's abdomen, causing them to wake up startled.

And during the last weekend of October, to exorcise the presence of these spirits, the village indulges in three days of festivities, with dedicated menus from the wineries, shows and entertainment.

If you are not afraid of the Sprevengoli 😉 we suggest you spend at least a day in Ostra, to wander aimlessly through its alleys, to be enchanted by its unique views. Trust us, it's really worth it to get to know the heart of the Marche's villages up close.

Cities of art in the Marche: Recanati and Leopardi

Surely you are already familiar with Recanati, the hometown of Giacomo Leopardi, one of Italy's greatest poets.

Leaning in the hills of the province of Macerata, very close to Loreto, an Italian symbol of spirituality, Recanati looks like a classic Marches village, rich in history and a past immortalized among the narrow streets of the center.

And just by wandering through those narrow streets we can find and visit the most famous places in the city:

- Leopardi's house;
- the Hill of Infinity;
- the Saturday square of the Village;
- the Tower of the Village;
- Silvia's house.

With every step you take in this town you seem to relive the atmosphere recreated by Leopardi's most famous poems. You can almost hear the cackling of children playing on Saturdays in the piazzetta, which Casa Leopardi itself overlooks.

The latter absolutely must be visited not only for the poet, but also to be able to admire the splendid library with more than 20,000 volumes inside.

Then don't miss the Colle dell'Infinito, perfect for a walk through time, for moments of calm and quiet that allow the eye to get lost in the breathtaking panorama it offers.

And to convince you definitively (if you still need it) let's leave the word to those who, with words, know a lot about them....

"And what immense thoughts,
What sweet dreams my sight breathed
Of that distant sea, those blue mountains,
Which from here I discover, and which I cross one day
I thought to myself, arcane worlds, arcane
Happiness pretending to my living!
Unaware of my fate, and how many times
This painful and naked life of mine
Willingly with death I would have changed."

Le Marche remain in the hearts of those who visit them, for their beauty, their calm, their naturalness. Because, after all, as Guido Piovone said, "Italy, with its landscapes, is a distillation of the world; the Marche of Italy..."

Suitcases ready? Get ready to set off on an unforgettable journey among the cities of Le Marche!