Italy, Marche: attractions, reviews, photo

Marche is an area in the east of Italy, located on the Adriatic coast. The region is famous for the fact that almost 10% of all its territories are considered protected and protected by the state of Italy. Marche combines in itself and beach, and mountain, and historical forms of tourism, so it is so attractive for travelers. However, many of them bypass the area by side, poisoned in more popular places: Florence, Rome or Venice. And absolutely in vain. Mark is not inferior to other regions in the number of beaches and monuments of architecture.

History of Marche

The capital of the region, the city of Ancona, was founded in 387 BC. E. Greek colonists. Prior to this, scattered tribes of the Etruscans lived on the territory, which were later superseded by the Romans. Italy (Marche, among others) was the most developed part of the world in antiquity, and Ancona, being near Rome, grew quite violently. At the same time, the city became the center of Italian trade, and the Romans called the settlement "the eastern gate of the country".

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Marche was captured by barbarian tribes ready. For some time the territory was under the rule of the heiress of Rome - Byzantium, but after the arrival of the Lombard tribe, she lost control of the region. Lombards actively fought against the Pope until they were conquered by the state of the Franks. Having seized the land, the King of the Franks handed Marc to the Pope of Rome, who was his vassal.

In the 11th century the region gained its independence, becoming a free trade republic. For many centuries, she stood the siege of her powerful competitor - Venice. The republican government was later replaced by a hereditary board. The territory was ruled by the dukes of Urbino of the genus Montefeltro. Only in the 16th century the Pope was able to restore his authority over the Marche region.

At the end of the XVIII century, Ancona was captured by the French army of Napoleon, and later became part of the united state of Italy. The Marche is still its administrative unit.

Castle of the Dukes of Urbino

The castle was built by the order of Frederico da Montefeltro at the end of the XV century. He bought out Florentine architects and set out to build an ideal residence for the ruler of a small state. However, the Duke of Urbino died suddenly, and work on the erection of the castle was suspended.

After centuries of work on the castle were resumed. Upon completion of construction, the Ducal Palace became a classic example of Italian Renaissance culture. Now the castle is actively visited by tourists. There are numerous excursions, including in the art gallery of the castle.

Holy Hut

The Basilica of Santa Caz (in translation "holy hut") is one of the most revered Christian shrines, which Italy is famous for. Mark has a lot of Catholic churches, but this one stands out among others with its unique history. Biblical tradition says that once there was a house in the Holy Land, not far from Jerusalem, where Mary the mother of Christ grew and grew up. On the site of the house was subsequently built a church, which later was destroyed by Muslims. Then the Crusaders moved the miniature model of the temple first to Dalmatia, and then to Ancona. By order of the Pope on a miniature model, a real church was erected.

Pilgrims to this day seek to visit the shrine, and ordinary tourists are attracted by the original architecture of the building. The Basilica is a cultural monument of the Renaissance, it contains numerous ancient frescoes and sculptures of outstanding Italian artists. In addition, the church has its own treasury, which contains valuable jewelry.

Park "Monte Conero"

In addition to historical monuments, tourists are attracted by the beautiful landscapes that Italy is famous for. Marche, a holiday in which is designed for lovers of unspoilt nature, can offer to visit the park "Monte Conero", located at the foot of the mountain of the same name. It is open for tourists. Moreover, guided tours here are carried out by experienced guides who can, if desired, compose an individual route.

The territory of the park covers an area of almost 6,000 square meters. M. There are numerous hiking and cycling paths, a walk through which allows you to go through the real thickets of the forest. They all lead to the rocky coast of the Adriatic Sea. From here you have a magnificent view of the beaches and the capital of Marche, the city of Ancona. On the way, tourists can meet many species of birds and animals: peregrine falcons, eagles, martens, badgers. Also here you can "stumble" at the park attractions: caves and white cliffs. Often on the territory of the "Monte Conero" tastings of local wines and delicacies are held.

Ancona Cathedral

The main church of the city was built in the XI century, and, of course, it is one of the main attractions of Ancona. The building is built in Byzantine style and designed in the form of a Greek cross. Here, the remains of the Catholic saints Judas Kyriak and Marcellin of Ancona are preserved. According to the chronicles, at the site of the current cathedral was once built a Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite.

The cathedral was rebuilt several times, although the facade retained its historical appearance. The first restoration works were made at the end of the XIX century, and during the First World War the temple was partially destroyed by bombing. The building itself was restored, but the famous frescoes and paintings were irretrievably lost. Subsequently, the church was bombed again, during the Second World War. It was also severely damaged by the 1972 earthquake. However, now the Cathedral of Ancona is working as usual, there are Catholic services, as well as excursions for tourists who decided to visit the state of Italy. Marche, photo sights of which can be seen in this article, will amaze travelers with the grandeur and antiquity of their monuments.

Reviews of tourists

Many travelers liked the Italy. Mark, whose reviews are mostly positive, usually stays away from tourists. They prefer to stay in more popular cities: Rome, Florence, Naples. However, people who have already visited Ancona, say that it is not inferior to these cities. Moreover, on the territory of the region housing is cheaper, which means that you can save a lot of money. Tourists also provide economical shopping, a variety of local cuisine and delicious wines, which are so famous for Italy.

Marche, hotels that are much cheaper than in Rome, will be a great place for those who want to explore the central part of the country without spending large sums. From Ancona in just a few hours you can reach Rome, Venice, Florence and even San Marino. The Marche region is worth a visit to everyone who loves historical monuments, rocky beaches and natural nature.