Welcome to the Wonders of the Marche!

In this ebook, we will take you on a journey to discover some of the most fascinating cities and places in the Marche region. You will explore the tradition of paper-making in Fabriano, one of the most famous cities in the world for its historic paper art; the lively Ancona, the capital of the region; the mysterious Frasassi Caves, an underground natural masterpiece; the historic Jesi; and the poetic Recanati, the birthplace of Giacomo Leopardi.

We hope to spark your curiosity and inspire you to visit these hidden gems of our beautiful country.

ANCONA

Ancona, the capital of the Marche region, is a port city with a thousand-year history.

Ancona, with its port on the Adriatic Sea, has been a meeting of peoples and cultures since ancient times. 

Ancona was founded by the Greeks and loved by the Romans, it has always played a central role in the history of the Mediterranean.

Today, Ancona is a modern and dynamic city that has preserved its historical and artistic heritage. 

Walking through its streets, you can admire monuments of great value, such as:

- the Arch of Trajan, represents one of the most important Roman testimonies of the Marche. Compared to other Roman arches located in the national territory, it is slender and very close to the sea. 

The architect was Apollodorus of Damascus in honor and thanks to the emperor Trajan who had ordered to expand the port of Ancona at his expense. And this is precisely the content of the inscription on the top of the arch still understandable.

- San Ciriaco Cathedral is located on the Guasco Hill, where we can have a view of the city and the sea. Its origins date back to the sixth century. Over the centuries, the building has been transformed into the current cathedral, dedicated to San Ciriaco, patron saint of Ancona. 

Its architecture is an example of the fusion of two styles: Romanesque and Byzantine. The Cathedral of San Ciriaco is not only a historical and artistic monument but a place of worship.

But Ancona is also a seaside town, with lovely beaches and a relaxing atmosphere. 

- Il Passetto is considered among the ten most beautiful beaches in Italy. You can reach the beach by going down a long staircase of white marble that starts from the Monument to the Fallen, or with the elevator.

At the bottom of the staircase overlooking the sea, there are the Caves of Passetto, carved into the rock by fishermen over a century ago, the more than 500 caves that start from the Passetto extend along the coast, represent a rare example of spontaneous architecture set in a natural environment.

Another thing not to forget about Ancona is the gastronomy with its dishes based on fresh fish and its fine wines.

The Frasassi Caves are underground karst caves located in the municipality of Genga, in the province of Ancona. All the caves fall within the Regional Natural Park of Gola della Rossa and Frasassi. 

THE CAVES OF FRASASSI

The complex consists of a vast series of underground environments, the first of which is easily accessible to the public and is the Abisso Ancona, an enormous cavity that has an extension of 180 120 m and a height of 200 m. 

The first trace of the most significant discovery, that of the Grotta Grande del Vento, will be in June 1971, when Rolando Silvestri, climbing the northern slope of Mount Valmontagnana at about 450 meters above sea level, discovered some small holes that had opened presumably due to the slipping of the dry surface earth mixed with branches and foliage caused by the heat of that summer. 

Since 1972 it has been under the protection of the Frasassi Consortium, formed by the municipality of Genga and the province of Ancona, with the aim of protecting and enhancing its scientific and tourist use. 

Since 1 September 1974, part of the caves has been open to the public, becoming over time one of the major tourist attractions in the Marche. 

In the Frasassi caves, a constant temperature of 14 °C and relative humidity close to 100% are recorded throughout the year. Opening the complex of tunnels to the public presented a series of technical problems, starting with the calculations necessary to establish the exact point in which to dig the access tunnel.

FABRIANO, LOCATED IN THE PROVINCE OF ANCONA IN THE MARCHE REGION, IS KNOWN FOR ITS LONG HISTORY IN PAPER PRODUCTION, WHICH RECEIVED THE RECOGNITION AS A UNESCO CREATIVE CITY IN 2013 IN THE CATEGORY OF 'CRAFTS AND TRADITIONAL ARTS'. SURROUNDED BY GREEN LANDSCAPES AND MOUNTAINS, THE CITY OFFERS MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR NATURE LOVERS. THE HISTORIC CENTER, WITH ITS QUIET STREETS, INVITES EXPLORATION ON FOOT, PROVIDING A PEACEFUL EXPERIENCE. FABRIANO IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT CULTURAL CENTER, WITH NATURAL BEAUTY, MUSEUMS, AND HISTORIC BUILDINGS, MAKING IT A PERFECT PLACE FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN HISTORY, ART, AND NATURE.

FABRIANO

PAPER PRODUCTION IN FABRIANO

FABRIANO'S PAPER-MAKING TRADITION DATES BACK TO THE 13TH CENTURY WHEN LOCAL PAPERMAKERS BEGAN IMPROVING TECHNIQUES LEARNED FROM THE ARABS. THEY DEVELOPED ADVANCED METHODS FOR MAKING PAPER FROM RAGS AND IMPROVED THE USE OF ANIMAL GLUE TO CREATE HIGHER QUALITY PAPER. THE INTRODUCTION OF WATERMARKS, WHICH GAVE THE PAPER A UNIQUE CHARACTER, WAS A MAJOR INNOVATION. THESE TECHNIQUES MADE FABRIANO FAMOUS AND INFLUENCED EUROPEAN PAPER PRODUCTION FOR CENTURIES.

THE MUSEUM OF PAPER AND WATERMARKING

TO PRESERVE AND TELL THE STORY OF THIS ANCIENT TRADITION, THE MUSEUM OF PAPER AND WATERMARK WAS ESTABLISHED TO SHOWCASE THE HISTORY OF FABRIANO AND ITS CRAFT TRADITION. THE MUSEUM PROVIDES VISITORS WITH A COMPLETE OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORY, TECHNIQUES, AND EVOLUTION OF PAPER PRODUCTION IN FABRIANO, HIGHLIGHTING THE CITY'S SIGNIFICANCE IN THIS CRAFT.

 A VISIT TO THE MUSEUM OFFERS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THE DEVELOPMENT OF PAPER PRODUCTION, THE CREATIVITY OF FABRIANO'S MASTER CRAFTSMEN, AND THE IMPORTANT ROLE THE CITY HAS PLAYED IN THE HISTORY OF CRAFTSMANSHIP. IT ALSO EMPHASIZES THE CULTURAL VALUE OF PAPER, MAKING THE MUSEUM OF PAPER AND WATERMARK AN ESSENTIAL PLACE TO EXPLORE AN IMPORTANT PART OF ITALIAN AND GLOBAL HERITAGE.

 THE MUSEUM FEATURES A RECONSTRUCTION OF A MEDIEVAL FULLING MILL, USED FOR PROCESSING OLD FABRICS IN PAPER PRODUCTION. VISITORS CAN OBSERVE TRADITIONAL HANDCRAFTING METHODS DEMONSTRATED BY EXPERT PAPERMAKERS. THE COLLECTION ALSO INCLUDES A LARGE VARIETY OF ANCIENT AND MODERN WATERMARKS, WHICH REPRESENT A KEY INNOVATION IN THE HISTORY OF PAPER.

RECANATI

Welcome to Recanati!  

Recanati is an attractive town in the heart of the Marche region, an Italian area that combines history, art, and nature. Famous for being the birthplace of Giacomo Leopardi, one of Italy's greatest poets.  

Let’s discover together what makes this city unique and why it deserves to be known by anyone passionate about art,history and more.

The Connection with Giacomo Leopardi

Giacomo Leopardi, who left an indelible mark on world literature, lived in Recanati for most of his life. Many of his writings were inspired by his experience in this place. 

His house, now transformed into a museum, allows visitors to connect with the environment that forged his poetry. 

Among the places Leopardi loved is the "Colle dell’Infinito," made famous by his homonymous poem, in which the poet reflects on the vastness and intimacy of the landscape surrounding him.

RECANATI- A Lively Cultural centre

Despite its small size, Recanati is a lively cultural centre. The town hosts numerous events, concerts and theatrical performances, especially during the Winter. 

The Teatro Persiani, a small gem of neoclassical architecture, offers a varied program that attracts audiences from across the region

Must-See Places in Recanati

Recanati is not only the birthplace of Leopardi, but it is also a city rich in monuments and places of historical and artistic interest. Some of the main attractions include:  

- The House of Leopardi: now is a museum that preserves letters, manuscripts, and objects related to his life. A visit to the house allows visitors to go into detail their understanding of the genesis of his most famous works.  

- The Cathedral of San Flaviano: This amazing religious building, dating back to the medieval period, preserves works of art and frescoes that tell the history of Recanati and its people.

- Colle dell’Infinito: Famous thanks to the poem "L’infinito," this panoramic spot is now a must-visit for tourists. Here, you can reflect on Leopardi's poetic world, immersed in the landscape that inspired him so much.

- Porto Recanati – A Brief Excursion to the Sea: Just a few kilometers from Recanati, Porto Recanati is the perfect destination for a sunny day. With its long sandy beach and the Adriatic Sea, it offers the chance to take a walk along the seafront, enjoy fresh fish at local restaurants, or simply relax on the beach.