“La Marca” means borderland and therefore a passing-through area, but equally an area of meetings, of exchanges and comparisons. The characteristics of the region stem from this historic heritage. Le Marche, the Marches, is the only Italian region named in the plural, precisely because it is formed of the union of different political, cultural and social entities. The territory, famous for the beauty of its landscapes, has its own geographical characteristics, with a strong contrast between the mainly mountainous west side and the gentle hills of the eastern, coastal region. The high hinterland is formed by the Apennine mountains, the highest range of which is the Sibillini, which give their name to the area’s national park.

In this hinterland, about 70 km from the coast, is situated the town of Camerino, which was the centre of the first Marca. The surrounding mountains are the ancient guardians of the history of the people who have settled in these valleys. Nature itself seems to be a part of the events that saw the birth of the area’s medieval towns and villages.

The many architectural relics such as towers, castles and fortresses that are found dotted over the countryside are a part of the magic of these mountains. The charm of the landscape is also bound up with many legends, handed down through the centuries, which wrap this land in an aura of mystery. To understand the history of the area involves a journey through its colours, tastes and scents. In the 15th century the Sibillini were described as a land full of legends and fairies, reigned over by the Sibilla Cumana (the Sibyl of Cuma, transferred here from the Naples region) and site of the Lago di Pilato (Pilate’s Lake), so-named because the body of the Roman procurator was supposedly dragged here by a herd of buffalo.

Legends aside, the Sibillini mountains are a range of about twenty peaks of limestone origin, among the highest being Monte Vettore (2476 m), Pizzo della Regina (2332 m) and Monte Sibilla (2173 m).

The area is rich in native flora, including woods of oak, hornbeam, flowering ash and beech, while at high altitudes the beautiful edelweiss is found. The fauna is equally rich, comprising important species such as wolves, wild boar, wild cats, deer, eagles, sparrowhawks, peregrine falcons, hares and even porcupines. One of the most primitive remaining species of freshwater crustacean is found in the National Park, Chirocephalus Marchesoni, which lives in the Lago di Pilato and at certain times of year turns the water a reddish colour.

A special wealth of art and culture is found in the park itself, with its 70,000 hectares of land, eighteen municipalities (comuni) and more than 16,000 inhabitants. The area is characterized principally by a high number of villages with original medieval centres such as Visso, Castel Sant’Angelo sul Nera, Ussita, etc.

The Sea One of the most distinctive features of the Marche region is its coast, which stretches for more than 180 km, its beaches having earned numerous “blue flags” attesting to the exceptional quality of the waters. This stretch of coast boasts a host of resorts such as Gabicce Mare, Fano, Pesaro, Senigallia, Portonovo, Marcelli, Lido di Fermo, Porto San Giorgio, Pedaso and San Benedetto del Tronto, as well as the historic seaport of Ancona.

The Mountains In the winter it is possible to go skiing from the resorts of Sarnano, Bolognola, Ussita and Castel Sant’Angelo sul Nera, with their modern lift systems and wide number of pistes of varying difficulty. Cross-country skiing is also available in various areas. These exceptional mountains also offer other sporting activities, including hiking, mountain-biking, hang-gliding, and water sports. In this way the mountains are an excellent sporting location both in summer and in winter.

Rocca Varano, Camerino

Camerino & The Sibillini Mountains

Deer

Chirocephalus Marchesonii

Portonovo

Bolognola

Ski lifts