Free Time
Sightseeing
 Le
Marche is the land of a thousand theatres including the grand 'Sferisterio'
amphitheatre in Macerata, which holds 7,000 people and is second
only to Verona in Italy's summer open-air opera calendar.
From well preserved examples of ancient Roman engineering,
at nearby Urbisaglia and Falerone to the Late Renaissance flourishes
of the Basilica of Loreto and the 'Liberty' style art nouveaux coastal
villas, Le Marche also has some of central Italy's finest architectural
monuments. Almost every village and town have preserved their medieval
centres and it is very difficult to cherry pick from such an abundant
crop, but here are a few morsels to make your mouth water.
 Abbadia
di Fiastra-(20mins)
A Cistercian monastery founded in 1142, the building
material was taken from the near Roman city 'Urbs Salvia' whose
farmland stretched 30km to the coast in medieval times. Today the
surrounding parkland is still cultivated by the monks and wines
and other produce is on sale to the public, there are two very good
well priced restaurants, and the monastery, an archeological museum
and beautiful nature reserve is open to the public.
Urbisaglia(20mins)
Adjacent to Abbadia di Fiastra, this impressive
Roman site provides free tours of its frescoes, theatre and amphitheatre,
which was water filled and where slaves fought on boats (mmm shall
I be cut to ribbons or drowned)
 Ascoli
Piceno (40mins)
The city is dominated by numerous medieval towers
and the Piazza del Popolo which is tiled with travertine and undoubtedly
one of the most elegant squares of Italy. An amazing array of gothic
architecture, great riverside walks, shopping and art galleries,
plus some wonderful bars to sample the local Piceni wines. Oh, make
sure you do some people watching in the Art Nouveaux Bar Meletti
in the main Piazza.
Caldarola (15 mins)
is dominated by the Pallotta castle, started
in the 9th Century and transformed in the 16th by the Pallotta family,
who still own the castle and now open it to the public, there are
also 3 other castles in the surrounding countryside.
Camerino (30mins)
This panoramic university hill town has a history
that goes back to Neolithic times. It has remained unchanged since
its Renaissance heyday, when the local Da Varanno family governed
much of surrounding Le Marche. Imposing churches, palaces and art
plus lovely gardens, outdoor cafes and some great shops.
 Amandola
(15 mins)
This touring centre for the national park has a
wonderful gothic piazza, sit in one of the bars there and watch
the world go by, or try getting up and sampling the museum of rural
history.
Macerata (30mins)
Has a number of central piazzas with stunning
architecture, a beautiful theatre, Duomo, art gallery and museums
of carriages and the unification of Italy/ wartime resistance. There
are also a variety of tempting shops and some lovely bars and ristorante.
 Tolentino(20mins)
This vibrant medieval city is home to the shrine
of St Nicola, and some amazing architecture including an ancient
roman bridge and a bizarre clock tower in the main square and the
nearby 12th© Castello della Rancia. Wander round the museum
of caricature and humour in art, or simply enjoy the shopping, cafés
and trattorie.
Montemonaco (30mins)
A pretty walled town with an information centre
for the Sibillini National Park. From here you can walk in a couple
of hours to the 'Cave of the Sibyl' (the lair of Tannhauser's Venus),
or more striking, follow the River Tenna up the amazing limestone
Golla dell'Infernaccio, / 'Little Hell Gorge', a three-hour walk
from the road.
Frasassi (40mins)
This awesome network of underground limestone caves
is the largest in Europe and a must see for any visitor.
Historic Homes & Gardens
If you fancy looking around some of the most impressive
historic gardens and properties that the region has to offer then
click
here to visit a site which lists those surrounding the Villa.
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