LE MARCHE
A LAND OF TRADITIONS, ART AND WELLBEING
Le Marche region, sitting between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea, is an extraordinary area with medieval hilltop towns, an incredible artistic heritage, lush countryside, hearty cuisine and longstanding traditions; le Marche is a region that deserves to be recognized for its own history and cultural identity.
The beaches interchange between soft and fine sand with rocky boulders in the clear water of the Adriatic Sea, recognized all over the world for their beauty. The villages are one of the most evocative places we could find in the region, fabulous masterpieces, with unique architectural harmony, among soft hills where time seems to have stopped.
The rare beauty has inspired great native personalities, from Giacomo Leopardi to Raffaello, from Giovan Battista Pergolesi to Gioacchino Rossini, from Federico II to Pope Sisto V. These important figures and their works represent the inestimable historical, artistic and intellectual richness of this region, which never stop to amaze those who visit it with its extraordinary hidden treasures and fabulous cultural resources.
ART & CULTURE
- In Urbino enter the magnificent Oratorio San Giovanni Battista, where it is possible to admire an imposing cycle of frescoes, made between 1415 and 1416, by the brothers Lorenzo and Jacopo Salimbeni. Entering this sacred area you are struck by the scenic power of the frescoes and the fulcrum of the work: the crucifixion that covers the wall of the apse.
- Get access to the Palazzo Ducale, built for Federico da Montefeltro to promote the name of his family and to glorify him as a man of the Renaissance, a man who was able to combine culture, a military career and political prowess. The building, characteristic for the facade with its turrets, is home to the National Gallery of the Marche region, which preserves one of the most beautiful and important art collections of the Italian Renaissance.
- In Urbino visit the birth house of Raffaello to see the masterpiece Giovanni Santi, the workshop and the collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramic objects and many drawings, inspired or dedicated to the artist.
- In Pesaro privately visit to Biblioteca Oliveriana, an impressive documentary heritage, which today consists of about 400,000 volumes,it is the result of a composite evolution, which originates with the first donation in 1756: the its impressive library, full of printed works, especially of archaeology and history, rare editions, manuscripts and parchments, as well as a collection of antiquarian finds and excavation materials. Get the opportunity to view exclusively an original sketch by Raphael.
- Privately get access to Villa Buonaccorsi, an immense 18th-century estate with one of the most well-preserved terraced jardin a líitalienne and fountains in Europe, featuring even some original automata of the same century and a tiny church. Stroll within rare plants, perfumed lemon trees, fountain and water features, recesses and obelisks. This splendid villa was once an ancient summer residence of a powerful Macerataís family, the inner spaces are undoubtedly charming and suggestive, composed of luxurious halls and frescoed rooms.
- In Macerata enter the Biblioteca Mozzi Borgetti, founded in 1773 in the ex seat of the Jesuit College, today it is one of the largest libraries of the region and contains about 350,000 volumes. In addition to the 10,000 manuscripts, there are 300 incunabula and over 4,000 sixteenth century editions.
- Enter the sacred spaces of the Church of San Claudio al Chienti, of very ancient origins is certainly one of the most important examples of Romanesque architecture in the region. The building retains its original appearance, its greatest peculiarity is the presence of two overlapped churches, the faÁade is framed by two cylindrical towers and a gothic portal. A church that looks like a fortress and that hides a secret linked to the life, and perhaps even to the death, of Charlemagne Emperor, it is said that this church was the center of the Carolingian court.
EXPLORE
- With an art historian visit Urbino, a city rich in history and art. Designed and built following the ancient concept of the ëIdeal cityí, a concept of an urban settlement whose design reflects a predominantly geometric scheme, abstract criteria and principles of rationality and functionality; Urbino is aligned with the wind rose and surrounded by a massive wall. Urbino, UNESCO heritage, was once a simple village whose historic centre became the ìCradle of the Renaissance.î Still today, it is like jump in the 14th Century with its narrow street and its majestic Palazzo Ducale. Discover the birthplace of Raffaello, one of the most talented painters and architect of the Italian Renaissance, his work is admired for its clarity of form, ease of composition and for its visual achievement.
- Walk through the city center of Macerata, from the Loggia dei Mercanti with two-tier arcades dating from the RenaissanceThere are a number of striking palazzi, mostly along Corso Matteotti, among other the Palazzo Buonaccorsi. The Palazzo Buonaccorsi is an 18th-century aristocratic palace, now the civic museum of the town, today the palace accommodates the ìMusei Civici di Palazzo Buonaccorsiî including a painting gallery spanning works from the medieval period to modern times.
- With an art historian visit the magnificent city center of Ascoli Piceno, many of the buildings in the central historical part of the city are built with travertine, a gray-hued stone extracted from the surrounding mountains. The Piazza Arringo, was the administrative and religious center of the town, surrounded by the Cathedral, the baptistery, the Bishopís residence, and the Palace of the Commune. According to traditional accounts, Ascoli Piceno once housed some two hundred towers in the Middle Ages.
- With an art historian visit Urbino, a city rich in history and art. Designed and built following the ancient concept of the ëIdeal cityí, a concept of an urban settlement whose design reflects a predominantly geometric scheme, abstract criteria and principles of rationality and functionality; Urbino is aligned with the wind rose and surrounded by a massive wall. Urbino, UNESCO heritage, was once a simple village whose historic centre became the ìCradle of the Renaissance.î Still today, it is like jump in the 14th Century with its narrow street and its majestic Palazzo Ducale. Discover the birthplace of Raffaello, one of the most talented painters and architect of the Italian Renaissance, his work is admired for its clarity of form, ease of composition and for its visual achievement.
- Walk through the city center of Macerata, from the Loggia dei Mercanti with two-tier arcades dating from the RenaissanceThere are a number of striking palazzi, mostly along Corso Matteotti, among other the Palazzo Buonaccorsi. The Palazzo Buonaccorsi is an 18th-century aristocratic palace, now the civic museum of the town, today the palace accommodates the ìMusei Civici di Palazzo Buonaccorsiî including a painting gallery spanning works from the medieval period to modern times.
- With an art historian visit the magnificent city center of Ascoli Piceno, many of the buildings in the central historical part of the city are built with travertine, a gray-hued stone extracted from the surrounding mountains. The Piazza Arringo, was the administrative and religious center of the town, surrounded by the Cathedral, the baptistery, the Bishopís residence, and the Palace of the Commune. According to traditional accounts, Ascoli Piceno once housed some two hundred towers in the Middle Ages.
MUSIC & TRADITIONS
- In Pesaro get access to the Teatro Gioacchino Rossini, home of the annual opera festival, inaugurated on 10 June 1818 it still maintains its original features and decorations, assist to a concert and visit the backstage.
- In San Severino, famous to keep its medieval traditions alive, take part to a historical reenactment with music and dances, immerse yourself in the sounds and colours and jump back in time.
- In Potenza Picena, assist to a private concert in the Cappella dei Contadini, the chapel was decorated with frescoes by Benedetto Biancolini, the stage has a peculiar shape, a hemisphere, offering to the audience clean and powerful soundís musical performances. Housed within the walls of Collegiate Church, the chapel is a real hidden treasure: a great little eighteenth-century jewel, built by the peasant religious congregation named Congregazione dei Contadini, and consecrated to the Purification of Mary.
- At Villa Buonaccorsi, assist to an exclusive show of ancient games, musical and artistic entertainment, falconry display and historical dances. Immerse yourself in the noble life of the original owners, known at the time to throw the most amazing parties and gatherings for their influential guests.
- Take part as VIP guest to the Macerata opera festival, held every July in the neo-classical style arena, a regal open-air amphitheatre that every year hosts international opera productions thanks to a great natural acoustic and a massive stage; the festival is nowadays one of the most prestigious and appreciated event in Italy.
- Assist to a private Gregorian choir concert at the Church of San Claudio, immerse yourself in this millennial tradition and let the liturgical music transport you in a unique enchanting state.
- In Castelfidardo, assist to a private concert of accordion by local students that are keeping the tradition of this popular music instrument alive. Receive a music lesson and learn the first steps to mastery.
ARTS & CRAFTS
- Take part to a unique workshop on the crafting of historical Carolingian-age amulets. Various magical items and practices have been used for protection from potential misfortune since time immemorial. The preaching of the Carolingian missionaries was conducted along with the practice of divination and the use of amulets. Amulets were in demand for every imaginable situation in life, folded down to a portable size, sometimes as small as a thumbnail, and contain an inscription with prayers, blessings or incantations for protecting an individual from various negative influences.
- Learn how to realize a sheet of paper at a workshop in Fabriano, a city with more than 750 years of history of paper. With the help of an expert witness the antique techniques of paper making from the vegetable pulp to a paper sheet. Visit the ancient headquarters of the paper mills to observe the artistic watermarks coming out of the Fabriano paper mills.
- Visit to Castelfidardo, known worldwide for the production of high quality accordions, enter the production facilities to discover the making and precise tuning of this fascinating instrument, and together with the curator visit the museum where it is displayed the history of the instrument dating back 4500 years ago.
- With the backdrop of the green lush of the Sibillini Mountains explore the world of collection and distillation of healing herbs, visit to the distilleries to discover the secrets and uses of these ancient remedies.
EPICUREAN
- Dine at Uliassi, at the side of a 3 Michelin stars chef in one of the best Italian restaurants on the Adriatic sea. The restaurant overlooks the sea, between the canal harbor and the beach. Itís a place full of energy. Simple and contemporary, the cuisine is deeply rooted in the Adriatic Coast traditions, playing with other influences.
- At Villa Buonaccorsi in Potenza Picena, exclusively take part to a period banquet, proposing the dishes found in a historical cookbook of the Buonaccorsi family. Entertainment will accompany the banquets, to transport you into the historical and cultural context of 18th century life.
- Within the walls of the church of San Claudio taste the traditional delicacies of the region in an exclusive lunch for your enjoyment; the region offers typical dishes that have reached international acclaim: stuffed olives, ciausculo – a spreadable salami -, brodetto – fish stew -, crescia – stuffed flatbread- .
- Visit to a local winery and together with the estateís owner taste the wines produced with native vines, follow the journey of the connoisseur by learning the peculiarites od each wine.