Le Marche (under construction)

Le Marche is a glorious region bordered by the rugged Appennine mountains and the Adriatic Sea. It is home to enchanting and historic towns such as Ancona, Urbino, Ascoli Piceno, Fabriano, Pesaro, Fano, San Leo, San Marino, Grotte di Frasassi, and Jesi, to name a few.

Our favorite places in Le Marche

Urbino: During the 15th Century, thanks to Duke Federico da Montefeltro, Urbino housed the second-largest library in Europe, second only to the Vatican, in the Palazzo Ducale, one of many places to visit in Urbino. I would fly to Italy just to see the Palazzo Ducale where the Duke lived and studied. It is “a monument to the high artistic and intellectual ideals of the Renaissance.“ Most of his collection has been moved to the Vatican for safekeeping and preservation. Only a few remain in the palazzo. The Duke’s library, or studiolo, is beautifully decorated with inlaid wood designs, some by Botticelli. The palazzo is also home to the Duke’s art collection including a portrait attributed to Raphael. Urbino’s famous son is indeed the painter Raphael whose early training was supported by the Duke. Federico was called, among the people, The Light of Italy due to his contributions to Italy’s cultural enlightenment during the Renaissance which included his patronage of young artists, poets and architects.