The Marche 

In the Middle Ages, the present-day national borders did not yet exist. The Holy Roman Empire comprised parts of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the eastern territories of France, central and northern Italy, Austria and the Czech Republic. The outer borders were called Marks. In Germany, for example, there is also the Mark Brandenburg, the former border of the Empire to the east. The border of the empire to the south ran at that time in what are now the Marches. These were the Marches "Marca Fermana", "Marca Camerinese" and "Marca Anconitana" - today only "The Marches" - in Italian "Le Marche".

Le Marche is a region in central Italy, located on the Adriatic Sea. It borders Emilia-Romagna to the north, Tuscany and Umbria to the west and Lazio and Abruzzo to the south. The river Tronto is the natural border. The capital of the Marche is Ancona, a busy port city.
The region has a good 1.6 million inhabitants. They are called Marchegiani.
The Marche region is characterised by its varied landscape. In the east, the Adriatic coast stretches for about 180 km, with kilometres of sandy beaches and picturesque seaside resorts such as Senigallia or Porto Recanati. Inland, you will find rolling hills, fertile valleys and picturesque mountain landscapes. The Sibillini Mountains are a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers. In winter, the elevations above 2400 m are popular ski resorts. The highest mountain is Monte Vettore at 2476.
The relatively narrow coastal plain soon rises abruptly to the heights of the Apennine Mountains, which form the border with Tuscany and Umbria. The 13 river valleys that criss-cross the landscape give the Marche its characteristic character.

The Marches have a rich cultural history. Numerous medieval villages and towns characterise the countryside, including Urbino, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace of the famous painter Raphael. Urbino is known for its Renaissance architecture and ancient university. Another city worth visiting is Ascoli Piceno with its charming historic centre and beautiful squares.
 
The people of the Marche, they are called Marchigiani, are hospitable and proud of their traditions. There are numerous events and festivals celebrating the regional culture, such as the "Palio dell'Assunta" in Fermo or the "Rossini Opera Festival" in Pesaro, dedicated to the famous composer Gioachino Rossini. In Macerata, opera festivals are held in the summer.

The Marche is also known for its culinary specialities. The regional cuisine is based on fresh ingredients such as fish, seafood, meat, vegetables and legumes. Particularly famous are the "Olive all'Ascolana", olives stuffed with meat and served deep-fried. The Marche is a renowned wine-growing area and produces high-quality wines such as Verdicchio and Rosso Conero.

• 8 Popes, the most famous being Sisto V. And Pio iX.
• Saint Nicola da Tolentino
• Emperor Frederick II
• Commander Federico da Montefeltro
• Painter Raffaele Sanzio
• Poet Giacomo Leopardi
• Master of the Opera Buffa Gioachino Rossini
• Composer G.B- Pergolesi
• Specialist teacher Maria Montessori
• Roberto Mancini, football player, striker and head coach of the Italian national team