The Marche region remains today one of Italy’s most undervalued from a tourist perspective, often associated mainly with summer holidays and the towns along the Adriatic coast. Yet, a move inland reveals a wealth of castles, noble villas, historic gardens, and residences that deserve a visit in any season.
And it is precisely to enhance this wealth, still little known, that The Network of Historic Dwellings and Parks of Marche is born, a project that brings together 34 assets distributed across the region’s five provinces.
The New Network of Historic Dwellings and Parks in Marche
The initiative, promoted by the Marche Region and coordinated by the Fondazione Marche Cultura, is launched with the aim of enhancing a historic, architectural and landscape heritage that often risks being left out of traditional tourist circuits. The project implements the regional law of 23 November 2021, number 30, and aims to create a system capable of linking historic dwellings, castles, villas, parks and gardens, involving owners, institutions, associations and local communities. Currently, 34 properties are accredited: 11 are located in the province of Macerata, 8 in that of Fermo, 7 in the province of Ancona, 6 in Ascoli Piceno and 2 in Pesaro e Urbino.
Among the most interesting innovations for visitors is planned the creation of a dedicated section on the regional institutional portal, in the Culture Area. Here there will be a georeferenced map through which to explore the participating places, consult photographs, historical information, guidance for visits and links to their respective official sites. A sort of digital guide, then, designed to help travelers discover even the lesser-known corners of Marche and build customized cultural itineraries.
Which Castles, Villas and Historic Gardens Are Part of It
Among the 34 accredited properties are some of the most fascinating places in Marche’s heritage. One of these is ilp, an imposing medieval fortress surrounded by the Macerata countryside, which still today preserves its characteristic fortified appearance.
In Macerata there is Palazzo Buonaccorsi, elegant 18th-century residence that houses the Civic Museums, while in Jesi there is Palazzo Pianetti Tesei, one of the city’s most representative historic buildings.
Moving to the Pesaro and Urbino area, among the estates involved is the Castello dei Conti Oliva of Piandimeleto. In Pesaro there is also Villa Miralfiore, while in the Fermano area one encounters Villa Vitali and its park, as well as the Parco di Villa Baruchello in Porto Sant’Elpidio.
There are places immersed in greenery, such as the Parco Colle Celeste in Maiolati Spontini and the Parco storico di Villa La Quiete in Treia. Among the accredited sites also appears the Borgo Storico Seghetti Panichi in Castel di Lama, in the province of Ascoli Piceno.
