Art History and Museum's

Le Marche has a history that goes back to Roman times and beyond, is the

birthplace of the renaissance and home to many art treasures. Many are now

housed in museum's in the main towns, such as the following:

Jesi – The Pinacoteca Comunale in Palazzo Pianetti. An over the top Roccoco

palace are outstanding treasures are a handful of pictures by Lorenzo Lotto, the

Venetian painter who spent much of his working life in the Marches.

Ancona – You will find the best collection of the Marche’s archeological heritage at the Museo Nazionale Archeologico.

Also at Ancona – are paintings by Crivelli, Titian, Andrea del Sarto and Il Pomarancio and works by outstanding Marche painters such as Barocci and Guerrieri.

Urbino – The Palazzo Ducale is home to some outstanding Italian renaissance art, including two of Piero della Francesca’s finest pictures and a superb portrait by Raphael, in the spectacular setting of the Ducal Palace. The palace also houses a fascinating archeological collection of Roman artefacts. Best of all it now boasts extended opening times – 9am to 7pm Tues-Sun, and 9am to 2pm Mondays.

Raphael’s House, also in Urbino, has been preserved much as it was when he was born here in 1483. But you will only find one work, with a dodgy attribution, that might have been by the young artist – a fresco of the Madonna.

Ascoli Piceno – Art gallery has a good collection of works by painters who lived and worked in this part of the Marche (including Crivelli) but also works of Titian, Tintoretto, Guido Reni and Guercino.

Recanti-Visit the home and library of one of Italy's famous poets Giacomo Leopardi http://www.giacomoleopardi.it/  and a beautiful city. Villa Colloredo-Mels, on the edge of town, houses a small collection of Lorenzo Lotto’s finest pictures including the haunting Annunciation.

Pesaro – the Museo Civico has two delights: a beautiful altarpiece by Bellini and a remarkable collection of painted Renaissance ceramics. Also in Pesaro is the house where Rossini was born with a growing collection of memorabilia

Loreto – The basilica and museum of the Holy House, as well as plenty on the

traditions of Loreto, also has some pictures by Lorenzo Lotto – the artist spent

his last years here.

San Severino – In the Pinacoteca Civica are some sparkling pictures by the

Salimbeni brothers, the Marche’s under-appreciated early Renaissance painters.

Macerata – The Museo del Risorgimento is the best in the region dedicated to

the Unification of Italy.

Urbisaglia Archaeology Museum: Roman artefacts found at nearby Urbisaglia; Open 10-12.30 and 15-18.30 every day (from 20/06 al 15/09); 10-12.30 e 15-17.30 solo festivi (dal 16/09 al 19/06).

Abbadia di Fiastra the museum of rural life at the same place (0733202122)

Basilica of Saint Nicola of Tolentino; Open 9-12 and 15-19 Works of art, the crib museum, the ceramics and the architecture.

Camerino History museum with bronzes, art, ceramics etc. Open 10-13 and 16-19 (from April to Sept); 10-13 and 15-18 (from Oct- Mar) – closed Mondays.

Camerino Museum of Natural Science at Camerino University (Piazza Cavour, Palazzo Ducale). Plantlife, fossils and bottled animals (to go with your pasta). Open 8-14 from Mon-Fri, 14.30-17.30 Tuesday and Thursday.

Camerino Civic Art Gallery open 10-13 and 16-19 (from Apr- Sept); 10-13 and 15-18 (from Oct-Mar) – closed Mondays. Renaissance art and a large emphasis on the 18th & 19th Centuries.

Sarnano Museum; Museum of local wildlife, armourments, art and a hammer collection Open 9-12.30 e 16-18.30 from Monday to Thursday and 9-12.30 Friday; also 9-12.30 e 16-19 Saturday & Sunday (from15/07 to15/09 and national holidays)

Castello Della Rancia Museum,Tolentino; armourments & archaeological

museum: Open 10-13 and 15-19, closed Monday (from 15/3 to 15/10); 10-13 and 15-18;

Saturdays, Sundays and feast days (from 16/10 to 14/3)

Fabriano – The town was one of the great centres for the International Gothic

style of 14th century painting and the Pinacoteca Comunale has some good examples.

None however by the town’s greatest master, Gentile da Fabriano. City also is know for paper making and creating the first water mark process. http://www.museodellacarta.com/

Castelfidardo – The Museo Internazionale della Fisarmonica is dedicated to the accordion.