Ancona

Ancona is one of the five provinces of the Le Marche region, and the region’s capital. One of the main ports on the Adriatic Sea, it is a hub for strong commercial shipping and passenger traffic. It’s located on a coastal tip of Italy resembling an elbow, a location that’s a busy thoroughfare for visitors from Greece and Croatia.

One of the main sights is Ancona Cathedral, the Cathedral of San Ciriaco, dedicated to Judas Cyriacus, for whom the Catholic Church celebrate Feast Day on 4th May. This grand cathedral, which sits on Monte Guasco, boasts a gorgeous view. Its 11th-century Roman architecture looks out onto Ancona’s city and surrounding countryside. The city also hosts the magnificent Lazzaretto of Ancona (Mole Vanvitelliana), a theatre built by Augustus, which was used as a place of study and practice for young gladiators.

There is also some incredible Roman architecture. The 2nd-century Roman Traiano Arch lies in the city’s harbour on the Eastern side. The emperor Trajan aided the early development of Ancona and rebuilt the port, which contributed to making the city a lot safer. As such, the arch was built in tribute to him. The arch is 14-metres high, constructed of Greek marble and is considered the symbol of Ancona itself. It is also a replica of the Arch of Titus in Rome, but taller.

On the west side you will find the town’s marina with fishing boats and yachts. Tourists arriving by boat can have a seafood lunch here then head to Piazza del Plebiscito, where you can walk over cobbled streets and visit one of the many coloured buildings housing bars and restaurants.

Anconian food is outstanding. The city is one of the biggest importers of dried salt cod. Sausages are also hugely popular. Perhaps the most well-known is ciauscolo, which is made of pork, pork fat, orange peel, fennel seed and plenty of seasoning. The region is also celebrated for its cheese and you can enjoy Casciotta d’Urbino and Cacio La Forma di Limone (balls of sheep’s milk cheese made with lemons).

The city was built on two hills overlooking the harbour. An Ancient Roman amphitheatre lies in this spot and you can explore the ruins. From here, you cannot miss the Calamo Fountain, also known as Fountain of the 13 Pipes. Legend has it, if you drink the delicious spring water you are guaranteed to return to Ancona.

It is not know for being a conventional tourist city. People normally choose the nearby Rimini and San Marino for their visits or holiday destinations.

Ancona train station runs regular high speed trains to Milan, Turin and Venice, as well as overnight trains to Rome.The nearest airport, Marche/Ancona is 17km outside of the city and offers flights to London, Munich and Tirana, amongst others.