Things to Do in Marche

Perched sternly above the medieval town of Gradara, this 12th-century castle is the setting of Dante’s love story of Paolo and Francesca—and the site remains storybook-ready, with its drawbridge and crenelated watchtower. Visit for an idea of what life might have been like during the Middle Ages, and savor the views from the ramparts.

The small mountain town of Macerata is home to one of the most unique outdoor venues in Italy: the Sferisterio, a neoclassical stadium built at the beginning of the 19th century to host matches ofpallone col bracciale, Italy’s most popular sport for more than 500 years. Today, the stadium hosts the Sferisterio Opera Festival.