The capital of Le Marche and its largest port, Ancona dates back to at least the 5th century B.C., when it was settled by Greek exilex from Siracusa.
Its name derives from ankon (Greek for elbow), a reference to the rocky spur that juts into the sea to form the town's fine natural harbour.
Heavy bombing during World War II, however destroyed much of the medieval town.
The 15th-century Loggia dei Mercanti on Via della Loggia survives as a monument to the town's medieval heyday.
Just north of the loggia is the Romanesque church of Santa Maria della Piazza, with a lovely facade.
The nearby Pinacoteca Comunale F.Podesti e Galleria d'Arte Moderna includes canvases by Titian, Lorenzo Lotto and Carlo Crivelli, among others.
In the Museo archeologico Nazionale delle Marche, the town's best museum, there are displayed of Greek, Gallic and Roman art and artefacts.
The Arco di Traiano is one of italy's better preserved Roman arches.