A census of castles in the Marches region gives 33 "rocche", 106 castles, 15 fortresses, 170 towers, almost more in number than the communes of the region. The crowded fortified landscape is explained by the borderline position of the region, for many centuries surrounded by strong monarchies, bordering to the south the Kingdom of Naples and the State of the Church, and to the north and west a number of independent states and the powerful Austrian dominions.
Almost all these castles are in great condition and well kept, thanks also to the hard-working character of the population, based for centuries on a sound small-size industry economy, and their deep love of culture and history.
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