Seaport (pop., 2001: 100,402), capital of the Marche region, central Italy.
Founded by colonists from Syracuse с 390 BC, it was taken by Rome in the 2nd century BC. It became a flourishing port particularly favoured by Trajan , who enlarged the harbour. It was attached to the Holy Roman Empire in the 12th century; in the 16th century it came under papal protection, which was largely maintained until Ancona became part of Italy in 1861. It underwent severe bombing in World War II, but many notable Roman and medieval landmarks survive.