A wide and complete survey on stage design and theatrical heritage of the Marches region in central Italy,which, in the XIXth century, with a population of less than a million, had 113 functioning theatres. Following an historical essay on architectural design of theatres since classical age until XIXth century the book shows and explains 70 detailed records on now existing historical buildings in the Marches, most of them still preserving original stage machines and decorations realised between XVIIIth and XIXth century. The study also talks about famous scenic artists of the Baroque era, like Nicola Sabbatini from Pesaro, who first treatises perspective stage theory in Europe, or like Giacomo Torelli from Fano, the "grand sourcier" of the "scene mobili" at the court of Louis XIV, "Le Roi Soleil". Several colour pictures, plans and old engravings enrich this book, needful for every historian.