A provincia is one of the administrative levels of government in Italy, sitting between the region and the comune. If you buy or live in a home in Italy, you’ll often encounter the provincial name in addresses, documents, and local references.
Role and Decline of the Province
Provinces once managed local infrastructure, roads, schools, and planning. Over the years, however, their powers have been reduced, and much of the administration has shifted to regions and comuni. There have even been political debates about abolishing provinces altogether, though they still exist for now.
Province Codes
Each province is identified by a two-letter code. These codes:
- Appeared on old Italian license plates.
- Are still used in postal addresses, placed after the town name.
If you are dealing with property or residency in Le Marche, you’ll come across five provinces:
- Pesaro e Urbino (PU) – Capital: Pesaro.
- Ancona (AN) – Capital: Ancona, also the region’s largest port.
- Macerata (MC) – Capital: Macerata.
- Fermo (FM) – Capital: Fermo, the youngest province (established in 2009).
- Ascoli Piceno (AP) – Capital: Ascoli Piceno.
What Provinces Represent
A province usually includes:
- A main city (often sharing the same name).
- Dozens or even hundreds of surrounding comuni.
These comuni are often tied by shared heritage, dialects, and customs—although local differences can still be strong.
✅ Key takeaway:
Provinces in Italy today are less powerful than they used to be, but they remain important for identity, geography, and everyday paperwork.
🌐 Useful link: Official list of Italian provinces (Wikipedia)