MACERATA | MARCHES

Discover Macerata

Macerata stands on a hill between the valleys of Chienti and Potenza and offers visitors a vast panoramic view.
The old town centre of Macerata has medieval origins and still retains some of its fourteenth century walls. The heart of ancient Macerata is Piazza della Libertà, where the Town Hall and Merchants’ Loggia are located.

Matelica is a town in the province of Macerata; it was once the most important industrial centre of the Papal States. Matelica has always been devoted to trade – a rich town but one with simple architecture. Places to visit are the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Piersanti Museum containing Filippo Piersanti’s important collection of artworks, the Teatro Comunale and the Archaeological Museum. While visiting Matelica, try a good verdicchio DOC wine. 
If you are interested in seeing the typical shapes of the ancient villages of  Le Marche’s inland areas, visit the San Ginesio Civic Art Gallery to see The Battle between the Ginesini and the Fermana, a painting by Nicola of Siena. The painting depicts San Ginesio under siege, showing the compact encircling form of the imposing walls, typical of villages in Le Marche. Extraordinarily well-preserved parts of the walls can be seen near Porta Picena and the S. Paolo hospital.
Not only is the centre of San Ginesio rich in history, but its environs too are full of towers, hermitages and monasteries. The Torre di Morro, for example, is a fourteenth-century tower that served as a watchtower in the defence of the San Ginesio territory. 8 km from San Ginesio is the Benedictine Abbey of Le Marche. On reaching the locality of Pian di Pieco, visit the Franciscan Monastery of S. Liberato set in beautiful scenery.
The town of Pian di Pieco is a wonderful location for paragliding and hang gliding, and has become one of the most popular destinations for enthusiasts of these sports. Sarnano is a mountain spa resort known for its rich tradition of food and wine. A characteristic of Sarnano is its brick buildings, which create a warm atmosphere for visitors as they walk around.

Sarnano, Piobbicco and Pizzo di Meta are three places we suggest for those who love nature and culture. Sarnano is also known as a ski resort due to the ski slopes of Sassotetto and Maddalena. Medieval buildings can also be found in this mountain environment, such as the Abbey of Santa Maria and San Biagio. The Ragnolo plains, where beautiful flowers bloom in the spring, can be reached by mountain bike, or go on foot as far as Pizza di Meta (1576 meters) where the panoramic view sweeps across three Regions: Le Marche, Abruzzo and  Emilia Romagna.
Between the sea and the mountains lies Treia, surrounded by olive trees. Its historical centre has preserved its medieval appearance to an extraordinary degree. In the centre of the village are the beautiful church bell towers of the various religious orders. Splendid villas are located in the environs of Treia: Villa Valcerasa, Villa Speranza Sala, Villa Votalarca with its garden filled with fountains, Villa Dolce Riposo, Villa la Quiete, Villa Valcampana and Villa Carnevali.