MACERATA, THE FAITHFUL ALLY OF ROME AND THE POPES

The Marches town was for long the ally of the Pontifical State and the capital. Towns and villages with a rich history alternate with summer seaside resorts and spas throughout the Macerata territory.

History

The name Macerata derives from the ancient term "maceriae", describing the construction materials recovered from the ancient “Helvia Ricina” for the new town. At about the end of the IV century BC, all the territory was incorporated, under different titles, by the Roman state. In the I century BC, the first municipalities were created, whereas the economic and political crisis began in the second half of the I century AD. This crisis then became a relentless decay, starting from the V century AD, when the Goths, Longobards and Franks dominated. As from the middle of the XV century, the political and civil life of the Macerate towns was definitively submitted to the rule of the Pontifical State and took place mainly in the civil, social and economic sphere of the city of Rome. The Macerata province, with its present day borders, dates back to 1860.

The city  and its monuments

While the ancient centre was mostly built from the XVI to the XIX centuries, drawing solid richness from the land and cultural stimuli from Rome, the heart of the town is Piazza della Libertà, where you will find the Town-Hall, the elegant Merchants Loggia, the Prefecture Palazzo, and the Baroque church of Saint Paul. The University, one of the most ancient in the peninsula, stands near by. The XVIII century Rossi municipal theatre, the high Torre Maggiore (great tower) and the Clock tower are at the southern end of the piazza. The XVI century Mozzi and Rotelli Lazzaroni palazzos are in the nearby corso Matteotti, while the Artistic Museum is located in palazzo Ricci - it preserves the works of leading contemporary artists. In piazza Vittorio Veneto, the Civic Art Gallery and the Civic Museum deserve a visit - the museum contains archaeological finds from the Picene and Roman periods. The Ball Game Court or Spheristerion, is situated in the old town. It is a neo-classical building, the most beautiful in central Italy, and designed in its semi-elliptical shape by the architect Ireneo Oleandri. In its 167 years of history, it has been used for horse riding shows, roundabouts, equestrian circuses, tombola and, for several years now, also for operas.

The geographical area

There are many towns with a rich history and traditions in the territory of this Marches town\'s province, such as, Montecassiano, a town ringed by imposing walls, and Morrovalle with the Nativity Museum, Corridonia and Urbisaglia. But the Macerata province does not stop there. We should not forget tourist locations such as Porto Recanati, the birthplace of the poet and scholar Giacomo Leopardi, and spa locations such as Sarnano and Tolentino. There, the different types of water enable tourists to spend a relaxing holiday while taking care of their body.  Porto Recanati is an important fishing centre, but is also one of the region\'s towns most visited by tourists, thanks to its well equipped beaches. The town was founded by Federico II, who wanted a port near the Roman territory, and it is characterised by the castle erected to protect it against pirate raids.

Other cities nearby Macerata

Belforte del Chienti · Castelraimondo · Matelica · Tolentino · Treja · Civitanova Marche · Macerata · San Severino Marche · Camerino · Potenza Picena ·

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