Macerata is a town and provincial capital in the Marche region of Italy.

Sites

The centro storico is located on a hill between the Chiente and Potenza rivers. Together with the modern town, sprawling on the plain below, it has a population of about 41,000. There is a lift (elevator) connecting the two towns. It is solid but unostentatious, being built between the 1600s and 1900s. In the central Piazza della Libertà there is the Loggia dei Mercanti with two-tier arcades dating from the Renaissance.

There are a number of striking pallazzi, mostly along Corso Matteoti. Next to the Loggia dei Mercanti, Corso della Rupubblica leads to Piazza Vittorio Veneto where, in the Palazzo Ricci, there is a museum and art gallery - a must-see is the Madonna and Child by Carlo Crivelli. Another museum is the Museo delle Carrozze (carriages).

the cathedral dates form the 1100s.

There is a University (founded in 1540) and an Art school, and therefore, Jazz clubs and the like.

Opera Festival

In July there is an Opera festival held in the 7,000 seat Sferisterio amphitheatre - a huge neoclassical arena erected in the 1820s as a stadium for some kind of handball game. The orchestra pit is so wide that musicians at each end cannot hear each other. The monument “Alla Vittoria” at its gates, dates from fascist times.

Some operas may be held in the theatre, built by Antonio Bibiena in 1767, and dedicated to the musician Lauro Rossi who was born in the town.

Nearby

Just north of the town, at the Villa Potenza, lie the remains of ancient Helvia Ricina, a Roman settlement destroyed by the Visigoths.

Some way south of the town is the Romanesque church of San Claudio al Chienti - its unusual shape is due to one church being built on top of the remains of another.

Etc.

The mathematician Matteo Ricci (1552 to 1610) was born in Macerata.

The feast-day of the local saint (Giuliano) is on 31 August. You can try the local food and wine (very good, of course)!

External links

• Macerata Opera