Lazy Guide to the
Most Important Macerata Sights
Piazza della Libertà is the central square in Macerata, and a slow stroll around the square reveals some of the most important Macerata sights.
Macerata is a bustling medieval hilltown in Le Marche with a hiking paradise and a popular seaside round the corner. But few tourists have discovered this well kept secret.
Macerata is only a short drive away from Urbino. In charm and beauty it measures up to the popular hilltowns in Tuscany and Umbria. And there’s a hiking paradise and a popular seaside round the corner in Sibillini Mountains and Senigallia. Yet there are virtually no foreign tourists in this provincial capital. So even if Macerata is a bustling city with a population 43.000 it still qualifies as undiscovered Marche.
The medieval city is contained within well-preserved city walls, where steep inclines combined with narrow, cobble stoned alleys keep most motorized traffic out. This means you can stroll around the centre without constantly watching your back.
Photos of some of the buildings surrounding Piazza della Libertà
Clock Tower Marking Worldly Events
One of the nice places to linger is Piazza della Libertà. This is the city centre with the town hall and the Torre Civica with bells that marks worldly events in contrast to church towers. In Medieval times civic clock towers were also used to display the wealth of the citizens and the municipal government, so they are generally quite good looking.
Take a Look Inside
Apart from the clock tower the buildings surrounding the square may seem a bit anonymous, but don’t be deceived by exteriors. The recently renovated theatre Lauro Rossi is magnificent. And if you enter the courtyard of the Palazzo del Comune you’ll see archeological remains from a Roman town named Helvia Ricina, which was destroyed by the Goths.
Modern Sculptures
The town Macerata is extremely fond of modern, thought provoking sculptures like the tortoise carrying a world upon its shield or being shielded from the world – an echo of the turtles in Piazza Santa Maria in Florence – and a naked man being pushed or supported by a child. Everything is open for interpretation.
Everywhere in Macerata, there are modern sculptures.
Loggia dei Mercanti
Finally, there’s the Renaissance gem Loggia dei Mercanti stucked away in a corner. This fine 16th century building consists of two floors with an open gallery made up of rounded arches on columns and completed by a pillar at the corner. It was designed by Giuliano da Maiano, who also left a strong mark on Florence.
When you have finished looking for the inscription dedicated to Pope Paul III, who lived in this house in Macerata as a Papal Legate before he became Pope, you might continue down Corso Giacomo Matteotti for some contemporary window shopping. A step from past to present I always find extremely enjoyable.
More on Le Marche
The musical attractions of Pesaro
Tomato’s ball or the artificial sun of Pesaro
I visited Macerata on a special occasion: the wedding of a friend.
I have always seen “le Marche” as a quiet place. A region where enjoying the past without crowds of turists.
My point exactly – but the quietness never ceases to amaze me considering the attractions.
I’ve never heard of the place but would be happy to go. Especially since you used the word hiking.
I’m sure you’d love it (Most people do:)
What a lovely and charming town! Love all the architecture and how it’s so uncrowded -definitely hidden gems.
I was driving through Le Marche a few years ago with a fellow travel journo and we stopped in Macerata, more or less by accident – somewhere to have lunch. What I remember most was a church, rather anonymous from the outside, but with an absolutely stunning chapel inside. Santa Maria della Misericordia I think it was called. Just beautiful.
Never thought of entering the churches, although Macerata is a pious town and famous for a true miracle – something about God proving his existence by raining blood.
I’ve never heard of this place – looks delightful.
Trust me – it is:)