What is Camerino known for?

Family that ruled Camerino from 1259 to 1539, one of the longest signorie in central Italy, with a Renaissance palazzo by Baccio Pontelli. Founded 1336, papally recognized 1727, one of Italy's oldest universities still in operation, with around 7,000 students. The 30 October shock destroyed the central square buildings; the university kept operating from temporary quarters while restoration runs.

Camerino is a comune in the province of Macerata, Marche region of Italy, about 80 kilometers from Perugia.

Marche · Macerata

Camerino

A university city at 661 meters on the ridge between the Chienti and Potenza, Da Varano capital from 1259 to 1539, rebuilding after 2016.

661m

Elevation

80 km / 50 mi

Nearest hub (Perugia)

6,150

Population

May–Oct

Best time to visit

Recognised as

Why come

Camerino sits at 661 meters on a long ridge between the Chienti and Potenza valleys in the Marche Apennines, sixty-four kilometers from Ancona. The Da Varano family ruled here from the second half of the thirteenth century until 1539 and turned the town into one of the Marche's smaller Renaissance courts, with a Palazzo Ducale completed by Baccio Pontelli on the model of Federico da Montefeltro's palace in Urbino. The University, founded in 1336 and recognized by the Pope in 1727, is among Italy's oldest still in operation. In 1503 Alessandro VI Borgia ordered the Rocca Borgesca, designed by Lodovico Clodio, connected underground to the Palazzo Ducale and armed with forty-two cannon. The Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata stands on the Piazza Cavour with the Palazzo Comunale. The 30 October 2016 earthquake damaged most of the centro storico, the cathedral and the Da Varano palazzi; the university kept operating from temporary quarters, the central square is still partly closed.

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Gallery

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Known for

Palazzo Ducale Da Varano
Completed in 1499 by Baccio Pontelli for Giulio Cesare Da Varano, on the model of Federico da Montefeltro's palace in Urbino, now part of the University.
Rocca Borgesca
Built 1503 by Lodovico Clodio for Alessandro VI Borgia, connected underground to the Palazzo Ducale, armed with forty-two cannon when complete.
Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata
Cathedral on Piazza Cavour, damaged by the 2016 earthquake, still in partial restoration; the Diocesan Museum holds artworks displaced from the nave.
Università di Camerino
Founded 1336, recognized by the Pope 1727, one of the oldest continuous universities in Italy, with seats across the Da Varano palazzi.
Piazza Cavour
Main square of the centro storico, with the Palazzo Comunale, the cathedral and the Da Varano statue at the center.

When to visit

Best months · May–Oct

Best
Hot or crowded
Quiet
Mostly closed

May through October is the working window for Camerino. The ridge holds long views to the Sibillini in spring and clears the surrounding hardwood forests into the high summer evenings. July and August stay cool at 661 meters; the university breaks and the festival weeks of the Corsa alla Spada and the Festa di San Venanzio fill the centro storico. November through April is cold and quiet, with snow on the surrounding ridges, reconstruction sites visible across the city, and the university running its winter term from temporary buildings on the outskirts. The Diocesan Museum and the Palazzo Ducale rooms are open year-round during restoration.