What is Macerata known for?

The 100-meter neoclassical open-air arena built in 1823, the only such structure in Italy and the seat of the Macerata Opera Festival every July and August. Founded in 1290 and recognized by Niccolò IV, one of the oldest continuously operating universities in Europe, with roughly 11,000 students today. Works by Carlo Crivelli and Lorenzo Lotto hang in the Musei Civici and in churches across the centro storico, from a strong fifteenth and sixteenth-century Marche school.

Macerata is a comune in the province of Macerata, Marche region of Italy, about 52 kilometers from Ancona.

Marche · Macerata

Macerata

The provincial capitalbetween the Chienti and Potenza, home to Italy's oldest university and the Sferisterio open-air opera arena.

52 km / 32 mi

Nearest hub (Ancona)

40,496

Population

Apr–Oct

Best time to visit

Recognised as

Città della Terra Cruda

Why come

Macerata sitson a hilltop between the Chienti and Potenza valleys, thirty-five kilometers south of Ancona. The Roman Helvia Recina stood on the plain below; after the city was destroyed by the Goths the survivors moved up to the present site, where the town grew into the provincial capital. The University, founded in 1290, is one of the oldest in continuous operation in Europe. The Sferisterio, the city's signature monument, is a 100-meter neoclassical arena designed by Ireneo Aleandri in 1823, originally built for pallone col bracciale, the bracelet-ball game once played across central Italy. From 1921, when Verdi's Aida was first staged there, it became one of Italy's principal open-air opera venues. The Macerata Opera Festival runs through July and August. The provincial museum holds works by Carlo Crivelli, Lorenzo Lotto and Antonio Canova. The 2016 earthquakes damaged outlying frazioni but the centro storico held.

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Gallery

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Known for

Sferisterio
Neoclassical 100-meter open-air arena designed by Ireneo Aleandri in 1823, originally built for pallone col bracciale, now seat of the Macerata Opera Festival since 1921.
Università di Macerata
Founded in 1290, one of the oldest continuously operating universities in Europe, with its main rectorate on Piazza della Libertà.
Piazza della Libertà
Main square of the centro storico, holds the Loggia dei Mercanti, the Palazzo del Comune and the Torre dei Tempi with its astronomical clock.
Musei Civici di Palazzo Buonaccorsi
Civic museums in an eighteenth-century palazzo, with the Pinacoteca, the Museo della Carrozza and the Galleria Eneide of Persio Flacco.
Duomo di Macerata
Eighteenth-century cathedral with an unfinished brick facade, holds the relics of San Giuliano, patron saint of the city.
Helvia Recina
Remains of the Roman city on the plain below the centro storico, with the foundations of a theater destroyed by the Goths and abandoned in the sixth century.

When to visit

Best months · Apr–Oct

Best
Hot or crowded
Quiet
Mostly closed

April through June and September into October are the best months for Macerata. The Chienti and Potenza valleys hold green from April, the centro storico runs cool in the morning and the surrounding hills toward Montelupone and Treia are open for walking. July and August anchor the Macerata Opera Festival at the Sferisterio, with three major productions across roughly six weeks; nights stay warm but the open arena keeps moving air. Daytime temperatures touch the high thirties in August; the polished travertine of Piazza della Libertà reflects heat through the afternoon. November through March is cooler and quieter, with the university in full session, the Musei Civici open on the winter schedule and the cathedral lit through Advent.