Macerata, Historic town in Marche region, Italy
Macerata is a comune in the Province of Macerata in the Marche region of central Italy. The town spreads across a hill between the Potenza and Chienti rivers, surrounded by fields and gentle slopes extending in all directions.
The settlement emerged in the 10th century after the nearby Roman town of Helvia Recina was destroyed by Visigoths in 408. Over time, it became a regional trading center that gained urban privileges during the late medieval period.
The town takes its name from the maceriae, medieval fortified walls still visible in sections of the old center. Local festivals fill the squares with music and theater during summer months, while residents gather in the cafés around Piazza della Libertà.
The historic core is walkable and most points of interest lie close together. The town hosts a university founded in 1290, and its buildings are scattered across the center.
The Loggia dei Mercanti, built between 1485 and 1491, displays columns and arches that recall the trading traditions of the town. The Sferisterio, a neoclassical amphitheater from 1820, hosts open-air opera performances during the summer season.
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