Macerata Attractions

Apart from the towns along the Adriatic coast and Ascoli Piceno it is well worth visiting the provincial capital of Macerata (314m/1,036ft; pop. 44,000), which occupies a commanding situation on high ground between the rivers Chienti and Potenza. The central feature of the town is the Piazza della Libertà, in which are the Palazzo Comunale (statues of toga-clad figures and inscriptions from Helvia Ricina in courtyard), the Prefecture (in a 16th century Gonzaga palace), the beautiful Loggia dei Mercanti (16th century) and the Theatre. From the Piazza della Libertà the Corso della Repubblica leads to the Piazza Vittorio Veneto, with the Biblioteca Comunale, which contains the municipal collection of pictures (including works by the local painter Paganini, Carlo Crivelli, Allegretto Nuzi da Fabriano and Lanfranco). Also of interest are the cathedral and the Sferisterio Festival Theatre (theatrical and operatic productions). There is also a small university.