Founded by Picentes some 2700 years ago, the small town in Macerata province witnessed all the tribes and nations that moved around the Italian land.
After Picentes were the Romans, after Romans came Longobards, it was a part of Byzantine Empire and the independent commune untill the Signoria of Ottoni family in Medieval times.
an old part of Chiesa San Francesco
The heart of the town is piazza which is named after the 20th century businessman Enrico Mattei, but the square is as old as the town itself. Around the square there are the historical buildings from all the centuries: torre Civica from 1175, palazzo del Governo from 13th century, 15th century palazzo dei conti Ottoni ( medieval rulers of the area) , loggia dei Mercanti from 16th century and younger constructions like Baroque church of the Suffrage. The life goes around the octagonal fountain located in the middle of the square. The old custom says that every person, who came around the fountain seven times is entitled to ‘patente da Mattu’ – a license for being insane. Today of rather funny inclinations the license was given in the past to broken merchants, who declared loudly their bancruptcy while running around the fountain.
Several minutes of walking from the square there is a building of the most important museum in Marche, which was founded by brothers Piersanti in 18th century and exhibits art objects and curiosities from all over the world.
Jet the most impressive, and most mysterious object is on display in the Archaeological Museum in Palazzo Fineguerra. This is 30 cm in diameter orb of white marble with signs and letters of Greek alphabet. Although found in Matelica, the orb was made in Ancient Greece and serving as the instrument for various astronomical and astrological calculations.
With the centuries Matelica overgrown in number of churches, which today are generally opened for visitors from 8 till 19.
The church of St.Francis features 13th century walls and Renaissance frescoes by the school of Giotto depicting life of the saint.
The town has also its own blessed, Mattia ( Nazzarei ) who is buried under the medieval altar in the homonymous church.
The local tradition is connected with the venerable Crucifix of wood preserved in church of St.Phillip. Every three years during the procession the cross is carried around Matelica, resting for one night in each of the local churches.
In 19th century the town commissioned the design of the new theatre to Giuseppe Piermarini, the architect of famous La Scala from Milan. The 19th century building is the main artistic stage in Matelica.
In the neighbourhood one can find several agricultural farms with accommodation and horses for rides in the green hills of Macerata.
When you happened to be around do not forget to taste the local wine Verdicchio doc di Matelica considered to be among the best wines of Marche.
[photo courtesy of Marco Ferracuti]
