Muccia: Churches, Mills and Historic Traces
Accommodation in Muccia
Muccia can be explored as a destination through several specific themes: sacred buildings, traces of historic settlements and named hiking destinations. Particularly interesting is the connection between architectural history and the landscape and river features of the upper Chienti. If you are looking for a hotel in Muccia, these themes can help you decide what you would like to focus on during your stay: churches and architectural history, a hike, or a festival on a particular date.
Churches and a long local history
The Santuario della Madonna di Col de’ Venti stands on the ridge of Monte di Muccia at an altitude of 750 metres. The present-day church was built in 1894. Following severe damage in the 2016 earthquake, the sanctuary remains unusable. If you are considering a visit, check its restoration status before your trip.
Villa La Maddalena was built in its present form in the first half of the 17th century on an older settlement site. The complex includes the church of Santa Maria Maddalena, whose walls are fully decorated. The archaeological plateau of Maddalena di Muccia shows evidence of use over a long period. Different periods therefore sit side by side in Maddalena: the plateau’s long history of use and the clearly dated construction phase of the villa on an older settlement site.
Il Mulino Da Varano is also one of Muccia’s historic landmarks and has been documented since 1502. Its former location was where the waters of the River Chienti came back together near Muccia’s town walls. The Archaeological Museum “Muccia: antico crocevia dell’Appennino” is housed in the Chiesa di Santa Maria di Varano. The church itself has an octagonal ground plan and was built near Muccia by the Varano, the lords of Camerino. It houses significant works by Andrea de Magistris. “Octagonal” describes the shape of the ground plan; the artworks add another facet to the history of the architecture.
Landscape and hiking destinations
The Torre, also known as Torraccia, is near Massaprofoglio at an altitude of 808 metres. From the Torraccia, you can look out over the upper Chienti Valley, which is largely covered by natural forests and where a remnant of Mediterranean maquis stands out. The landscape thus combines extensive woodland with a distinctive remnant of Mediterranean vegetation. The elevation and the explicitly named viewpoint are also useful reference points for finding your way around the area.
A Via Lauretana hike starts at the Santuario del Beato Rizzerio di Muccia and follows the River Chienti to Muccia. Check current route conditions before setting out. Massaprofoglio is also the starting point for a hike up Monte Massa. The Chiesa di Sant’Andrea in Massaprofoglio was probably built in the 12th or 13th century. Another historic trace is the Castello di Prefoglio: the medieval fortification probably dates from the 13th century, and some ruins are still visible today.
Festivals and planning your visit
The Antica Fiera della Maddalena is held annually on the Sunday closest to 23 July, in the hamlet of Maddalena in Muccia. Confirm the date for the relevant year when planning your trip. The Festa sui prati in LocalitĂ Bivio Maddalena features food stalls, traditional games and plenty of music; check the dates and programme before your trip. These events can give your visit a different focus from churches, historic sites or hiking destinations. If a particular festival is important to your stay, plan around its confirmed date.
Discover more destinations: Pievebovigliana, Trebbio, Esanatoglia, Pioraco, Macerata, Santo Stefano, Capriglia, Monte San Martino.
Return to the main travel overview: Macerata.
