Calcinelli: Roman traces along the Metauro

Calcinelli combines the history of Roman roads with architectural history and archaeological finds, as well as activities along the Metauro.

Location on the Metauro and Roman traces

Calcinelli lies on the old Via Flaminia, on the plain at the edge of the hills on the left bank of the Metauro. The Ponte di Calcinelli spans the Metauro between Calcinelli and Montemaggiore. It is also the starting point of the hiking trail “Il F. Metauro da Calcinelli a Tavernelle”.

From Forum Sempronii, the Via Flaminia led after eight miles to the Mutatio “Ad octavo” in Calcinelli. In the village of Posta Vecchia, the Mutatio Ad Octavo, a resting station for travelers and horses, was probably located there from Roman times onward. The associated structures are no longer visible. The eight miles place Ad octavo on the Via Flaminia, while the Mutatio, as a resting station for travelers and horses, reveals another aspect of Roman transport: a stopping point along the way.

Three Roman mosaic fragments found in Calcinelli are displayed in the sacristy of the former Chiesa del Gonfalone in Saltara. The permanent exhibition, which opened in 2020 in the former sacristy, includes mosaics depicting hunting and animal scenes. These probably belonged to the floor of a room in a Roman villa.

The Chapel of the Guardian Angel dates from the 19th century and preserves part of Calcinelli’s appearance before 1960. As a distinct historical layer, it complements the Roman road and mosaic themes with a connection to the village’s earlier appearance.

La Valorosa and the hiking trail along the Metauro

The historic cycling event La Valorosa starts in Calcinelli every July. It passes through the municipalities of Saltara, Cartoceto, Serrungarina and Monte Maggiore al Metauro, as well as through the Metauro Valley. The tour features bicycles and clothing in the style of bygone eras; the route also includes sections on unpaved roads. If you would like to plan your trip around the event, check the date of that year’s edition.

The hiking trail “Il F. Metauro da Calcinelli a Tavernelle” is about 5.5 km long and is entirely on foot. It is passable only when water levels are low in summer. Along the route, aquatic animals, water plants, riverside woodland and geologically interesting features are among the natural history subjects to observe. When planning, therefore, the approximate distance is not the only consideration; above all, the low-water condition matters. Check the water level before setting out. The trail combines observations of nature along the water with views of the riverbank and its geology. The relevant seasonal consideration differs from that for La Valorosa: there, the annual July date matters; here, it is low water in summer.

Discover more destinations: Fermignano, Casinina, Case Bruciate, Piandimeleto, San Michele, San Lorenzo In Campo, Bargni, Piagge

For the overview of the wider area: Pesaro - Urbino.