Macerata Feltria: Archaeology, Theatre and Local History

Several historical layers meet in Macerata Feltria: the Roman settlement of Pitinum Pisaurense, the Lombard-era Il Castello and buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries. You can plan your trip around a range of interests: archaeology, local and theatre history, the March fair or outdoor trails.

Roman history and archaeological evidence

The Museo civico archeologico e paleontologico di Macerata Feltria is housed in the 14th-century Palazzo del Podestà. A substantial part of the museum is devoted to Pitinum Pisaurense. The Roman town was inhabited from the late 3rd century BC and continued to exist at least until the 6th century AD. Eight exhibition rooms trace the ancient history of Montefeltro from prehistoric times to the Roman period. A visit to the museum thus connects the history of a specific settlement with a broader perspective in time and place.

The Area archeologica di Pitinum Pisaurense is located near the medieval Pieve di San Cassiano in Pitino. A broad Roman road paved with stone slabs has been preserved there and identified as the decumanus maximus. In the southern area are also the remains of a thermal building, with the suspensurae of the calidarium still visible. The road and building remains offer different insights into the Roman site: one highlights the route of a paved road, the other the construction of a thermal building.

Il Castello, the church and the theatre

Il Castello is the older fortified district of Macerata Feltria. It sits on a hill and dates back to the Lombard period. Another landmark in the town’s history is the Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo: it was built in the second half of the 19th century to replace the former parish church in Il Castello. These details point to different phases of the town’s history without conflating them into a single period of construction.

The Teatro Angelo Battelli can also be placed in context with specific dates. It was inaugurated on 26 September 1932 and reopened to the public on 23 September 2001 following extensive restoration. Its auditorium is horseshoe-shaped and has three tiers with a total of 56 boxes. The shape of the auditorium and the number of boxes give the theatre its own architectural character; the reopening is part of its more recent history. The Museo della Radio is located in a hall in the former Convento di San Francesco.

Markets, exercise and thermal history

The Antica Fiera di San Giuseppe takes place in Macerata Feltria on the third weekend of March. The event includes food stalls offering piadina, porchetta, and local salumi and formaggi. If you are planning to visit the fair, check the specific event dates before your trip. This lets you make a seasonal event a deliberate part of your stay.

There are two outdoor exercise options, described in different ways. Just outside town, a fitness trail starts in San Gaspare; it runs along the Apsa on the right and the lake on the left, continuing as far as the sports facilities. The route should be checked on site. The Parco fluviale delle Terme also has fitness and exercise trails along the thermal centre. The descriptions therefore cover both a trail with a specified route and trails associated with the river park and the thermal centre.

Pitinum Thermae is temporarily closed. The thermal spa’s facilities include a thermal pool with hydromassage and treatments based on sulphur water. These include inhalation therapy, mud baths, dermatological and gynaecological treatments, as well as insufflations for childhood deafness. The closure is an important distinction when choosing a destination: thermal history is part of the town, but a visit to the spa should not currently be planned.

Discover more destinations: Apecchio, Montesecco, Lunano, Montesoffio, Cagli, Piobbico, Gradara, Città Di Castello.

For the wider travel overview: Pesaro - Urbino.