It is a municipality in the province of Macerata, located on top of a hill and surrounded by lush vegetation, between the valleys of Chieti and Potenza. Thanks to the geographical location on the Apennine ridge, Camerino has secured a prime location, difficult to reach and easy to defend, which has always favored it over the centuries. The city still retains a prominent original urban structure and is characterized by steep slopes of the terrain, with deep overhangs and beautiful views of the surrounding valleys.
Evidence of relics and monuments attest that the area was inhabited since prehistoric times and was colonized by the Romans, who bestowed citizenship to its inhabitants. Dissolved the Roman Empire, it was conquered by the Lombards and in the late VI century, became part of the Duchy of Spoleto, assuming great political, religious and military importance. Berengar of Ivrea, King of Italy, in the X century, ordered the construction of strong fortified walls. In the XII century, the small city was proclaimed municipality and during the course of the XIV century until the mid XVII century, it submitted the domain of the Da Varano Family, who had a new circle of walls built to strengthen the fortifications. In 1545, when the Papal States took over, the center submitted a period of slow decline, which became even worse under the rule of the Napoleonic government.
Not to miss:
- the Cathedral, designed by Vici and Folchi and rebuilt in the early XIX century, to replace the pre-existing Romanesque-Gothic church destroyed in 1799. Inside is preserved a XIII century wooden crucifix, a XV century statue of the Madonna and several masterpieces of the XV and XVII centuries. In the crypt are preserved two XIII century stone statues of lions, attributed to Pioraco, two busts by Bernini's pupils and a XIV century ark of marble entitled to Sant'Ansovino;
- the Church of San Venanzio, almost completely rebuilt in the mid XIX century, after an earthquake of 1799. It presents an imposing façade, unfinished, in late-neo Classical style, which incorporates a XIV century Gothic portal, preceded by a majestic porch with a pediment;
- the church of Santa Maria in Via, built in the mid-XVII century where once stood a pre-existing building. Within it preserves Baroque style features;
- the Archbishop's Palace, dating from the second half of the XVI century. On the first floor, it houses the Diocesan Museum, that among other exhibits, contains paintings, wooden sculptures, silver ornaments, vestments and an XVIII century Madonna by Tiepolo;
- the XIV century Convent of Santa Chiara, which was partially dismantled during the end of the next century, by Giulio Cesare Da Varano;
- the XIII century Church of San Francesco, which is beautifully painted. Today seat of an Archeological Museum and preserves Greek and Roman artefacts;
- the Palazzo Ducale is a Renaissance-style building built at different times and finished in the XV century. To the original structure, restored in the XIV century, a quadrangular structure, with a breezy porch with arches was added at the end of the next century. It is now home to the University;
- the XVI century Temple of the Annunciation built by the Duke Giovanni Maria Da Varano. Today it houses the State Archive;
- the Teatro Ducale, which was built in the mid XIX century to replace an existing building destroyed by an earthquake in 1799;
- the Fortress is an impressive building erected by Cesare Borgia in 1503;
- Porta Malatesta, also known as Porta San Giacomo, built in the Middle Ages in Renaissance style;
- Porta Caterina Cibo;
- Porta Boncompagni;
- the XVIII century Building of the Exposition;
- the XVII century Palazzo Riccioni;
- Palazzo Battibocca;
- Palazzo Corsidoni;
- Palazzo Parisani;
- the Castle of Beldiletto, built between the XIV and XV centuries;
- the XIV century Castle of Capriglia;
- the Castle Cornacuna in Fiordimonte;
- the Rocca of Sentino;
- the Rocca of Varano.