Macerata is one of five provinces in the Le Marche region of central Italy. On its west border are the Sibillini mountains of the central Apennines (and beyond them Umbria), to the east is the Adriatic, to the north Ancona province, and to the south Fermo province. There are 57 comuni (municipalities) in the province with a total population of around 325.000, of which the homonymous municipality of Macerata is the largest (pop. approx. 43.000) and Acquacanina is the smallest (pop. approx. 120).

Statistics aside, its rich and diverse heritage and compelling culture are the reasons to come and visit - here's just a hint of what it has to offer:

• Sferisterio, magnificent 19th-century open-air arena hosting one of the world’s leading opera festivals (Macerata)
• Birthplace of one of Italy’s best-loved poets, Giacomo Leopardi (Recanati)
• Home to two of Europe’s oldest universities (Macerata, Camerino)
• Birth- and final resting place of one of the Augustinian order’s most revered mystic saints, San Nicola (Sant’Angelo in Pontano, Tolentino)
• Home of two of the finest remaining Roman amphitheatres/theatres outside Rome, and popular holiday destination in Roman times (Urbisaglia)
• Culinary home of two local classics: vincigrassi (Macerata’s version of lasagna), and brodetto (an Adriatic seafood soup speciality, with Porto Recanati boasting its own distinct recipe)
• Birthplace of the first Westerner to be invited to the Forbidden City, also author of the first-ever European-Chinese dictionary, Matteo Ricci (Macerata)
• Origin and sole source of the world’s only wine that goes through three fermentation cycles (Vernaccia di Serrapetrona)
• Rugged yet accessible mountains brushed by Italy’s cleanest air and haunted by its oldest legends
• Birthplace of 8-time Oscar winner, Dante Ferretti (Macerata)

This is already a long list, and it had to be cut down. There’s much more, not counting the personal stories and serendipitous discoveries that abound in this place.  Feel free to request more information through Macerata Monthly's email contact addresses.