Macerata Feltria is a ''
comune'' (municipality) in the
Province of Pesaro e Urbino in the
Italian region
Marche
Marche ( , ) is one of the twenty regions of Italy. In English, the region is sometimes referred to as The Marches ( ). The region is located in the central area of the country, bordered by Emilia-Romagna and the republic of San Marino to the ...
, located about west of
Ancona and about southwest of
Pesaro
Pesaro () is a city and ''comune'' in the Italian region of Marche, capital of the Province of Pesaro e Urbino, on the Adriatic Sea. According to the 2011 census, its population was 95,011, making it the second most populous city in the Marche, ...
.
Macerata Feltria borders the following municipalities:
Lunano,
Monte Cerignone,
Montecopiolo,
Monte Grimano,
Piandimeleto,
Pietrarubbia,
Sassocorvaro Auditore.
History
During the
Roman Empire, Macerata Feltria was known as ''Pitinum Pisaurense''; it was a small town built in the place of an old Celtic village (in that area the
Senones Celts were settled). Its economy was based on the export of wood.
During the 6th century AD, Pitinum Pisaurense was completely destroyed by the
Ostrogoths during the
Gothic War (535-554).
After the year 1000 AD the village was rebuilt using the ruins of the old Pitinum Pisaurense; in facts, the name Macerata means "built with the ruins".
In the late
Middle Ages, the village was a fief of the
Malatesta family, as part of the
Papal States.
After the end of
World War II half the population emigrated, mainly to
Genoa.
In the village there is an archeological museum, exposing the evidences of the village history.
References
External links
Official website
Cities and towns in the Marche
{{Marche-geo-stub