The Camerino City Walls (town walls)

History of the Camerino City Walls

The first ring of walls dates back to the early Middle Ages. The perimeter remained essentially unchanged until the 14th century, despite the Swabian sack of 1259 and the earthquake of 1279. After that destruction the walls were rebuilt along the same line.

Later the circuit was extended to the southwest and Porta Malatesta was built. Later, once the need for defense had faded, people began to raise buildings on top of the walls and build new ones against them. The walls ended up almost entirely absorbed. The earthquake of 1799 brought down several sections, and the Porta di Filillo, now gone, was later demolished.

A legend links the walls to the patron saint, San Venanzio. During a siege by the Goths he is said to have appeared above the walls to fight alongside the people of Camerino.

What to see along the Camerino City Walls

The most striking feature is the Rocca Borgesca, also called the Rocca dei Borgia. It was built by Cesare Borgia in 1503, to a design by Ludovico Clodio, to control the town from the southwest side. Its cylindrical towers and keep are examples of early Renaissance military architecture.

Along the promenade of Viale Giacomo Leopardi, 13th-century towers absorbed into later houses can be recognized. The Porta Sancti Framus, now called the Arco di Vannucci, bears witness to the strength of the walls that enclosed the town's districts. The outer road toward Le Mosse runs over the remains of the old enclosures.

How to visit the Camerino City Walls

The walls are seen on foot, following the perimeter of the historic center. There is no single route, because the walls are largely incorporated into buildings: a visit consists of picking out towers and stretches of wall. Buildings and untended vegetation limit the view of the town for those arriving from outside.

The 2016 earthquake left Camerino with closed areas and construction sites. It is therefore worth asking in advance which parts of the historic center are accessible. Funding for strengthening the walls has been set aside in the public reconstruction plan of Le Marche.

Where the Camerino City Walls are located

The walls are in Camerino, in the province of Macerata, in Le Marche. The town occupies a hill in the middle of the province's mountain area, bounded to the south by the Sibillini massif and to the north by Monte San Vicino.

Near the Camerino City Walls

Near the walls stands the Basilica of San Venanzio in Camerino, an example of late Gothic architecture: the facade and bell tower are the parts that survived the earthquake of 1799 and the 19th-century rebuilding. The Palazzo Ducale, home to the university, was made unusable by the 2016 earthquake. The Museo Diocesano has reopened since the earthquake.

Outside Porta Boncompagni is the Church of Madonna delle Carceri. In Renacavata stands the Capuchin friary, where the order originated. Other ruins and ancient sites in the area are described on the page on archaeological sites in the Sibillini.