Varano Fortress in Camerino

History of the Varano Fortress

The fortress began in the early 12th century as the fortified residence of the noble Da Varano family. In the 14th century it was turned into a defensive fortress. It thus became part of the defensive system of the State of Camerino, a network of strongholds within sight of one another that guarded its borders.

The position also had economic value. The feudal lords charged tolls to those crossing the Apennines from Rome to the Adriatic and back. For the lordship, the fortress was therefore a real source of income.

With the end of the duchy of Camerino, the building was saved from decay because it was turned into a farmhouse. It then passed to the Apostolic Chamber, to the Bandini family and finally to the town of Camerino. From 1997 the association "Arti e Mestieri" opened it to the public as a permanent exhibition center for artistic crafts. The fortress has also hosted conferences, exhibitions and events.

After the 2016 earthquake the long recovery process began. The Marche Region approved a contribution of €750,000 toward a project of about €850,000. The work, which began in summer 2025, ended with the reopening in October 2026.

What to see at the Varano Fortress

The most recognizable feature is the main tower. It is 19 meters tall and rises from 450.40 to 469.40 m above sea level. The masonry still shows traces of a second defensive wall, with the ravelin topped by the guard tower and a ditch with a drawbridge on the west side. The cut for the drawbridge, the only one made in the rock, is still visible.

The outer walls alternate courses of limestone and sandstone. Both types of rock are found on site.

The fortress is appreciated above all for its view. It opens onto the peaks of the Apennines, the Chienti valley and the San Luca stream. The area has little light pollution, and the fortress is part of the "Rocche celesti" project of the Unione Montana Marca di Camerino. It is also a meeting point for events and historical reenactments.

After the restoration, the fortress hosts a historical and tourist route with information panels, QR codes, augmented reality content and period reconstruction furnishings, as well as an exhibition room.

How to visit the Varano Fortress

Since the reopening in October 2026, the interior can also be visited along the new route, which has braille panels and a stair lift. For visiting days and arrangements, check with the town of Camerino. Contact details are in the page's information box.

The fortress hosts events. At the end of September 2026 it welcomed visitors to the Festival dell'Appennino and the Festa nazionale del PleinAir.

From the parking area the walk is short. A paved road starts from the hamlet and, in about 10 minutes of easy walking on a gentle climb, leads to the main facade. It is best to choose a day of fine weather, because the view is the main reason for the climb.

Where the Varano Fortress is located

The Varano Fortress is in the locality of Sfercia, in the municipality of Camerino, in the province of Macerata. It is south of the historic center. It can be seen from afar along the SS 77 expressway. The exit to reach it is the one after Caccamo, toward Camerino.

The car is left a few hundred meters before the fortress, in the hamlet of Varano, and the rest is on foot along the paved road. The route passes between stone houses and then through a small wood. The main tower is 19 meters tall and dominates the area, so the fortress is easy to recognize.

Around the Varano Fortress

Camerino preserves many traces of the Da Varano. The Palazzo Ducale dei Da Varano, now the registered office of the University of Camerino, has been unsafe since the 2016 earthquake and cannot be visited. Many areas of the historic center are still closed and many buildings unsafe. It is therefore worth checking which routes are open before visiting.

The Orto Botanico "Carmela Cortini", the botanical garden run by the University of Camerino, lies outside the city walls along the perimeter of the Ducal Palace of Camerino. It was founded in 1828. Nearby is also Castelraimondo, a medieval village badly hit by the earthquake.

For other fortifications in the area, see the page on castles and fortresses of the Sibillini.