Via della Carta from Camerino to Pioraco: Route, Difficulty and Map

The Route of the Via della Carta

From Camerino the route first descends toward the Madonna delle Carceri and the locality of Calvie. The road then crosses the countryside to Seppio and, after the church of Fonte Venere, reaches Pioraco. The last sections follow narrow, little-traveled back roads.

The route can also be walked in reverse. From Pioraco it descends from the historic center along via Camellaria, past the church of the Santissimo Crocifisso, and continues on back roads to Seppio and Camerino.

The history of the route explains its name. In the centuries of the pilgrimage to Loreto, with the technological, financial and commercial support of Camerino, dozens of fulling mills sprang up in Pioraco to produce carta bambagina (cotton-rag paper). In medieval times a road linked Pioraco to the ancient Porta Angelesca gate of Camerino by way of Seppio. In Pioraco papermaking is documented as early as 1364 and is still active.

Via della Carta Technical Data

The route is linear, not a loop. The length is about 12.5 km and the difficulty is E.

The elevation difference depends on the direction of travel. Starting from Camerino, the total ascent is 464 m and the descent 632 m. Starting from Pioraco, the figures are reversed. Elevations along the route range from about 354 m to about 628 m.

Near the start there are two parking lots: Piazzale della Vittoria, about 128 m from the starting point of the route, and another about 340 m away. Along the way, drinking water points, picnic tables, a picnic area and a shelter are marked. It is still advisable to bring enough water and supplies and to check the weather before setting out.

Points of Interest Along the Via della Carta

The trail mainly touches religious buildings, both in Camerino and along the road. On the route are the Church of San Filippo Neri, the Temple of San Francesco, the Church of Santissima Annunziata in Camerino, the Seminary church, the church of San Venanzio Piccolo (also called the Oratorio di San Venanzetto) and the Church of Santa Caterina. Outside the city are the church of the Madonna delle Carceri and several votive shrines.

In Seppio, a hamlet of Pioraco, the parish church of Santa Maria delle Lacrime houses an Enthroned Madonna and Child painted in 1466 by Giovanni Boccati. In the same hamlet is the rural church of Fonte Venere.

In Pioraco, the oratory of the Santissimo Crocifisso, in Lombard Gothic style, is worth a stop. It holds a Crucifix attributed to Girolamo di Giovanni. The panel by Luca Signorelli once kept here is now in the Diocesan Museum of Camerino. The town is also home to the Museo della carta e della filigrana (Museum of Paper and Watermarks), dedicated to the papermaking tradition that gave the trail its name. The Ponte Marmone, a Roman bridge, is another sight.

More walking ideas in the area are on the page on Sibillini Mountains hiking.