The city of the Da Varano
On a ridge between the valleys of the Chienti and Potenza rivers, at about 660 metres, at the foot of the Monti Sibillini, Camerino is an ancient town of art and culture, which from the thirteenth to the sixteenth century was the capital of a small but rich and refined state ruled by the Da Varano family, lords who were patrons of the arts and who made the town a centre of the Renaissance in the Marche, with its own school of painting, the "Scuola camerinese", with artists such as Giovanni Boccati and Girolamo di Giovanni. The University of Camerino, founded in 1336, is one of the oldest in Italy and still gives the town a young, lively atmosphere.
The Palazzo Ducale of the Da Varano, one of the largest Renaissance residences in the Marche, with a beautiful courtyard, became the seat of the university. Among the other monuments are the cathedral, the Rocca dei Borgia, built by Cesare Borgia after conquering the town in 1502, and the botanical garden of the university. In October 2016, the strong earthquake that struck central Italy seriously damaged Camerino: much of the historic centre was declared a "red zone", closed and evacuated for years, and the inhabitants and students had to move to temporary buildings. Since then, a long and complex reconstruction has been under way, with the progressive reopening of streets, buildings and monuments, and the town is slowly returning to life. Visiting Camerino today also means witnessing the resilience of the communities of the Apennines.
Tip: check which parts of the centre are open before you go; the university organises guided tours of the reconstruction.
Where it is
More things to see in Marche
Where to stay near Camerino
Tours and activities nearby
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