On the way around Macerata Feltria in the northern part of Le Marche and looking for the road to Carpegna I saw a brown sign – which means something historical. So I turned the car and got back to have a closer look.
What we found was an archaeological site with apparently Roman walls and a medieval church.
The place is called Pitinum Pisaurense, an ancient Roman village along a Roman road. It is dated to the 3rd century BC.
The church beside, Pieve di San Cassiano in Pitino, was built around the year 1.000 AD on an old Pagan temple dedicated to Saturn. For the building of the now Christian church they used parts of the village that was undiscovered in the years 1995-97.
The inside of the church was restored in 2006 and could be seen. But unfortunately the day we were there all was closed. Maybe it was the time (noon, March) as well.
The archaeological site is showing maybe a Roman thermal bath. Mosaics, coins, ceramics and much more was found here and can be seen today in the Civic Museum of Macerata Feltria.
We saw also a few tombs. They are from different ages and some are placed in the yard of the church and some are just along the church walls. I read something about a woman with a child, the only one buried here. It looked like there were never been children here (or at least not dying).
We had a short walk also around the church. We could not see really inside. In some windows I saw a lot of material for restoration and stairs were leading to the tower. Unfortunately all closed. I think there would be a wonderful view on the valley from above.
Not seen too much but anyway very interesting. And it shows me that it is still the best way to explore the world: stopping by when there seems something that could be some ancient place or anything intriguing.
Do you do so? Or are you going straight to the place you programmed before?
Macerata Feltria, Le Marche/Italy:
For further information:
Montefeltro Tourism website
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