Things to do in Matelica: ten stops
This is a selection of ten stops, not a ranking. The first seven are in the old town, a few minutes on foot from each other. The last three are just outside: Braccano, Monte San Vicino and the Frasassi Caves.
One thing up front: since the 2016 earthquakes, not every interior is open. Some buildings can only be seen from the outside, and for others you should ask locally for visiting hours. Where it matters, you will find a note. Prices are in euros (2026 rates).
On the square: where to start
The first three stops cost nothing and you see them on foot.
1. Piazza Enrico Mattei
This is the heart of the old town and the easiest place to start. The fountain, Palazzo Ottoni, the loggia, the Palazzo del Governo and the Torre Civica surround the square. The old town has a ZTL (restricted traffic zone), and its exact rules should be checked. Parking is at Piazzale L. Gerani, Via Tiratori and Via Tinte.
Getting there →2. The fountain
An octagonal fountain of white stone with four figures of sea deities. It is a historic monument, not a place to drink.
3. Palazzo Ottoni and the loggia
The Renaissance palace dates from 1472. It has a courtyard at the back, and a raised connection to the family's other property has survived. The loggia is from the early 1500s. Both are best enjoyed from the outside, so check at the tourist office whether the interiors are open.
Our picks: things to do
Wine in Matelica, the caves at Genga and a cooking class in Fabriano.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Pasta and tiramisu class at a local home near Fabriano
A class on two types of pasta and tiramisu, then you eat what you cooked, with an aperitivo, water, wine and coffee. The exact address is given after booking.
Check availability →
Verdicchio di Matelica tasting with a cellar visit
A guided cellar visit and a tasting of three wines with grissini or taralli. Further glasses beyond the tasting are not included.
Check availability →
Frasassi Caves guided tour with entry ticket
A guide, parking, entry to the main halls and the shuttle from the car park to the cave entrance. The Valadier Temple (Madonna di Frasassi sanctuary) is not included.
Check availability →Tours and day trips in the Marche
Wine tastings, the Frasassi Caves and trips to the hill towns, with live prices and availability.
Palaces, theater, cathedral and museum
Access to the interiors changes from stop to stop.
4. Palazzo del Governo and Torre Civica
The Palazzo del Governo, also called the Palazzo dei Pretori, and the Torre Civica form a single ensemble on the main square. Enjoy the facade from the square; for a view from above, choose Monte San Vicino.
5. Teatro Piermarini and the Roman baths
The Teatro Comunale Giuseppe Piermarini was designed around 1805 and opened in 1812. Archaeological remains of Roman baths lie beneath it. According to the municipality, a visit to the theater and the baths is free, daily from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., on request at the tourist office (IAT) at Borgo Nazario Sauro 44, phone +39 0737 685684. It is not an open-door visit, so ask first. Performance tickets are sold separately.
6. Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
The cathedral stands near the square, and its historic bell tower is built into the facade. Ask at the tourist office for visiting hours and whether it is fully open. If the door is closed, the exterior is still worth the stop.
7. Museo Piersanti
At Via Umberto I 11. It is a house museum with a picture gallery, decorative arts and archaeological finds, reopened on 21 December 2025 after the earthquake restoration. Entry is free according to the municipality. It is open Thursday to Sunday, but the two sources differ: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the municipality, 10 a.m. to noon and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the museum. For a guided visit, call +39 379 3395976.
Museo Piersanti →
Just outside the old town
Three places you reach by car or on an excursion.
8. Braccano
Braccano is a village (frazione) of Matelica, with wall paintings. The road to the Gola di Jana starts here: trail 168 goes to Roti along the Sentiero Francescano, and trail 168A leads to the gorge. For buses to the villages, ask at the tourist office.
9. Monte San Vicino
The mountain is part of the Riserva Naturale Regionale del Monte San Vicino e del Monte Canfaito and is about 1,480 m high. Trail 112A starts at the Prati di San Vicino: about 45 minutes uphill, 300 m of climbing, grade E, and about 35 minutes down. These figures come from a trail sheet of 2017, so check for snow, mud and works before you go. Open fires are forbidden outside equipped areas, and if you see a fire, call 112.
Monte San Vicino →10. Frasassi Caves
The caves are in Genga, in the province of Ancona, about 20 km and 20 minutes from Matelica (a rough figure). A full ticket costs €20, ages 15 to 25 and over 65 pay €18, children 6 to 14 pay €14, and under 6 is free (2026 prices). The tourist route takes about 75 minutes at around 14 °C. The shuttle from the parking lot at San Vittore delle Chiuse is included.
Frasassi Caves →Outside or inside: what to expect
A summary of interior access for the old town stops.
| Stop | Seen from outside | Interior |
|---|---|---|
| Square and fountain | Yes | – |
| Palazzo Ottoni and loggia | Yes | Ask locally about access |
| Palazzo del Governo and Torre Civica | Yes | Enjoy it from the square |
| Theater and Roman baths | Yes | Free on request at the IAT |
| Cathedral | Yes | Ask locally for hours |
| Museo Piersanti | Yes | Thursday to Sunday, free entry |
For more places in the area, see towns near Matelica, and for day trips see tours around Matelica.
Things to do in Matelica: frequently asked questions
How long does the old town take?
The old town is small and you walk it. If you want to see the theater and the museum without hurrying, allow about half a day. Each of the three places outside the center takes a day or a good part of one.
What is free?
The square and the walk through the old town. According to the municipality, entry to the Museo Piersanti and the visit to the theater and the Roman baths are free too, the latter on request. The Frasassi Caves cost money: €20 for a full ticket (2026 price).
Is the cathedral open?
Ask at the tourist office for visiting hours and whether it is fully open. See the exterior and the bell tower, and go in if you find the door open. The rest of your walk does not depend on it.
Can I climb the Torre Civica?
Plan on seeing the tower from the square. For a view from above, choose Monte San Vicino.
Are there guided visits?
For the Museo Piersanti you can ask for a guided visit on +39 379 3395976. In summer the tourist office has offered guided walks through the old town, with dates and prices that change each year, so ask the IAT on +39 0737 685684.