THE TOWN
The town of Camerino, with about 7,500 inhabitants today, is located 661
meters above sea level, on the dorsal that separates the valley of
Chienti from that of Potenza, in the heart of Marche. Of pre-roman
origin the town has played an important political and ecclesiastical
role through the centuries reaching a notable level of economic and
civil development. The wealth of monuments and the vivacity of
university life, that pulsates there for almost 700 years, make Camerino
a significant center of culture and art.
HISTORY
Ancient settlements of the Umbris Camerti, Camerino (from Kamars, rock)
in 309 AD stipulated an 'aequum foedus', treatment among equals, with
Rome; during the empire period as a commune and then as a colony, it had
its own magistrates. The Diocese dates back to the 5th century and till
this day is the most extensive Diocese in the region of Marche despite
the reductions through the centuries. In the age of the Longobards,
Camerino was the capital of a dukedom and in the period of the Franks it
was the capital of Marche. It started early on to have a communal life
and in 1259 it was destroyed by the army of Manfredi for its adhesion to
the papacy. The da Varano family were the protagonists in the recovery
and development of Camerino making it the major town in Marche. They
established a government of nobles e remained in power as dukes until
1539 having promoted a splendid age of culture and economic growth. The
passage of Camerino, its State and Dukedom, to the papal state, didn't
eliminate its cultural vocation: the number of academies and scholastic
institutions multiplied, and buildings and works of art continued to
embellish the city.
NATURE
Thanks to its geographical position, the town of Camerino enjoys a
healthy climate with cold winters and warm dry summers. It borders the
National Park of the Sibylline Mountains and is in the proximity of
other places of great environmental and naturalistic interest, such as
the natural reserve of Torricchio, owned by the university, the regional
Park of Colfiorito and the Caves of Frasassi. Being next to the ski
slopes of the Sibylline mountain range (Mount Vettore 2476 mt.), and, at
the same time only 45 minutes from the beaches of the Adriatic sea,
Camerino enables one to be in contact with nature in every season.
TOWN LIFE Theatrical and musical programs, concerts, cinema, museums and
cultural events, as well as the human dimension of the places all offer
interesting opportunities to the visitor and the student.
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