Macchie: Castle Remains, Woodland Traditions and Walking Trails

Macchie brings together surviving remains of an ancient castle, church history, woodland traditions and walking trails. If you are considering the town as a travel destination, you may wonder whether historical traces or paths through the Amerino landscape are more important for your stay. These different themes can help you decide whether Macchie is right for your trip.

Macchie between woodland and history

The road to Macchie begins just outside the town of Amelia, right beyond the Roman bridge. It is considered scenic and offers visitors pleasant views, bringing them into close contact with nature. The town’s name also refers to the landscape: “Macchie” describes the dense woodland growing around the fortress. Macchie is considered a mountain settlement where hunting and forestry traditions are still alive.

Fragments of the walls, part of a tower and the vaulted entrance gate remain from the ancient castle. Macchie was formerly known as “Castrum Machiae” and “Maclis,” belonged to Amelia and supplied important timber reserves. After the settlement was destroyed in 1405, the municipality of Amelia intervened to strengthen Macchie’s defensive walls. In the 16th century, the castle was attacked and devastated by Blaxino degli Atti of Montecampano and Aloisio Liviani of Alviano. The surviving structures thus stand alongside a turbulent local history.

The churches also offer a reason to learn more about Macchie’s history. The parish church of St. Nicholas of Bari was modernized in the 1930s, greatly altering its earlier architectural features. The church of San Nicola da Bari celebrates its patron saint on 6 December. The small church of Madonna del Colle is also located near the town.

Walking trails with different starting points

The Sentiero 730 Macchie – Santa Restituta is a 6.5-kilometre walking trail in the Sentieri Amerini network. It starts in Macchie and passes through the woodlands of the Amerino. Another option is the Sentiero 728 Amelia – Macchie: this 7.6-kilometre trail runs from Lago Vecchio in the Rio Grande basin to Macchie. Along the way, it passes La Cavallerizza and follows unpaved paths through hilly terrain and holm oak woods. Comparing the distances is only one consideration: trail 730 starts in Macchie, while trail 728 leads to the town from the direction of Amelia.

The Sentiero 729 Amelia – Macchie – Lugnano connects Amelia, starting at Porta Romana, with Lugnano and passes through Macchie. Before setting out on trails 728 and 729, check local trail conditions. Macchie is also reached by MTB route MTB 13, at kilometre 22, during the descent through the woods. As surface conditions can change, check them before setting out.

Woodland crafts and local traditions

The Comunità dei carbonari di Macchie di Amelia consists of men who once practised the craft of charcoal burning, an occupation that has now disappeared. Charcoal burning is therefore part of the town’s inherited woodland and working history, while hunting and forestry traditions are considered to remain alive.

Polenta alla boscaiola is also associated with local tradition. The programme for Bosco di Macchie on 19 May 2024 included a return to the town centre and a tasting of polenta alla boscaiola, considered famous and typical in Macchie. A maximum of 100 people were allowed for this edition. This information refers to the 2024 programme; if you are planning to attend a possible future edition, first check whether and when it will take place.

Discover more destinations: Guardea, Fornole, Borgaria, Toscolano, Ficulle, Monterivoso, Baschi, Collicello.

For the broader travel overview: Terni.