Discover Calcinelli on the Metauro

Calcinelli lies along the ancient Via Flaminia on the plain at the edge of the hill country, on the left bank of the Metauro. Its location combines a riverside landscape with Roman transport routes and activities that can be enjoyed in very different ways. The historic cycling event La Valorosa starts here, while the hiking trail “Il F. Metauro da Calcinelli a Tavernelle” begins at the Ponte di Calcinelli. This makes it a place where culture, landscape and outdoor activity are closely connected with the Metauro and its history.

The Via Flaminia and traces of antiquity

The Ponte di Calcinelli spans the Metauro between Calcinelli and Montemaggiore. In the hamlet of Posta Vecchia in Calcinelli, the Mutatio Ad Octavo, a rest station for travellers and horses, probably existed from Roman times onwards. The Via Flaminia is also part of this historical context: after eight miles, it ran from Forum Sempronii to the Mutatio “Ad octavo” in Calcinelli. The river crossing, ancient road and rest station provide a clear historical framework for understanding the area.

Mosaics and the Chapel of the Guardian Angel

The 19th-century Chapel of the Guardian Angel preserves part of Calcinelli’s appearance before 1960. To see the Roman mosaics, head to Saltara: three mosaic fragments found in Calcinelli were placed in the sacristy of the former Chiesa del Gonfalone. In 2020, the Sala MOS opened in this former sacristy. The mosaics displayed there included, among other things, depictions of hunting and animal scenes that probably belonged to the floor of a room in a Roman villa.

La Valorosa: Cycling with a historic character

The historic cycling event La Valorosa, held every year in July, starts in Calcinelli and passes through the municipalities of Saltara, Cartoceto, Serrungarina and Monte Maggiore al Metauro. It is a historic cycle tour featuring bicycles and clothing in the style of bygone eras. The route passes through the Metauro Valley and also includes sections on unpaved roads. If you would like to plan your trip around this special event, July is the relevant time of year. The focus is not only on cycling, but also on the tour’s historic presentation.

Walking along the Metauro

The hiking trail “Il F. Metauro da Calcinelli a Tavernelle”, which is completed entirely on foot, begins at the Ponte di Calcinelli and is approximately 5.5 km long. It can only be walked during the low water levels of summer. Along the route, it is possible to observe aquatic animals and water plants, as well as riverside woodland and geologically interesting features. The trail therefore offers a distinctly natural-history perspective on the Metauro and a different way of experiencing the area from the historic cycle tour.

Which accommodation suits your travel plans

When choosing a hotel or other accommodation in Calcinelli, you can therefore first decide what you personally would like to focus on. Those interested in culture can explore the Via Flaminia, Mutatio Ad Octavo, the mosaics and the Chapel of the Guardian Angel. For active days, there is La Valorosa, held in July, while the hiking trail focuses on observing the riverbank and nature. This allows you to shape your stay in Calcinelli around history, cycling or the landscape without mixing these interests together.

More places for planning your trip: Cuccurano, Villagrande, Fenile, Casinina, Gallo, Serra Sant'abbondio, Monteguiduccio, Petriano

For the broader travel overview: Pesaro - Urbino.