Macchie between forests, paths and history

Macchie between forest and fortress

Macchie is considered a mountainous settlement where hunting and forestry traditions are still alive. The name “Macchie” refers to the woodland growing densely around the fortress. If you value historical traces and natural surroundings equally, you will find several starting points here for an individually planned trip.

To Macchie via Amelia

The road to Macchie begins just outside the city of Amelia, directly behind the Roman bridge. The access road is considered scenically attractive and offers visitors pleasant views in close contact with nature. These different impressions can provide helpful guidance when choosing your accommodation: Macchie combines its connection to Amelia with a wooded, mountainous setting.

Fortress, local history and churches

Fragments of the walls, part of a tower and the vaulted entrance gate remain from the ancient castle of Macchie. In the past, the settlement bore the names “Castrum Machiae” and “Maclis”. Macchie was also part of Amelia’s possessions and supplied important stocks of timber. After its destruction in 1405, the municipality of Amelia intervened to reinforce 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.

On 6 December, the Church of San Nicola da Bari celebrates its patron saint. The parish church “St. Nicholas of Bari” was modernised in the 1930s, significantly altering its earlier architectural structures. The small church “Madonna del Colle” is also located near Macchie. These three points offer different perspectives on the settlement, although the existing buildings do not preserve the same historical condition.

Local traditions and time-specific festivals

The Comunità dei carbonari di Macchie di Amelia consists of men who formerly practised the craft of charcoal burning; this craft has now disappeared. The Bosco di Macchie programme on 19 May 2024 included a return to the centre of Macchie with a tasting of Polenta alla boscaiola. The polenta was regarded as famous and typical of the inhabitants of Macchie; a maximum of 100 people were admitted. The Festa del Boscaiolo took place in Macchie di Amelia as a popular festival from 21 August to 27 August 2017.

Hiking trails through the Amerino

The Sentiero 730 Macchie – Santa Restituta is 6.5 kilometres long and belongs to the Sentieri Amerini network. It begins in the settlement of Macchie and leads through the forests of the Amerino. The starting point of this trail is therefore directly in the settlement, while its route reflects the woodland character of the surroundings.

The Sentiero 728 Amelia – Macchie is 7.6 kilometres long. It leads from Lago Vecchio in the Rio Grande basin to Macchie, passes La Cavallerizza and uses unpaved paths through hilly terrain and holm-oak forests. The Sentiero 729 Amelia – Macchie – Lugnano connects Amelia, starting from Porta Romana, with Lugnano and passes through Macchie. The different starting points, lengths and surfaces can help you assess the routes for your own planning.

Macchie is also included in a described route for two-wheeled travel: on the MTB 13 mountain-bike route, the settlement is reached at kilometre 22 during the descent through the forest. This allows historical connections to the settlement, forest landscapes and different route characteristics to be considered side by side when preparing your trip.

For further orientation, you can also find Montecastrilli, Itieli, Montecchio, Morrano Nuovo, Papigno, Poggio Aquilone, Allerona and Montoro.

To the overarching travel overview: Terni.