If you have read my previous post on Palazzo Donati, you know how much I loved staying there. Continuing my experience, let us experience Italia in the town of Mercatello sul Metauro in Le Marche.
Experience Italia: Mercatello sul Metauro
Mercatello sul Metauro is situated in the Eastern Italian region of Le Marche. The village is centered around Piazza Garibaldi and dates to the 12th century BC. Mercatello is a really picturesque place surrounded by the mountains and the river Metauro running flowing on the side. Boasting a population of only 1,500, it is a tiny little village with 3 supermarkets, many quaint stores and Bars…There are endless characteristic streets and gorgeous churches to take a peek in.
Currently, Mercatello’s theatre is in restoration as it was destroyed during years ago in an earthquake.
The Historic Centre of Mercatello sul Metauro
Visiting Mercatello is a great way to experience life in small town Italy.
What to See in Mercatello sul Metauro
1. Piazza Garibaldi: If you visit Mercatello for a short or a long stay, you can’t miss the main square i.e. Piazza Garibaldi. This is where everything begins and ends. Piazza Garibaldi is a gorgeous square with Franco’s Bar, a local butcher’s shop and plenty of stores for you to wander around in. You will see locals before 1 p.m and after 4 p.m. Piazza Garibaldi is the hub for everything and on the weekends there are markets where farmers get fresh produce from around the area.
2. Pieve Collegiata: Your next stop should be Pieve Collegiata -a church with sacred objects and furnishing from the time of Romanesque-Byzantine. Pieve Collegiata is stunning inside out and is located on Piazza Garibaldi. The bell tower of this church was shattered in an earthquake and was made again later. The church is really worth a stop!
3. Chiesa e Museo di San Francesco: Built in 1235, the Church of San Francesco is another stop for you in Mercatello. This church was made both in Romanesque and Gothic styles and has sculpted interiors from sand stones. There are paintings from around the 14th-17th century. Inside the church is the museum of San Francesco that is opened only on request.
Ask a local to get it opened if you are there, there are guides available in English, Italian and German.
4. Centro Storico: The centro storico is almost the entire town itself! The medieval village atmosphere is extremely charming and dreamy. There are no dearth of pretty streets that will make you want to settle in Mercatello.
An empty street in Mercatello sul Metauro
Mercatello sul Metauro
Metauro Bridge
Apart from these, Mercatello has many other places of interest such as the Church of Santa Croce, Stefani Palace, Ducal Palace etc. that you can see if you have time in hand.
This tiny village is probably what your soul needs!!
Conclusion
All in all, Mercatello left a lasting impression on me. So much so that by the end of the trip, everyone in the town knew me as “Indiana” -the “Indian girl” who had visited. Everyone at Franco’s Bar knew who I was and after a while, I felt as if I was part of their little town! If you’re visiting Northern Le Marche, consider a visit to this borgo.
How to Reach Mercatello sul Metauro
The best way to reach Mercatello is by car. The nearest train stations to Mercatello are Pesaro and Arezzo. There are options to take buses from Urbino!!
Further Reading:
- Happy Birthday! But Why Italy??
- Muggia- A Precious Italian Port Town in Friuli Venezia Giulia
- Leaning Tower of Pisa and Views from Above
- Handy Tips for a Venetian Trip
- A Historic Ride on the Opicina Tram in Trieste
17 Comments
Castello della Pieve in Le Marche – Italophilia
June 5, 2020 at 9:04 pm[…] the tiniest of villages with little or no population. Only a few kilometers from the small town of Mercatello sul Metauro in Northern Le Marche is this mysterious […]
Anu
April 27, 2019 at 3:07 pmLovely to see people actually sitting and relaxing in a small town & not just running to click pictures.
Italophilia
April 27, 2019 at 4:01 pmThat;s the best part about Italy- they live in the moment.
Manja Mexi Movie
June 3, 2018 at 12:13 amWhat a happy post and town and ladies and fruit and those chairs in the macelleria! You are right, the little towns are where it’s at. It’s just that I’m not nearly as chatty as you and prefer to be left in peace. But you can do that too, easily. 🙂
Ishita
June 3, 2018 at 12:15 amI really hope you can visit someday! Thank you 😊😊 my partner says the same.
bravenora1993
May 28, 2018 at 1:01 amYou visited lots of interesting places and Italy has many beautiful regions☺
Ishita
May 28, 2018 at 10:06 amThank you! There’s always so much choice where to visit in Italy
Tony Staffaroni
May 10, 2018 at 6:24 pmThe more I see, the more I love this town! That centro storico is incredible! It’s amazing to me that I cannot imagine living in small town America, but I feel as though I could live in small town Italy in a heartbeat!
Ishita
May 10, 2018 at 6:25 pmRight?? Even though it could get boring but the small aspects of living in Italy actually excite me too. The corruption doesn’t 😉
Bespoke Traveler
May 8, 2018 at 6:40 amThe architecture is always intriguing in Italy, but I’m with you! The secret love in Italy is the coffee. There’s nothing like it in flavor, aroma, or beauty.
Ishita
May 8, 2018 at 9:24 am💖💖 truly is. This was such a different place from the outside, and exceptionally modern inside!
Experience Italia: Mercatello sul Metauro in Le Marche | ravenhawks' magazine
May 5, 2018 at 12:22 am[…] via Experience Italia: Mercatello sul Metauro in Le Marche — Italophilia […]
Ishita
May 5, 2018 at 2:57 pmThank you for sharing!
a mindful traveler
May 4, 2018 at 5:12 pmOh you were right…I do love this one. Such a quaint town and that bridge is just beautiful. Xx
Ishita
May 5, 2018 at 2:56 pmIsn’t it 😍😍 thank you!
karenincalabria
May 3, 2018 at 11:48 pmNice little town. I’ve so often wanted to snap a photo of locals doing what they do, but I don’t have the chutzpah to ask.
Ishita
May 3, 2018 at 11:50 pmHaha I was so hesitant, Karen. I confirmed twice from Luisa, but those ladies were fun to click to!! And mildly amused!