Macerata: the name itself says it, built with rubble, reclaimed material. A quiet ancient city in the Marche region, perfect for a little shopping, a ride downtown and lots of music. Macerata's biggest tourist attraction is the unique open-air theater with perfect acoustics, even better than the Arena di Verona . The Sferisterio was built at the beginning of the nineteenth century as a 'sports palazzetto. '

Some wealthy inhabitants decided to give the city a building for various sports disciplines. At the time, the ball with the bracelet was one of the most popular sports in Italy. The Giostra dei Bulls was also highly appreciated by the public and since 1829 all these sports activities took place in the Sferisterio.

The theater has a particular semi-elliptical shape with a high wall in front of the spectators. The wall was indispensable for the game of the ball and the steps for the public were high enough to not be exposed to the bulls attacks.

Over the years the Sferisterio was also used as a theater. It was only in 1967 that the building was' transformed 'into a real musical theater. A new stage was built, the stage lights were set up and the three arches appeared in the back wall.

The first season of opera was immediately a real success and since then every year in the good season you can attend opera, ballet and music performances.

The theater and the city of Macerata are much less known than the Arena and Verona but they are certainly equally interesting. Once you have witnessed one of the shows and stayed overnight in the beautiful city, you are sure to go back there for a beautiful, long vacation.