Holiday apartment in Macchie: forest, castle and hiking trails

Macchie is a mountainous settlement whose name refers to the woodland growing densely around the fortress. Historical traces, forest landscapes and paths through the Amerino shape the impressions visitors experience here.

History and culture in Macchie

The Church of San Nicola da Bari celebrates its patron saint on 6 December. The parish church of “St. Nicholas of Bari” was modernised in the 1930s, significantly altering its earlier architectural structures. Fragments of walls, part of a tower and the vaulted entrance gate remain from the ancient castle of Macchie. In the past, Macchie was known by the names “Castrum Machiae” and “Maclis”.

The village’s political and economic past is also connected with Amelia: Macchie was part of Amelia’s holdings and supplied important timber reserves. After its destruction in 1405, the municipality of Amelia intervened to reinforce Macchie’s defensive walls. In the 16th century, Macchie Castle was attacked and ravaged by Blaxino degli Atti from Montecampano and Aloisio Liviani from Alviano.

Forest landscape and a small church near Macchie

The road to Macchie begins just outside the town of Amelia, immediately behind the Roman bridge. It is considered scenic and offers visitors pleasant views in close contact with nature. The small church of “Madonna del Colle” is also located near Macchie. This makes it possible to combine the journey to the village with scenic impressions and another religious building.

Hiking trails and mountain-bike route

The Sentiero 730 Macchie – Santa Restituta is a 6.5 km-long hiking trail in the Sentieri Amerini network. It begins in the village of Macchie and leads through the forests of the Amerino. The Sentiero 729 Amelia – Macchie – Lugnano connects Amelia, starting from Porta Romana, with Lugnano and passes through Macchie along the way.

The Sentiero 728 Amelia – Macchie is 7.6 km long. It leads from Lago Vecchio in the Rio Grande basin to Macchie, passes La Cavallerizza and follows unpaved paths through hilly terrain and holm-oak forests. On the MTB 13 route, Macchie is reached at kilometre 22 during the descent through the forest.

Charcoal-burning tradition and regional speciality

The Comunità dei carbonari di Macchie di Amelia consists of men who formerly practised the craft of charcoal burning; this craft has now disappeared. At the same time, Macchie is considered a mountainous settlement where hunting and forestry traditions are still alive. The Bosco di Macchie programme on 19 May 2024 included a return to Macchie village centre with a tasting of polenta alla boscaiola, which was considered famous and typical among the residents of Macchie; no more than 100 people were admitted. Between 21 and 27 August 2017, the Festa del Boscaiolo took place in Macchie di Amelia as a public festival.

Discover more places

For more travel ideas, you can also explore Ripalvella, Montoro, Montegiove, Finocchieto, Carnaiola, Borgaria, Vigne and Dunarobba.

For the higher-level travel overview: Terni.