Discovering traditional skills in the province of Macerata

Our visit to Appignano begins in the morning, when the village is still quiet and the regular sound of a potter's wheel in action can be heard in the workshops. Here, the tradition of making "cocci" (earthenware) dates back to the Middle Ages, a time when the quality of the local clay gave rise to a flourishing production of terracotta dishes and containers. From the 16th century, this activity began to thrive, transforming Appignano into one of the most important ceramic centres in the region.
Walking through the old town, through quiet streets and corners still based on the medieval urban plan, you'll encounter  workshops  and  ateliers  where veteran potters and young designers reinterpret traditional forms in a contemporary style. Watching a potter at work is a fascinating experience: in just a few minutes, the soft clay takes shape in steady hands, revealing the precision and age-old gestures of the craft. If you want to learn more about the connection between Appignano and its artisanal past, spend a few minutes at the terracotta and ceramics collection, housed in the halls of the municipal building.
After discovering the bustling artisanal centre, Appignano invites you to slow down: a walk through Via Roma and the side streets will show you the authentic face of the village. Time for lunch? Choose a trattoria in the centre and try the local lasagne (vincisgrassi alla maceratese) or braised rabbit, served with a fine glass of Verdicchio di Matelica.

Continuing south, you'll come to Mogliano, perched on a ridge surrounded by olive groves and overlooking the rolling hills of the Macerata hinterland. Here, from the late 19th to the 20th century, a weaving district emerged, and became famous for the quality of the artefacts made from reeds, wicker, bamboo and rattan. The skills were shared by entire families, who for generations transformed natural fibres into everyday objects and furnishings with a rustic charm.
Today, this tradition has been revived thanks to modern ateliers, and companies such as Bottega Intreccio, which combines traditional techniques with innovative design. Enter a workshop and you will witness an almost hypnotic process: choosing the fibres, soaking the wicker, preparing the filaments and then the weaving itself, slow and precise, creating baskets, lamps and furnishings with an unmistakeable style.
The old town, compact and well-planned, deserves a leisurely stroll. Amid brick-built alleys, elegant residences and panoramic views, Mogliano reveals an intimate and pleasant atmosphere.Along the way, it's well worth visiting the MASM – Museo di Arte Sacra di Mogliano, housed in the church of Santa Maria in Piazza, to admire a masterpiece by Lorenzo Lotto and explore the connection between art, faith and the local community.Continuing the visit, don't miss the church of St Gregory the Great with its impressive staircase, or Palazzo Forti, which testifies to the historical vocation of the village.
To round off the day, choose one of the bars in the town centre for an aperitif: a glass of Ribona and some local delicacies will give you a last taste of the authentic atmosphere of Mogliano.

Our journey resumes in  Ripe San Ginesio, a village overlooking the Sibillini Mountains. In recent years, it has found new life thanks to the craftspeople who have chosen to open their workshops here. Strolling through the cobbled alleyways, you'll immediately sense how the old town has been revitalised by these creative spaces: small workshops, contemporary ateliers and artisan studios that preserve traditional techniques combined with modern experimentation.
Start your tour by visiting the workshops scattered around the village: artistic ceramic workshops, jewellers, a tailor's shop that works with natural fabrics, and other small businesses that transform simple materials such as wood, fabric and metals into unique pieces. Many artisans are happy to open their doors to visitors. It's an excellent opportunity to see craftsmen at work, learn about the materials, listen to their stories and discover how a handmade object takes shape.
After following this route through the local crafts, let yourself be guided through the alleys and squares. Ripe San Ginesio is home to numerous works of art, small installations and artistic interventions that interact with the architecture and accompany your walk. Here, art is not confined to museums. It is part of the urban fabric, transforming the historic town into an open-air museum, which makes the visit even more fascinating.
To complete the tour, stop at the art gallery, the Pinacoteca di Arte Contemporanea. Here you will find works and exhibitions celebrating the cultural projects that have contributed to the regeneration of the town and its creative identity.

And if you're feeling peckish, look for a bakery or a small tavern in the town centre. The local salami, ciauscolo IGP, rustic bread and a slice of homemade tart are all simple, authentic flavours that combine well with a glass of Vernaccia di Serrapetrona, the sparkling red typically produced in the Macerata hinterland.

Our journey ends in  Pioraco, a village nestled between the rocky cliffs of the Apennines and the clear course of the Potenza River.  Here, amid water and woodland, one of the oldest artisan traditions of the Le Marche region was born: papermaking, documented since the 13th century.  Even today, walking through the streets of the centre, you can sense the deep bond between the village and this tradition.
Start your visit at the  Museo della Carta e della Filigrana, the Paper and Watermark Museum where historical machinery, moulds, looms and panels tell the story of centuries of craftsmanship.  The guided tours will bring you closer to the world of handmade paper. You'll discover how the raw material was once transformed in the hands of master papermakers.  At certain times of the year, the museum organises demonstrations and workshops in calligraphy, historical bookbinding, origami and handmade paper.
After a walk through the quiet alleys, canals and squares in the town centre with its picturesque views, you might be surprised at how close Pioraco is to nature. The Li Vurgacci trail is just a few steps away, a short but scenic route across wooden walkways, past waterfalls and rock faces sculpted by time. Here, water shapes stone and perspective, while the rock sculptures by artist Antonio Ciccarelli (faces, mysterious creatures, imagined forms) emerge along the path, transforming the walk into a journey into the fantastic.
And for more romantic souls, before leaving Pioraco a stop at the Passerella del Bacio is almost obligatory: a small viewpoint suspended between water and nature, perfect for a photo or a moment of quiet.