Magnalonga of the 5 Castles of Caldarola

A Long Walk Among Five Castles

The Magnalonga dei 5 Castelli is now one of the most beloved events in the calendar of Caldarola, a small municipality in the Province of Macerata nestled in the Marche hinterland, at the gateway to the Sibillini Mountains. It's not just a simple walk: it's an experience that intertwines nature, tradition, and conviviality along a roughly 11-kilometer circular route that touches five medieval villages, each protected by its own castle.

The term "magnalonga" says it all: it's a long meal, spread out along the walk. You start and end in Caldarola, passing through the hamlets of Vestignano, Croce, Pievefavera, and Valcimarra, in a succession of views ranging from olive groves to vineyards, from panoramas of Lake Caccamo to the Franciscan paths of the upper Chienti valley.

Five Stops, Five Flavors of the Macerata Area

The heart of the day lies in the five refreshment stops, paced like the courses of a long lunch. Each village offers its specialty, prepared by local producers and artisans:

• Breakfast in Caldarola, with the typical 'spighette delle monache', pastries, and Vernaccia wine;
• Aperitif in Vestignano, with 'ciauscolo', pecorino cheese, and local wine;
• Happy Hour in Croce, featuring legumes, bruschetta with 'Olio Coroncina', and craft beer;
• Lunch in Pievefavera, with 'vincisgrassi', a star dish of Marche cuisine;
• Dessert in Valcimarra, with fruit and sweets near the picturesque Cascatelle dei Folletti (Sprites' Waterfalls).

Musical interludes set up in the various hamlets further enhance the pleasantness of the walk, while a free shuttle service returns walkers to the starting point.

An Event That Tells the Story of the Territory

Organized by the Pro Loco of Caldarola, the Magnalonga was created as a tool to promote tourism in an area of the Macerata hinterland affected by the 2016 earthquake and eager to move forward, in every sense. The event is sponsored by the Municipality of Caldarola and the Province of Macerata and has often been linked to solidarity initiatives.

It's an event suitable for everyone: from the most experienced walkers to families with children, from food and wine enthusiasts to those who simply want to spend a Sunday outdoors discovering villages that would otherwise remain off the tourist routes. This is why the Magnalonga dei 5 Castelli has become a small symbol of the rebirth of the Marche hinterland.