Matelica 1473

A Marche First Born in 1473

There is a year that the city of Matelica, in the heart of the upper Esino valley in the province of Macerata, proudly cherishes: 1473. It was in that year that, according to local documentary tradition, movable type printing, Gutenberg's revolutionary technique that would forever change the way books were produced and disseminated in just a few decades, arrived here. Matelica is remembered as one of the very first cities in the Marche to acquire a printing press, and from this pioneering achievement, the event Matelica 1473 — The Arrival of Movable Type Printing was born.

Antonio Cornazzano's Incunabulum

At the center of the reenactment is a small but precious incunabulum printed in Matelica in 1473: a poem on the Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary attributed to Antonio Cornazzano. This text, also presented to the public in a facsimile edition, is the focus of the event's discussions, which explore the humanistic culture and intellectual ferment of the Renaissance between the Marche and Umbria regions.

What the Event Offers

Matelica 1473 is not a food festival (sagra) or a street party, but a historical-cultural event typically held over two autumn days. The program includes:

• Conferences and round tables with university professors, archivists, and historians, held in the Conference Hall of Fondazione Il Vallato;
• Free guided tours of Matelica's Renaissance historic center, exploring churches, noble palaces, and charming village views;
• Book presentations and in-depth discussions dedicated to the history of books and printing in the region.

Who Organizes It

The event is promoted by the Fondazione Il Vallato, established in 2021 in Matelica to enhance the cultural, historical, and artistic heritage of the area, in collaboration with the Municipality of Matelica and Pro Matelica. The Foundation's headquarters are located at via Aristide Merloni 17B.

Why It's Worth Attending

For visitors to the inland Marche region, Matelica 1473 offers an ideal opportunity to discover a little-known but fascinating chapter of European book history, far from the usual tourist routes. It is an event designed for enthusiasts of history, humanistic culture, and local traditions, in a city that is also the homeland of the renowned Verdicchio di Matelica DOC.