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The early medieval place-name Plebs was probably placed before the originario Bovellianum, which testify to the existence of a roman pagus devoted to cattle stock breeding, although other scholars link its name to a former Gallic settlement of people who practised the Ox-cult. Whatever its origins may have been, the area was certainly already inhabited in prehistoric times. During the Middle Ages it was a possession of the noble family Da Varano from Camerino, and it remained such until its annexation to the Papal State and, eventually, to the new Italian State.
Located in a pleasant position in the valley of the stream Fornace, the economy of Pievebovigliana is still today based on agricultue, as well as on a wealth of age-old crafts still practised throughout the area; its textile activity, for one, is carried on following ancient procedures belonging to a deep-rooted tradition. The little town is also known for the production of the celebrated ‘mistrà Varnelli’, a sweet anise acquavite that has reached world fame and that is the symbol of the peculiarities of the products of the ‘alto-maceratese’ area.
What remain of the medieval castle are some stretches of the city walls and the urban layout in the village’s upper part.
The small hamlet of Campi preserves a very precious example of ‘nucleo storico’, the ancient town centre, dominated by a 15th century Palazzo con Torre.
Text by Fabio Santilli
Translation by Gianfranco Martorano |