a city of central Italy, capital of a cognominal delegation of the Papal States, is situate on an eminence between the rivers Potenza and Chienti, 21 miles S.W. of Ancona, and 170 from Rome. It is well built, with generally straight, spacious, and clean streets, and is surrounded by walls having six gates. In the centre of the town is a large but irregular square, in which are some of the principal buildings, including the cathedral, the palace of the delegate, and the theatre. Macerata is the see of a bishop, and the seat of a court of appeal for several of the neighbouring delegations. It has a number of churches and convents, and a university for philosophy, theology, and medicine, with a library of 20,000 volumes. It carries on some trade in corn, silk, and cattle. Under the French it was the capital of the department of Musone. Pop. 16,000. The delegation of Macerata is for the most part mountainous and wooded; but the valleys and plains are fertile and well cultivated, producing abundance of corn, wine, and fruits in great variety. Many cattle are reared. Area 861 square miles. Pop. (1850) 239,942.