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1 2 A town, a land and its traditions SANTARCANGELO KM RIMINI 10 RICCIONE 22 BELLARIA 11 CATTOLICA 30 MISANO 26 From the top of the fortresses TORRIANA KM RIMINI 20 RICCIONE 32 BELLARIA 22 CATTOLICA 40 MISANO 37
This itinerary visits three imposing castles that each stand atop one traditions of southern Romagna. Just outside the town is the parish of the steep, rocky spurs that characterise the entire Marecchia Verucchio church of Saint Michael Archangel, which dates from the 6th - 7th Valley. Medieval, Renaissance and even ancient history have all left Just a 10-minute drive away, on the other side of the valley from This itinerary crosses the flatlands of the Marecchia Valley, passing century. their indelible and highly refined mark on these villages. The itinerary Montebello, is Verucchio. The small town, which is also situated through its main town, Santarcangelo di Romagna, and the Life is sweet in the hills around Rimini takes visitors along the efficient defensive system built here and on a huge mass of rock, is perhaps the oldest capital of the countryside surrounding nearby Poggio Berni. Just a short distance “Santarcangelo dei Teatri” theatre festival (July), passes some of the most beautiful “rocche” or fortresses in the Malatesta dynasty. Either way, it is almost certainly the town from the coastal resorts of Rimini and Bellaria-Igea Marina, visitors “Fiera di San Martino” (the week of 11th November), Malatesta Seignory. These impressive bastions once guarded the that gave origin and power to the members of the family that one of the largest and oldest fairs in Romagna, can discover the unusual lifestyle that characterises the small towns border with the rival lands of Montefeltro and over the years, small then went on to conquer nearby Rimini. and “Fiera di San Michele” (29th September), a fair entirely and villages in this part of Romagna. towns have developed at the foot of each rocky spur. Verucchio has a large old town centre that is dominated by two dedicated to nature. fortresses and of these, the “Rocca del Sasso” is one of the most SANTARCANGELO > POGGIO BERNI Poggio Berni TORRIANA > MONTEBELLO > VERUCCHIO important Malatesta buildings still standing. As well as numerous other medieval and Renaissance buildings, Situated about 5 km from Santarcangelo, Poggio Berni boasts numerous palaces, which once belonged to old families, as well Verucchio has splendid exhibits of an extremely unusual Santarcangelo di Romagna as interesting popular buildings that recall traditional local Torriana civilisation that developed in this area between the 9th and 7th which is a pretty little town with an important history and a culture. Many of these can be found in the fertile countryside dominates a large stretch of the valley and although little remains century B.C. These are all now housed in the town’s museum, heart that is both noble and popular, has succeeded in surrounding the town. of the ancient borough once called “Scorticata”, some monuments which has gained international recognition. maintaining strong and uninterrupted links with its past and its still manage to convey its former strategic importance. traditions. Indeed, the entire old town centre is filled with well There are a large number of aristocratic palaces dotted Only a visit to the Archaeological Municipal Museum (in Via preserved houses and palaces, excellent restaurants and taverns, around the surrounding countryside and many of them have Visitors should not miss the remains of the 13th century S. Agostino, tel. 0541 670222), which is housed in a splendid and stone steps and narrow streets that lead to squares that are recently been turned into restaurants or hotels and can therefore tower and the exterior of the Rocca or fortress. former convent, can fully convey the elegance of the exhibits. always full of people. The atmosphere is that of a large borough be visited. Unfortunately, many other palaces are still privately The jewels, china and extremely rare wooden pieces and cloths that lives life at the right pace and jealously guards its cultural owned and are not easily accessible. Marcosanti Palace (13th were all found in excavations of a nearby necropolis, making this and human heritage. Montebello century), at 441, Via Ripabianca tel. 0541 659522, and Astolfi Palace is just a few minutes drive from Torriana and boasts one of the one of the most precious archaeological treasures in this part of (18th century), in Piazza S. Rocco, both now house elegant and Italy. Also worth visiting are the two fortresses, Rocca Malatestiana Particularly worth seeing are the upper parts of the best preserved castles in the entire Seignory. The ancient prestigious restaurants and the former also offers hotel “contrade” or quarters, which are dominated by the borough is still intact as is the marvellous Rocca dei Guidi, which or Rocca del Sasso (tel. 0541 670222), one of the most important accommodation facilities. Nearby, Moroni Mill (tel. 0541 629701) is “Campanone” tower (19th century). In this part of the old town houses precious historical and artistic exhibits dating from locations in the history of the Malatesta family, and Rocca di a perfectly preserved building that houses an exhibition illustrating centre, visitors will also find two beautiful squares, Piazza delle several different historical periods. Passerello (Verucchio’s other fortress), the moat walls, and the the traditions and work techniques used in mills throughout the Monache and Piazzetta Galassi, Cervese Gate (14th - 15th century), Collegiate church, which houses two painted crucifixes dating from Map Marecchia Valley. the Rocca Malatestiana fortress (14th century), which can only be The borough can easily be visited on foot in about twenty the 14th and 15th century. Just outside the town are the parish visited subject to booking, and, next to the latter, the Monastery of church (10th century) and the Franciscan Monastery, which was “Fairytales in August” review minutes but the Rocca (tel. 0541 675180) really deserves a lot the Capuchins. Whilst in the old town centre, visitors should not founded in 1215 and where there is an enormous cypress tree that and an Easter Monday festival. longer, especially as it boasts buildings from various periods in miss the chance to visit the Collegiate Church, which houses Bellaria history, including the initial nucleus that dates from the year 1000. Bellaria is 700 years old. precious works of art, Marchi workshop (at 15, Via C. Battisti), Igea Marina Other treasures and mysteries are housed within the walls of the Igea Marina Santarcangelo where traditional printed cloth is still produced, and the mysterious Santarcangelo castle, including the ghost of a little girl that occasionally returns to “Malatesta Festival” (August), From the top From left Poggio Berni tufa caves (in Via Ruggeri), an underground complex that extends Poggio Berni Rimini haunt the fortress. There are paths between Torriana and Rimini Verucchio Festival (July), beneath the entire town centre and about which very little is Torriana Astolfi Palace Santarcangelo Rocca or fortress Torriana Montebello Montebello including one that leads to the extraordinary Sanctuary Montebello and “Fiera di Quatorg” fair (September). Verucchio Verucchio e Moroni Mill Cloth printing e ia known. Furthermore, on entering the town, visitors will notice the m m iu ecchia Fiu ecch F ar of the Madonna of Saiano. M Mar triumphal Ganganelli Arch that dates from 1777. Riccione Tufa caves Marcosanti Palace Riccione S.MARINO Misano Adriatico S.MARINO Misano Adriatico Also worth a visit is the Ethnographical Museum (at 41, Via Coriano Coriano Montecolombo Montecolombo Montevecchi - tel. 0541 624703), a nationally renowned museum San San Montescudo Clemente Cattolica From the top From left Montescudo Clemente Cattolica that offers visitors the opportunity to get to know the popular Morciano Morciano Torriana Rocca or fortress Verucchio Rocca or fortress e m a a c S. Giovanni iume c S. Giovanni iu n Gemmano F n Gemmano F To continue on the itineraries of the Seignory o in Marignano in Marignano Co C Montefiore A view of Verucchio Saiano Sanctuary Montefiore Saludecio Saludecio A road leads for Villa Verucchio across the hillsides to Montegridolfo To continue on the itineraries of the Seignory Treasures in the Archaeological Montebello Rocca or fortress Montegridolfo Mondaino Mondaino Torriana > 5 km Museum Coriano (about 20 minutes drive away).
Map of the territory and suggested itineraries
3 Boroughs, villages and countryside SAN GIOVANNI KM RIMINI 20 RICCIONE 10 BELLARIA 32 CATTOLICA 3 MISANO 7 4 Historical and natural treasures GEMMANO KM RIMINI 25 RICCIONE 20 BELLARIA 30 CATTOLICA 20 MISANO 20
About us This itinerary covers a large part of the Conca Valley, passing through This itinerary will help visitors discover one of the most integral parts of the Coriano Malatesta Seignory, both from a natural and a historical point of view. The some of its most densely populated towns, and castles that still which is about 5 minutes drive away, visitors have the choice of one We are located in the heart of the lands that once belonged to the Malatesta countryside here is harmonious and offers spectacular landscape where Montefiore Conca retain the original layout of fortified boroughs built in the Malatesta of several routes. All of them offer spectacular panoramic views of dynasty, a powerful Seignory that influenced centuries of Italian history between cultivated fields blend with extensive areas of wild and untilled countryside and Unsurprisingly, Montefiore has been voted one of the “Most the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. period. agricultural landscapes as well as the remains of ancient fortified the breathtaking views embrace the entire coast of Romagna and the foothills beautiful boroughs in Italy”. Its old town centre clearly bears Situated in Romagna, this hilly area of towns, villages and hamlets boasting farmhouses like Agello and Castelleale, which date from the of the Apennines. On the highest peaks, entirely surrounded by oaks, olive witness to its role as the medieval capital of the Conca Valley and a rich heritage of art and culture, straddles the Marecchia and Conca river Malatesta era. Coriano, which is a particularly lively town that groves and chestnut trees are the towns of Montefiore and Gemmano (about the military and civil importance it once held in the Malatesta valleys with their attractive countryside and scenery. organises a number of popular feasts and events, is the main centre 25 minutes from Cattolica and Riccione by car), which, in different ways, are Seignory. Its imposing fortress can be seen from as far away as Nestling between the sea and the foothills of the inland mountain ranges, in the tiny Marano Valley. Its past is also closely linked to the two Seignory villages “par excellence”. Rimini whilst its narrow streets are amongst the most charming this is a place where the local people are well known for their hospitality Malatesta Seignory for which it was an important productive town. and panoramic in Romagna and its chestnut woods are of rare and where life is still sweet. natural beauty. SAN GIOVANNI > MORCIANO > SAN CLEMENTE > Worth visiting are the remains of the small Malatesta Castle (walls GEMMANO > MONTEFIORE and arches), the churches in the old centre and the suburbs, and CORIANO > MONTECOLOMBO > MONTESCUDO Rocca Maltestiana. The Rocca Maltestiana or fortress is one Where to find us the parish church of Montetauro. Visitors will also find walking around of the symbols of the power of the Malatesta family and it San Giovanni in Marignano nearby Marano Park particularly pleasant. Coriano produces excellent Gemmano was extremely popular with the whole family, in particular The lands of the Malatesta Seignory extend across the Province of Rimini which is just a few minutes away from the resorts of Cattolica, wine and olive oil and organises special autumnal fairs to honour these Our itinerary begins in Gemmano, a town that retains very few Sigismondo Malatesta. As early as 1337, it was an important whose borders mark the boundary, not only between the regions of Emilia Misano and Riccione, is an important town situated in the plains of important natural products. The ridge road that leads from Coriano to old monuments as it was extensively damaged during a violent defensive and residential complex. Over the years, its impregnable Romagna and the Marches, but also between northern and central Italy. the Malatesta Seignory. It was once telling called the “breadbasket of Montecolombo and Montescudo battle that raged in these hillsides during the Second World War. walls played host to a number of Princes and Popes and it still All the hill towns of the Seignory are easily reached thanks to their direct the Malatesta family” and even today, its countryside is still two villages that are very close to each other and dominate the left However, what history has taken away, nature has repaid by houses many precious works of art, such as 14th century frescoes connections to the plain below where particularly fertile. In the old town centre, it is easy to retrace parts of bank of the middle Conca Valley, offers spectacular views of the giving Gemmano one of the most interesting natural heritages in by Jacopo Avanzi. The fortress terrace offers visitors spectacular visitors can find some of the most the ancient walls and other buildings, which were restored between surrounding area. The layout and monuments of these two small Emilia Romagna. views of the coast from Ravenna to Fano although many insist that famous seaside resorts in Europe the 19th and 20th century. towns, which are surrounded by lush green countryside, have a In fact, just a few kilometres from the town are Onferno Caves. it is even possible to see the coast of Dalmatia from here. (Rimini, Riccione, Bellaria- EMILIA clearly medieval-Renaissance feel, illustrating their close links to the Set in a nature reserve, this karstic complex offers visitors the The gardens at the foot of the fortress are particularly pleasant and Igea Marina, Cattolica ROMAGNA Rimini Particularly worth noting here is the entrance gate-tower on the Malatesta family. opportunity to discover an unusual environment that is hard to also worth seeing are Saint Paul’s church, the parish church that and Misano Adriatico). main road and several of the churches. Without doubt, a imagine so close to the sea and the plains. houses many important works of art including a wooden Crucifix The area is served by the nearby “magical” moment for visiting San Giovanni is around 24th June when Before reaching Montecolombo, visitors will come across the A14 motorway (for those coming of the fourteenth-century Rimini School, Curina Gate, a beautiful the town evokes ancient traditions, spells and incantations linked to small castle of San Savino, a pretty little borough with old walls Onferno Caves (tel. 0541 984694). A subterranean river has from Bologna) while those arriving entrance gate to the borough adorned with a coat of arms, and “Witches’ Night”. From here, the itinerary mainly follows the course of and several elegant buildings. In Montecolombo, under a beautiful, carved the chalky rock creating tunnels, caves and gorges that from the centre of Italy can reach the Bottega del Vasaio, the most traditional terracotta workshop in the Conca River as far as fortified entrance gate visitors will find a pleasant old town centre that stretch for around 750 metres underground. Around 400 metres of valleys of the Seignory via the main Romagna where the shapes and colours of the pieces produced Morciano di Romagna is entirely enclosed within boundary walls that date from the Malatesta roads from Arezzo and Urbino. this wonderful natural spectacle are open to the public so that they and the techniques used to make them have been handed down the valley’s trade capital. This is the area’s most modern town, although period. Three minutes drive away is Montescudo where the Municipal can discover huge caves with unusual configurations and wide for generations. What you will find it still has an unusual “twentieth-century” layout, and it hosts a number Tower, ancient icehouse and Museum of Farming Culture (open on corridors that house a fascinating colony of bats. This interesting Visitors should not miss the chance to take a walk around the city of interesting events such as the huge weekly market (every Thursday) request, tel. 0541 864010) are all worth seeing. Situated in the underground itinerary lasts about an hour but the environment that walls; a beautiful, pedestrian path surrounded by lush greenery that and the “Fiera di San Gregorio”, one of the oldest and most popular fairs You will find a whole host of castles and villages whose fortresses, historical Bellaria countryside near the town are the borough/castle of Albereto, the surrounds the caves, consisting of rocks, waterways, grottoes and Bellaria skirts the entire outer city wall. They should also make time to visit the centres, churches and museums each recount a piece of Italian history. that is held every year around 12th March. Igea Marina Sanctuary of Valliano, which houses 15th century frescoes, and Pace di spectacular vegetation, is also well worth seeing. Igea Marina hospital church, which houses 16th century frescoes, and Bonora Santarcangelo Santarcangelo You will find a rolling landscape where olive trees and vineyards regularly make From here, visitors should take the road that leads through the Trarivi church. Next to the church, there is a museum housing Nature Reserve Museum. This small museum has been designed Sanctuary, one of the most famous religious buildings in the Seignory. way for small and surprisingly untouched and unspoiled valleys abounding in vineyard-covered hillsides to Poggio Berni Rimini documents and other items relating to the bloody battles that were for mainly educational purposes. Poggio Berni Rimini San Clemente Torriana Torriana natural vegetation and wildlife. Montebello fought locally during the Second World War. Due to its undoubted natural beauty, unusual landscape and rare Montebello Living Nativity scene (Christmas time), Verucchio Verucchio ia e ia (unsurprisingly, this is a “Città del Vino” or wine town), a small old me m You will find restaurants, holiday farms, inns and hotels that can cater for every iu flora and fauna, the Nature Reserve, which extends for a total of iu ecch F arecch F Good Friday procession in period costume, M Mar imaginable requirement throughout the year. town that has an imposing defensive structure. To reach Riccione 123 hectares, is a protected area. Riccione “Rocca di Luna” (an event held to coincide with the July full moon) S.MARINO Misano Adriatico S.MARINO Misano Adriatico You will find first-rate cuisine and outstanding wines with a food and wine route Coriano To continue on the itineraries of the Seignory Coriano and the Chestnut Fair (October). Montecolombo Montecolombo that demands excellent quality as its primary indispensable requisite. From the top From left San From the top From left San Montescudo Clemente Cattolica By descending to the valley bottom and taking the road Montescudo Clemente Cattolica You will find peace and quiet without boredom, there being plenty of Montescudo Morciano Market Votive offerings at Bonora Sanctuary Onferno Caves Morciano To continue on the itineraries of the Seignory that climbs the opposite side, it is possible to reach e me a m opportunities to take part in the local festivities, celebrations and events of the c S. Giovanni ca S. Giovanni iu Gemmano iu n Gemmano F Morciano in Marignano F o in Marignano It is possible to reach Mondaino by way of Tavoleto Coriano San Giovanni in Marignano Con Montefiore Gemmano (about 20 minutes away). From Morciano, it is Montefiore Rocca or fortress Ventena Valley C Montefiore lively towns. Saludecio Saludecio San Clemente Pace di Trarivi church Montegridolfo possible to take other itineraries that lead to Montefiore Excursions to Gemmano Montefiore Rocca or fortress Montegridolfo (about 20 minutes away) or else descend to Morciano You will find craftsmen who still take pride in their age-old traditions. Mondaino Mondaino You will find the sea just a stone’s throw away. and Saludecio. before climbing towards Saludecio. And above all, you will discover how all this can be brought together for the enjoyment of visitors to the area.
info 0541 716380 - [email protected] www.riviera.rimini.it
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5 Castles in the hills
This itinerary runs through a particularly noble part of the Malatesta Seignory. The area, which borders with Montefeltro, consists of beautiful hills on which huge castles were built that, over Life is sweet in the hills around Rimini the years, have become rich towns. To this day, there is an unusual atmosphere in the narrow streets and palaces of these well preserved old town centres. 1 IAT Tourist Information Offices SALUDECIO KM open all year
RIMINI 31 RICCIONE 20 BELLARIA 43 CATTOLICA 15 MISANO 19 +39 International dialling code
SALUDECIO > MONDAINO Rimini Marina Centro > MONTEGRIDOLFO Piazzale F. Fellini, 3 Tel. 0541 56902 Fax 0541 56598 [email protected] 2 Saludecio Railway station played a very important role in the valley 3 Piazzale Cesare Battisti between 1500 and 1800. Evidence of this still Tel. 0541 51331 Fax 0541 27927 remains in the beautiful urban layout of this town, [email protected] which develops along the peaks of a hillside. The centre is a web of narrow streets that run Torre Pedrera alongside and cross the elegant main street, and Viale S. Salvador, 65/d the churches, palaces and small houses in the Tel/Fax 0541 720182 borough create a feeling of order and harmony. [email protected]
Porta Marina, with its beautiful tower, is the Viserba fourteenth century entrance gate to the Viale G. Dati, 180/a town and close by is the parish church of Saint Tel/Fax 0541 738115 Blaise that also houses the Sanctuary of the [email protected] 4 Blessed Amato and the Museum of Saludecio and the Blessed Amato. Miramare 5 This large and extremely elegant church, which Viale Martinelli, 11/a has rightly been called a “small cathedral”, is full Tel/Fax 0541 372112 of works of art and is famous for the veneration [email protected] of the Blessed Amato Ronconi, an important local historical and religious figure. The beautiful Airport (on flight arrivals) museum that honours his memory is well worth Via Flaminia, 409 - Miramare visiting as it houses precious items of sacred art. Tel/Fax 0541 378731 Also worth visiting are Albini Palace, the [email protected] Municipal Tower, Gerolimini church and convent, Montanara Gate, the Scented Gardens, the narrow streets with their murals and, in the nearby countryside, the Exhibition Centre (during trade fairs) fortified boroughs of Meleto and Cerreto. Via Emilia, 155 Tel. 0541 744768 / 0541 53399 [email protected] Ottocento Festival (July), and Saluserbe, a herbal medicine fair (April). Conference Centre (during conferences) Via della Fiera, 52 Tel. 0541 53399
Mondaino Riccione which is just 5 minutes drive away, is a lively Piazzale Ceccarini, 11 Tel. 0541 693302 / 0541 605627 Fax 0541 605752 and charming old town that has a beautiful iat@comune.riccione.rn.it fortress as well as the most unusual main square in the entire Seignory. Mondaino’s Railway station beautiful narrow streets and buildings and its Tel. 0541 606984 warm and friendly atmosphere will surprise and delight all visitors. Via Verdi, 27 Tel. 0541 691382 Porta Marina, a fine example of imposing military architecture dating from the reign Bellaria Igea Marina of Sigismondo Malatesta, leads directly into the Bellaria heart of the village, or in other words, beautiful Viale L. da Vinci, 2 Piazza Maggiore, which is semi-circular and has a Tel. 0541 344108 Fax 0541 345491 colonnade dating from 1800. The Rocca fortress, [email protected] which now houses the town hall and other cultural institutions, is another well preserved Igea Marina example of fine military architecture from the Viale Pinzon, 196 Malatesta era. The Palaeontological Museum Tel/Fax 0541 333119 houses extremely rare local fossils and the [email protected] Renaissance majolica collection is particularly worth visiting. Visitors should also not miss the Cattolica church of Saint Michael Archangel, which houses Piazza Roosevelt, 5 beautiful paintings and decorated antependia, Tel. 0541 966697 / 0541 966621 Fax 0541 966695 and the Convent of the Poor Clare’s, although [email protected] unfortunately the latter is now only open on special occasions. The narrow streets of the old Piazzale 1° Maggio town centre also deserve particular attention. Tel. 0541 966687
“Palio del Daino” (one of the most important events in the Seignory, July), Misano Adriatico Music Festival (July), Viale Platani, 22 and “Latinus Ludus” (April - May) Tel. 0541 615520 Fax 0541 613295 [email protected]
Montegridolfo Portoverde Via Lungodarsena Three minutes drive away is Montegridolfo, a Tel/Fax 0541 612429 small borough that has been meticulously restored to its former glory and is now a fine Santarcangelo di Romagna example of a well preserved village. Via C. Battisti, 5 Understandably, it attracts a number of tourists Tel. 0541 624270 Fax 0541 622570 throughout the year. [email protected] The entire old centre is worth seeing, in Verucchio particular the entrance gate, which has a Piazza Malatesta, 20 beautiful tower and the remains of a drawbridge. Tel. 0541 670222 Fax 0541 673266 The village’s most important buildings include the [email protected] Municipal Palace and Viviani Palace, which now houses an elegant hotel and restaurant. Finally, Coriano visitors should not miss Saint Rocco’s Church, Piazza Mazzini, 10 which dates from the 14th century and houses Tel/Fax 0541 656255 several ancient works of art, and Saint Peter’s [email protected] www.prolococoriano.it Church. Gemmano / Onferno Stations of the Cross procession (Good Nature Reserve Visitors’ centre Friday), “A Castle of Voices” (July-August) Tel/Fax 0541 984694 and “L’Olio novello in Tavola”, celebrating olive [email protected] oil (December). Montefiore Conca From the top Via Roma, 3 Tel. 0541 980035 Fax 0541 980206 Porta Marina in Saludecio [email protected] Cerreto Palio del Daino Montegridolfo Porta Marina in Mondaino Via Borgo, 2 Tel/Fax 0541 855067 An aerial view of Montegridolfo [email protected] Viviani Palace Saludecio
Bellaria To continue on the Piazza Beato Amato Ronconi Igea Marina itineraries of the Seignory Tel. 0541 981757 Santarcangelo [email protected] Torriana > 5 km Poggio Berni Rimini Torriana San Giovanni in Marignano Montebello Verucchio e ia Piazza Silvagni m ecch Fiu ar M Tel. 0541 828119 Fax 0541 828182 Riccione
S.MARINO Misano Adriatico Coriano Montecolombo San Montescudo Clemente Cattolica For information on Morciano
e m a c S. Giovanni iu n Gemmano the Malatesta Seignory, F o in Marignano C Montefiore Saludecio Montegridolfo Mondaino www.riviera.rimini.it