signoria_GB 8.10.2007 9:32 Pagina 6 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.