HOME PAGE
wellbeing and relax |
bike and cycle tourism |
food and wine |
golf |
funfairs |
circuit and motor racing |
sea and beach |
pink night |
shopping |
night life |
art and culture |
trade fairs and congresses |
active holidays |
sailing and basin |
nature and ecology |
cattolica per bambini |
Old Town
Malatesta Fortresses
Museo della Regina
Further
Museums
Museums
Teatro della Regina
Exhibition Memoria della Marineria
Great leaders, shrewd politicians, pitiless conquerors and great patrons of the arts, the Malatestas chose Rimini as their capital in 1197, and they subsequently conquered almost the whole Romagna, part of the Marches and some territories of Emilia, Tuscany and Veneto.
From Verucchio, a small village situated just in the heart of the province of Rimini, on the top of an impressive rock spur which dominates the vast underlying coastline, the ancestors of the Malatesta family moved towards the coast headed by Mastin Vecchio, who was celebrated by Dante in his Divine Comedy. The Rock of the Stone in Verucchio, which is now open to the general public and hosts interesting exhibitions and displays, was one of the first fortresses commissioned by the Malatesta family in 1100.
The Malatesta Castle in Rimini, which has recently been restored and now hosts interesting exhibitions and events, dates back to the first half of the fifteenth century. It was designed as a fortress and aristocratic residence by Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, the ambitious Lord of Rimini and medieval patron of the arts who also commissioned the building of the Malatesta Library and the Malatesta Temple, well-kept buildings situated just in the heart of the city centre. The fifteenth-century Castel Sismondo, the masterpiece of the military architecture of the Malatesta family, still retains its central section and impressive square walls.
From Verucchio, a small village situated just in the heart of the province of Rimini, on the top of an impressive rock spur which dominates the vast underlying coastline, the ancestors of the Malatesta family moved towards the coast headed by Mastin Vecchio, who was celebrated by Dante in his Divine Comedy. The Rock of the Stone in Verucchio, which is now open to the general public and hosts interesting exhibitions and displays, was one of the first fortresses commissioned by the Malatesta family in 1100.
The Malatesta Castle in Rimini, which has recently been restored and now hosts interesting exhibitions and events, dates back to the first half of the fifteenth century. It was designed as a fortress and aristocratic residence by Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, the ambitious Lord of Rimini and medieval patron of the arts who also commissioned the building of the Malatesta Library and the Malatesta Temple, well-kept buildings situated just in the heart of the city centre. The fifteenth-century Castel Sismondo, the masterpiece of the military architecture of the Malatesta family, still retains its central section and impressive square walls.
A short distance from Verucchio's Fortress is the so-called Fortress of the Scorticata, now Torriana, a well-preserved fortress which boasts a breathtaking view over the underlying landscape, lush valleys, rough mountains and beguiling sea. Once past Torriana, head to Montebello, an ancient village dominated by an impressive castle which boasts breathtaking views over the underlying valleys of the rivers Marecchia and Uso.
Commanding the whole of the Conca Valley, the Fortress of Montefiore was erected as the game preserve and residence of illustrious personalities; its inner rooms still retain outstanding frescos and decorations. Not to be missed is the “Room of the Emperor” painted by Jacopo Avanzi in 1370 witn traditional patterns depicting the ancient history of Rome. Nowadays, a room of the castle hosts the Museum of the fossils and the minerals, an outstanding collection of prehistorical finds dating back to more than one million years ago.
The nearby castles and fortress of Saludecio, Mondaino and Montegridolfo have recently been restored and now host the local town halls. Going down the hills up to Cattolica, visitors will reach San Giovanni in Marignano, which still retains fourteenth/fifteenth-century Malatesta walls and towers.
A short distance from the boundary of the region is the Castle of Gradara, which was the backdrop for the harrowing love story between Paolo and Francesca from Rimini, which was celebrated by Dante in his Divine Comedy. An impressive defensive bulwark, it was designed as the sumptuous residence of the lords of the city. The inner frescos date back to 1494, when the fortress was taken over by the Sforza family. The inner chapel cherishes a precious majolica altar-piece by Andrea della Robbia, while inner rooms are embellished by Renaissance frescos and decorations.
