Travelling inland from the coast, visitors to Rimini can discover two real gems. They’re the valleys of the Marecchia and Conca rivers, remarkable countryside with numerous villages and castles and a rich artistic and cultural heritage. Two valleys just a few miles from Rimini, which still bear intact the evidence of the rule of the Malatestas, one of the powerful families that left their mark on the history of Italy between the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
VERUCCHIO
From its strategic position, it overlooks the splendid scenery of the Marecchia Valley. Also, the Fortress, the Collegiate Church of St Martino and St Francis of Assisi and the Municipal Archaeological Museum are not to be missed.
MONTEBELLO and TORRIANA
Splendid examples of fortifications that watched over the road leading to Tuscany.
SANTARCANGELO
A rather special town, where poets meet under the protective wing of their leading figure, Tonino Guerra (scriptwriter and friend of cinema legend Federico Fellini), born in this town. Places not to miss include the Malatesta fort, the Capuchin monastery, the 19th century fish market, the Arch and the square dedicated to Pope Ganganelli, the "mysterious" tuff caves and crafts shops selling wrought ironwork, and the rust-printed cloth items.
SAN LEO
Perched atop a rugged 1,950 ft. hill, famous for its Fortress, Parish church and Cathedral, San Leo - historical capital of the Seigniory of the Montefeltro family - is also known thanks to Count Cagliostro, the mysterious and fascinating “alchemist” who was imprisoned in the Fortress and died there in 1795. The entire area of the Conca Valley is dotted with fortresses and fortified villages, which guarded the dangerous borders with the Duchy of Urbino.
MONTEFIORE
The town is the symbol of the valley – atop its hill, it hosts a beautiful large medieval fortress.
GRADARA
A classic antique village encircled by an extensive town wall, where the impressive scenographic castle, a marvellous example of military architecture, completes the medieval centre. The fortress was finished by the Malatestas between 1307 and 1325 and was restored several times later. Legend has it that precisely in Gradara, the Malatesta family lived the tragic love story of Paolo and Francesca, described by Dante.
SAN MARINO
At a height of 2,250 ft., in the world’s oldest small Sovereign State, which for centuries has maintained its freedom and independence, visitors are in fact “abroad”. On mount Titano, the silhouettes of the three towers (Guaita, Cesta and Montale) form the peaks that are the symbol of the Republic, which among its many glories, boasts a remarkable history and a philatelic and numismatic tradition that is very appreciated throughout the world.
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