of Emilia Romagna

Landscapes
Rimini
Mondaino
This lovely hamlet of Valconca is surprisingly amazing
with its picturesque village revolving around the
castle, the elegant semi-circular square and the lush
park where fallow deer used to pasture. In the Roman
Age it was Vicus Dianensis, then Mons Damarum and
eventually Mondaino, and was an important political
centre of the Malatesta that divided the territory
from the land of the Montefeltro. Porta Marina leads
to the most picturesque quarters of the town, that in
August are home to the famous historical recollection
of the Palio del Daino. The local museums gives
visitors the possibility to gain precious insights into
the geological history of the city, while the Arboreto,
a magical place that develops few kilometres far
from the city centre, is home to a park and the related
centre of environmental documentation, a theatre
and two guest quarters
Montefiore Conca
The imposing Malatesta Fortress dominates the valley
of the river Conca and the city’s picturesque medieval
old town, while lush woods and glorious countryside
encircle the lush surrounding area and boast sweeping
views of the coastline and sea. The castle was
used by the members of the Malatesta Family as a
military structure, a summer residence and a game
preserve, and often hosted illustrious personalities,
such as popes and emperors. During this golden
age, the village was enriched with beautiful palaces,
churches and monasteries, whose ancient vestiges
still pepper the surrounding area.
Sant’Agata Feltria
Its fairy-tale atmosphere and legendary aspect make
this village, that extends halfway between the valleys
of the rivers Savio and Marecchia, one of the
most characteristic centres of the Montefeltro, that
is scattered with outstanding cultural, naturalistic,
spiritual and food and wine itineraries. Since the end
of the nineteenth century, the village has been owned
by different feudal landlords, such as Malatesta,
Montefeltro and Fregoso, who gave the Fortress its
X-century name when it was totally restored by
Giorgio Martini in 1474. Under the rule of the Fregoso
Family, the old town was embellished with plenty
of new buildings, such as the seventeenth-century
Palazzone, that is home to the wooden Angelo
Mariani Theatre, one of the oldest theatres in Italy.
Sant’Agata boasts an outstanding concentration of
fascinating sights and important historical centres,
such as the fortified village of Petrella Guidi.
San Leo
An important city of art that was even mentioned
by Dante in his Divine Comedy, San Leo is the heart
of Montefeltro. The extraordinary position of its old
town, that is situated on the top of an impressive
rock spur overlooking the underlying valley, made it
an important military and religious centre, as evidenced
by plenty of precious architectural and artistic
masterpieces of great value. Its well-preserved old
town, that still retains the original aspect, is dotted
with splendid Romanesque buildings, such as the
Parish Church, Cathedral and Tower, and Renaissance
palaces, such as Palazzo Mediceo, that is now the
seat of the local Museum of Sacred Art, Palazzo Della
Rovere and the residence of the Counts Severini-
Nardini. The highest point of the rock spur is topped
by the city’s imposing Fortress, that was designed by
Francesco di Giorgio Martini, and hosted Giuseppe
Balsamo, the so-called Count Cagliostro, from 1791
up to his death in 1795.
Verucchio
The fascinating Malatesta capital of Verucchio
is idyllically set on the top of the local rocky hills
that overlook the sea. Its imposing Fortress was the
seat of the glorious vicissitudes experienced by the
members of the Malatesta Family, such as Mastin
Vecchio (that was even mentioned by Dante), and
was therefore dubbed the “Cradle of the Malatesta”.
Its medieval town layout bears witness to the important
role the Lords played in its growth. Between
the X and the VI century B.C., before the domination
of the Malatesta, Verucchio hosted the great
Villanovan civilization, that preceded the Etruscan
one. Extensive archaeological excavations unearthed
plenty of important necropolises and settlements
that hosted extraordinary finds and remains,
such as precious jewels, furniture, weapons
and tools that are currently hosted in the Civic
Archaeological Museum of the ancient Monastery
of the Augustinian Friars.
1. San Leo Fortress, fortress of the
Montefeltro