The Romagna inland: towns to visit a few km from Cesenatico

RAVENNE

Ravenne is a city of art and culture, city of mosaics, an ancient city that 1600 years ago was capital three times: of the Western Roman Empire, of the Gothic Kingdom of Theodoric and of the Byzantine Empire in Europe. The magnificence of those periods have left a great heritage of monuments in Ravenne: there are 8 buildings which have been declared World Heritage by UNESCO.
The art of mosaics in Ravenna has found its broadest term. Besides, you can walk among the bell towers and monastic cloisters, passing from the Romanesque style to the Gothic one; from the Giotto’s frescoes in Santa Chiara to the baroque apse in Sant’Apollinare Nuovo church; from the testimony of the Dante Alighieri’s last refuge to the palaces and halls that witnessed the loves of Lord Byron.

REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO

The Republic of San Marino is the oldest republic in the world, it has always been considered a symbol of freedom. The reasons for your visit are many, starting from the number of architectural and natural marvels that San Marino possesses. Typical aspects of San Marino are the narrow streets, the small shops, the museums and the towers and walls of its 9 castles, that give to it the typical medieval atmosphere. Thanks to its location and to its shape, San Marino offers a picturesque panorama, that makes it a wonderful balcony on Italy. It is possible to access freely to San Marino, without any passport or customs duties.

BAGNO DI ROMAGNA

Bagno di Romagna is famous for being a spa centre. In 266 B.C. the town was conquered by the Romans and during this very period it became an important spa centre for travellers on the road between Rome and Ravenna. Over the years, Bagno di Romagna was first called Balneum sanctae Mariae and then, during the Renaissance, it enjoyed artistic greatness. Today you can still see several monuments in town. Today Bagno di Romagna is a famous spa resort near the Foreste Casentinesi National Park.

BERTINORO

During medieval times this small village was dominated by the Malatesta family, of Forli, Cesena and Rimini until it became part of the Pontificate Church. It is famous for the production of table grapes and wine grapes, such as Albana grapes. The village has numerous historical treasures such as the San Romano gate, turned towards Forlì and the San Francesco gate, turned towards Polenta. Bertinoro is described as “the balcony of Romagna” due to the enchanting panorama which can be seen.

SANTARCANGELO DI ROMAGNA

There are many reasons why it is worth discovering Santarcangelo: for its strong identity in Romagna, the atmosphere of a big village punctuated by a right rhythm of life, for its architectural beauty made of noble palaces, small houses, alleys and little squares that gave to Santarcangelo the title of “City of Art”, and for its international events as well. Clearly visible in the central Ganganelli square, there is the great triumphal arch erected in 1777 in honor to Pope Clement XIV, citizen of Santarcangelo.

CESENA

Cesena, where you can see Roman and Etruscan traces as well as evidence of the dominion of the Malatesta family. Today Cesena is described as a “Malatestian town” and you can visit the Malatestian Library, the “Sala del Nuti”, the ‘Piana” (the private library of Pope Pius VII), the Municipal Library and the Lapidary Museum, which is part of the Archaeological Museum located at the Cloister of S. Francesco. At the museum you can see exhibits dating back to the prehistoric, Roman and medieval ages. Another monument which is well worth a visit is the Palazzo del Ridotto with the bronze statue of Pius VI, created by Calligari..

LONGIANO

Longiano is not far from the sea and was awarded the “ideal village in Italy” prize in 1991 by Airone magazine with the patronage of the European community.This small village is surrounded by vineyards, fruit orchards and historical and panoramic places which are of great interest to tourists.