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The Marecchia River Valley and the Malatesta Fortresses
...38 km route
From Bellaria-Igea Marina drive towards Santarcangelo di Romagna, situated on a low ridge, between the River Uso valley and that of the River Marecchia. The road that winds its way up the valley, crosses a green stretch of countryside and brings you to Poggio Berni. Deviating slightly to the right, a scenic roads leads up to the splendid fortresses of Torriana and Montebello, which can already be seen from far off. Returning down to the Marecchia Valley, the road crosses the river and reaches Verucchio, also built on a rocky crag.
Culture and nature
Located at the northernmost point of the Rimini coast, Bellaria-Igea Marina offers visitors a sandy beach, a town park and lots of characteristic meeting spots. Further inland, Santarcangelo di Romagna is a quaint little town with its Parish Church, Malatesta Fortress, Caves and Ethnographic Museum of the traditions and customs of the People of Romagna, one of the major anthropological collections in the area.
Nearby stands Poggio Berni, an ancient possession of the Rimini family of the same name. This was once the site of fortified farmsteads called 'Tombe'.
Continuing along the Marecchia Valley, we come to the Oasis of Torriana - Montebello, where both the vegetation and animal habitat create what is a protected environment and which boasts Fortresses surrounded by interesting legends.
In the Fortress of Torriana, Gianciotto Malastesta, the husband who killed Paolo and Francesca, is said to have been murdered; at Montebello, the legend relives of Azzurrina, the young daughter of Ugolinuccio Malatesta, who disappeared mysteriously while she was playing inside the castle. |
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Visitors can hear 'Laughter, a child playing, 12 bell tolls, the fast beat of a small heart', recorded by Italian radio and TV (RAI) on the day of the summer solstice in 2000. Characteristic features of the Marecchia Valley are the large limestone crags on which fortresses and towers were erected to defend against enemy troops. Today they dominate the magnificent countryside (and are clearly visible from the road that links Verucchio to San Marino). Verucchio, 'the cradle of the Malatesta family', has all the appeal of history and beautiful natural surroundings. Here the refined Villanovian culture once thrived and many artefacts of that age can be seen in the Civic Archaeological Museum. The town also boasts monuments of the late Middle Ages such as the Parish Church and the Franciscan Convent where an enormous 700-year-old cypress tree can be seen. Well worth a visit is the Malatesta Fortress or Rocca del Sasso, which incorporates buildings of different periods that testify to the importance of the town over the centuries.
Food festivals
In May at Bellaria - Igea Marina, the Sagra del 'pinzimonio' (festival dedicated to the typical sauce made of olive oil, pepper and salt into which raw vegetables may be dipped). At Torriana, at the end of July, Scorticata, la collina dei piaceri (the hill of pleasures) with a range of different gastronomic proposals.
In September, always at Torriana, the sweet Honey Festival. In mid-September, the Fair of Santa Croce is staged at Verucchio, with food stands, free tasting and music.
In November, at Santarcangelo di Romagna, the Fair of San Michele, while, to warm the cold winter evenings, there is the Fair of San Martino, often called for fun, the Fira di bec (fair of the cuckolds).
Markets
Igea Marina Friday
Bellaria Wednesday
Santarcangelo di Romagna Monday and Friday
Verucchio Saturday |
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