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The wonders of the Guidi and Malatesta
Roaming around in the open air
This is the province with the greatest variety of landscapes and places to visit; from the coastal plain to the and hilly hinterland and rugged Apennine country.
The roads of the higher areas, often winding and marked by fast-flowing rivers, drop down to the plain, where the going is much easier. Finding accommodation is easy, both along the coast, which offers spacious hotels and every possible amenity, and further inland, where the accommodation is only a little less sophisticated, with small campsites and stopover points, holiday farms, hospitality in old houses and rehabilitated villages.
History and Culture
The district of Forlì and Cesena has had an intense and lively history. The most visible signs are those left by the seigniories of the Guidi (in the higher mountain areas of the Forlì district), of the Ordelaffi and of the Malatesta (in the hilly regions and towards the coast), and by the dominion of the Papal State, shared further west with the Florentine Republic, which likes to call itself Tuscan Romagna. The Florentine dominion, managed with equilibrium and civility, enhanced the area with stately buildings, bridges and roads and distinguished it with the quality of its architecture (like at Terra del Sole, Rocca San Casciano, Bagno di Romagna).
Exceptional are the stately buildings of the plains, such as the imposing Ravaldino Fortress at Forlì, which dates back to the 14th century, the Town Hall, once the home of the Ordelaffi family, the Abbey of San Mercuriale.
Cesena boasts the Malatestiana Fortress, the fortress which today houses the Natural Science Museum, the splendid Malatesta Library, one of the most perfect and best preserved examples of Humanist library, Piazza del Popolo, where the Fontana Masini can be admired, the Town Hall began in 1359 by Cardinal Albornoz, and the great Cathedral. In the hills, great views can be enjoyed from the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte.
Events
The Forlì exhibition centre hosts events of international standing centred on antiques, art and electronics, a trade-fair and a well-known Poultry Fair. Cesena presents an important theatre season in the neo-classic style Bonci Civic Theatre. The famous "Ippodromo del Savio" racecourse organises evening trotting races in July and August. In early May, the Macfrut international fair is staged at nearby Pievesistina, dedicated to fruit and vegetables. Many pre-view performances can be seen at the historical Petrella Theatre of Longiano. At Sarsina, in July and August, Plautus Recitals are staged in the natural amphitheatre formed by the hill of Calbano, in honour of Plautus, who was a native of the town. Many are the events along the coast tied to seafaring traditions, such as The boat crèche in the Harbour-Museum of Cesenatico.
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Sea and Nature
A variety of extraordinary landscapes: sandy coastlines, fertile plains, hills dotted with fortresses and villages, Apennine mountains and crags with valleys carved out by raging rivers like the Bidente, the Rabbi, the Tramazzo, the Montone and the Savio where wild unspoilt nature predominates – woodland, pastures, streams and waterfalls. Most of this upland area is within the National park of the Casentino Forests, Monte Falterona, Campigna, with its protected plants and animals, which attracts tourists in search of the intense atmospheres and silences of a natural environment that invites contemplation as Saint Francis and Saint Romualdo knew well.
It is in this area that the largest variety of trees are to be found: from the hills up to an altitude of eight hundred metres, yoke-elm, hop-hornbeam, turkey oak and maple predominate. Higher up is mixed woodland of linden, hazel, oak and chestnut and forests of beech and evergreen white fir. Worthy of mention inside the park and in the Municipal area of Bagno di Romagna is the Sasso Fratino Nature Reserve, the first to be established in Italy, in 1959. Here wild animals abound with about one hundred species of birds, the wolf, the fox and five different types of hoofed animals.
Fragrances and Flavours
In the countryside of the Cesena-Forlì area, numerous farms produce top-quality product, certified by quality marks that comply with stringent standards. Fresh Fruit such as peaches, pears, apricots, plums, strawberries, persimmons and kiwis are exported all over Europe.
Also of major importance is the processing of fruit and vegetables and the food preservation industry. Bertinoro and Predappio are well-known for their vineyards and fine wines such as Albana, Sangiovese, Cagnina and Pagadebit; not to speak of olives, which find a perfect growing environment in the hills and produce an oil that fears no comparison in terms of fragrance and flavour. Another local speciality is Formaggio di Fossa, the famous cheese of Sogliano. It should never be forgotten that this is the land (Forlimpopoli) where the great chef Pellegrino Artusi was born.
Open-air activities
Widespread throughout Romagna are all water sports and cycling. The gruelling Nove Colli cycling race, which starts and finishes in Cesenatico, has become a 'classic' for all athletes and bikers with a minimum amount of training. Close to Forlì is a golf course, with a splendid view of Bertinoro.
The mountain area, and above all the Casentino Forest Park, is a paradise for trekkers and hikers as well as horse-riders; especially appealing are the excursions along the Apennine ridge at an altitude of one thousand metres.
In the winter months, on the slopes of Monte Falco at Campigna, ski slopes are in operation. Canoeing is practised in the rivers of the valleys, above all in the Savio river and in Lake Quarto.
Click the itineraries above to discover the province of Forlì and Cesena amidst art, culture and nature.
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