Rimini Tourist Attractions

In the center of the old town of Rimini is the Piazza Cavour, in which are the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall, 1562), the Palazzo dell'Arengo (begun 1204), in Romanesque and Gothic style. Worth visiting is the Castello on the Piazza Malatesta (15th century), which now houses the Museo delle Culture Extra-europa. A market is held on this square on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

From Piazza Cavour in Rimini the broad Corso di Augusto runs northwest to the Ponte di Tiberio, a Roman bridge completed in A.D. 20, during the reign of Tiberius.

Southeast of Piazza Cavour in Rimini stands the Tempio Malatestiano, a 13th century Gothic structure remodeled in Early Renaissance style in 1447-60. The facade was designed by Leon Battista Alberti, who drew his inspiration from the Arch of Augustus, and it was the first structure to be based on ancient models at the very beginning of the Renaissance. The interior is finely decorated with frescoes by Piero della Francesca, depicting Sigismondo Malatesta kneeling before St Sigismondo. There is also a painted cross attributed to Giotto.

At the southeast end of the Corso di Augusto in Rimini rises the Arch of Augustus (Arco d'Augusto), a triumphal arch built in 27 B.C. (the oldest one known) to commemorate the construction of the Via Flaminia.

Near Viserba the miniature village "Italia in Miniatura" is worth visiting. There are more than 200 attractions, miniature imitations, among which mountains, lakes, castles and famous squares (e.g. the Campo dei Miracoli of Pisa). 3km/2mi southeast, on the road to Riccione, is Miramare, also a bathing resort, with a large airport.

Between Rimini and Riccione is another attraction, the amusement park "Fiabilandia", with a great choice (Show Boat, King Kong, Fort Apache, water games, Baby Park, railroad, theater, etc.).

8km/5mi southeast of Rimini is Riccione (12m/40ft; pop. 32,000), one of Italy's most popular holiday resorts, with thermal springs.

The small spa and seaside resort of Misano Adriatico is situated about 4km/2.5mi southeast of Riccione.

4km/2.5mi down the coast from Misano Adriatico is Cattolica (10m/33ft; pop. 16,000), a seaside resort since the mid 19th century, particularly in favor with German visitors. There are many villas, boulevards and fine shops. The beach, 2km/1.25mi long, has good facilities for visitors. The town offers a rich choice for active holidays: sailing, wind-surfing, water-skiing, crazy golf, tennis, riding, bowling, etc. There are concerts and other events.

20km/12mi northwest of Rimini is Cesenatico (4m/13ft; 20,000), an old fishing village. The little town is traversed by a harbor canal, part of which is now a floating maritime museum, the Museo della Marineria, consisting of old fishing boats with painted sails.

8km/5mi northwest of Cesenatico is Cervia (3m/10ft; 25,000), one of the most elegant seaside resorts in Romagna, the northern part of the Emilia-Romagna. The town has a broad beach of fine sand and modern thermal baths. The old town with the cathedral and bishop's palace was founded in the 18th century.

Beyond the canal harbor is the suburb of Milano Marittima, beautifully situated on the edge of a pinewood, with an excellent beach and thermal (Fango) baths.

Leave Rimini on S.S. 258, which runs up the broad valley of the Marecchia and in 16km/10mi passes below the little town of Verucchio (333m/1,099ft; pop. 6,000), with a Malatesta castle (magnificent views), lying off the road to the left. In another 3km/2mi a road goes off on the left to San Marino (frontier in 500m/550yd), from which it is possible to return, making an attractive round trip. The main road continues up the valley to (4km/2.5mi) the little village of Villa Nuova, where a road branches off up a side valley, climbs steeply and comes in another 9km/5.5mi to San Leo (583m/1,924ft; pop. 3,000), situated on a conical hill, with a massive castle (picture gallery), a Romanesque cathedral and a ninth century parish church.