Beyond sleep surgery…
the sea
the nightlife
the culture
Tourist information
HISTORY
Rimini, the old and the new.
Founded by the Romans in 268 BC, it was under the rule of the Malatesta family, towards the end of the XIII
century, that Rimini became a hub of culture and art. Within the city beat two vibrant hearts: the historic centre
with its quaint little boroughs and the attractive marina that leads the way to no less than 15km of beach that
have been attracting tourists from all over Europe since the early 1900's.
TEMPIO MALATESTIANO
Malatesta Temple is the cathedral church of the
city and no visit to Rimini would be complete
without seeing this extraordinary example of
Renaissance architecture, commissioned by
Sigismondo Malatesta and designed by Leon
Battista Alberti. Unfortunately the church was
never completed, but it houses two Italian
masterpieces: the first version of The Crucifix by
Giotto located on the altar and in the second
right chapel, the famous fresco by Piero della
Francesca showing Sigismondo Malatesta in the
presence of St. Sigismondo.
TIBERIUS BRIDGE
Construction of this impressive bridge over the
river Marecchia began under the reign of
Emperor Augustus and was completed by his
successor Tiberius. Built entirely out of Istrian
stone, it features five Doric style arches and is
one of the finest examples of the few
remaining Roman bridges. It marks the
beginning of the via Emilia and stands at the
end of the town's main street (corso
d'Augusto).
ARCH OF AUGUSTUS
Built in 27 AC in honour of Octavian Augustus Caesar, this is the oldest of the surviving Roman arches and stands
where the two ancient roads of Rimini, via Flaminia and via Emilia, meet. A splendid construction in Istrian stone, the
arch was recently restored to his former beauty.
PIAZZA CAVOUR
This main piazza plays host to an array of striking buildings such as Palazzo dell'Arengo, Palazzo del Podestà (housing
the town council offices), the Old Fish Market and the Galli Theatre. In the centre of this medieval multitude is the
impressive "Pigna" fountain which has been completely restored to its original working order.
MUSEUMS
Museo della Città - City Museum Via L. Tonini, n. 1 - Tel. 054121482 www.museicomunali.it
Museo degli Sguardi - Ethnographic Museum Via delle Grazie, 12 - Tel. 0541704421 www.museicomunali.it
GALLERIES
Fabj Basaglia Gallery Via Soardi, 19 0541 785646 www.fabjbasaglia.com
Proposte D'Arte Via Saffi Aurelio, 61 0541 020406 Franceschini Corso D'Augusto, 208 0541 21100
HISTORICAL BUILDINGS
Palazzo del Podestà, Palazzo dell'Arengo, Palazzo Gambalunga, Palazzo Garampi
CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES
Architecture of the past
CASTLES
By the 8th century, this area was already known as the "region of the castles". Crossed by a number of important
communication routes, it was scattered with towers, fortresses, citadels, and castles, imposing examples of military
architecture.
Many of these structures still stand today and can be used to host different events: seminars, exhibits, gatherings,
and medieval dinners.
• Castello di Gradara (The Gradara Castle), where (as recounted in Dante's Inferno) the unhappy lovers, Paolo and
Francesca, were killed by her husband, Gianciotto;
• Castello di Montebello (The Montebello Castle), where the ghost of Azzurrina still wanders. The Castle also has a
museum and a very nice wine bar, which is perfect for intimate dinners;
• Castello di San Leo (The Castle of Saint Leo),
at the top of a storm-proof cliff where Cagliostro
died in prison. Today there is an arms museum;
• Rocca di Montefiore Conca
(The Fortess of Montefiore Conca - 1340)
with its extremely valuable frescoes that can host
exhibits and festivals;
• the imposing Fortress of Verucchio (12th century);
• Palazzo Marcosanti, in Poggio Berni, which can
host private gatherings and parties.
PARISH AND ABBEYS
Sacred artwork is perhaps a bit more discreet in the areas inland of Rimini, but if you look you'll see that there are a
plethora of beautiful works tucked away in a dense network of parish churches and monasteries, spread out over
the plains and hills alike.
Take, for example, the Romanesque monastery of Santarcangelo di Romagna, which dates back to the 6th century
A.D. or the sanctuary of Madonna di Saiano, along the Marecchia, which was built in the 17th century over the ruins
of a pagan temple. The bronze door is the work of the contemporary sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro.
Then there is the pre-Romanesque abbey of San Leo, which lies next to the Duomo, in itself one of the most
important examples of Romanesque architecture in Central Italy.
The Monastero delle Clarisse (Monastery of the Poor Clares) in the Republic of San Marino is an elegant structure
that is used to host exhibits, but it can also be used to hold conventions and seminars.
SHOPPING
Take a stroll through the Riviera's shopping havens.
Pleasant, tree-lined avenues, like Viale Ceccarini, cleverly coined the "sitting-room of Riccione", offer a wide
variety of bars, restaurants and sophisticated shops boasting the best of Italian designers such as Armani, Gucci,
Pomellato, Dolce & Gabbana, and Valentino.
San Marino is a true shopper's paradise. Thanks to its tourist incentives, you will find excellent products at absolutely
unbeatable prices.
Quality shopping at affordable prices. Sounds interesting? Then pay a visit to the Rimini Riviera's factory shops.
You'll find the biggest names from clothing to footwear: Alberta Ferretti, Gilmar, Calzature Sergio Rossi, Pollini,
Casadei, Valleverde, Gimmi Baldinini, Vicini and Zanotti.
HANDMADE PRODUCTS
The region's typical handmade product is
a rust-decorated fabric, created with an ageold, secret technique, passed down from one
generation to the next. There is also a vast
selection of charming wrought iron goods and
ceramics that make the perfect souvenir.
FOOD AND WINE
Good food is truly a pleasure for us, and we want our guests to enjoy it too.
For us, eating means happiness, and it also means pleasure. We take great care and pride in preparing our traditional dishes.
Every year we host a seemingly infinite number of mouth-watering gastronomic festivals in our region. There's even one
dedicated to herbs and natural foods, which is held in Saludecio.
The cooking of the Riviera di Romagna is a blend of two separate and distinct traditions: that of the sea, of the fishermen
who have been harvesting the delectable treats of the Adriatic Sea for centuries now, and that of the peasants who, in quite
a different manner, have taken their sustenance from the products they cultivated on their rich and fertile lands.
Our cooking has also been shaped by the blending of traditions from Romagna and the bordering regions of the Marches
and Montefeltro.
You'll find that our cuisine is simple and full of flavour and is best accompanied by the high-quality wines of our hills - red
Sangiovese, white Trebbiano, and then, of course, Albana, Cagnina, Cerbio.…well, you get the picture.
TYPICAL DISHES
Homemade pasta such as tagliatelle, cappelletti, tortelli, ravioli,
strozzapreti, and passatelli (a typical peasant soup). Grilled
meats and fish - the famous "rustida", and soups, such as the
typical fish broth that is the speciality of the Adriatic coast.
Salami and other cold pork meats and vegetables, served with
piada, an unleavened, flat, circular bread, which is eaten hot.
TYPICAL AND LOCAL PRODUCTS
DOC wines and extra virgin olive oil are the most representative
products, which are flanked by pasta dishes, meat, cheese,
flatbread and then the sweets, honey and liqueurs.
With its multitude of farms and wineries, oil mills and dairies,
culinary delights and accommodation to suit every budget, a
trip to Rimini is an authentic Italian experience.
Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori dei Colli di Rimini » www.stradadeivinidirimini.it
Oro Giallo (salone internazionale Olio di oliva) » www.orogiallorimini.it
Formaggio di Fossa » www.agraria.it/ilfossa
Piadina and Romagna cuisine » www.riviera.rimini.it
Search restaurants, taverns, wine bars » www.riminiturismo.it
LEISURE
Rimini: vibrant, active, friendly and experienced in accommodating millions of tourists all year round
The Rimini Riviera is Italy's pleasure capital: offering both reckless and relaxing days on the beach and crazy
clubbing nights.
Our region has a greater concentration of theme parks than any other part of Italy or even Europe. The Riviera sets
the latest trends, like turning our beaches into outdoor fitness centres.
We have something to suit all tastes, including alternative museums and original collections. And of course, there's
great shopping too, and not just in the sophisticated shops of the old town centre and on the renowned avenues of
the city, but also directly from factory shops, offering unbeatable prices. In addition, our rich handicraft tradition will
ensure that you go home with some unique souvenirs.
Many of these theme parks can be used for unusual post-convention gatherings, fun incentives, team building
activities, and gala evenings.
SPAS AND WELLNESS
Rimini: The Istituto Talassoterapico. A world-renowned centre which carries on the tradition of the Centro
Idroterapico Marino, founded in Rimini over a century ago.
Riccione: le Terme. Greatly enjoyed since the time of the Romans, the thermal baths are among the top five Italian
institutes for mineral water and inhalation therapy. Located in a park covering 45,000m², the institute has a private
beach and swimming pool and a centre for thermal aesthetic medicine.
San Marino: the Centro Mességué. Located within the Grand Hotel. The centre offers herbal-based therapeutic and
aesthetic wellness programmes, relaxing strolls, and massages, using the therapeutic techniques of the famous
French herbalist Maurice Mességué.
Many hotels have incorporated Wellness Centres and a number of parks along the Riviera are equipped with fitness
amenities.