The Rimini countryside Rimini, tourist capital of the world, began its life as a seaside resort around mid 19th century.
The town, which lies in the beautiful area where the Padan Plain is surrounded by the Apennines, is on the Adriatic Sea. This land, which was formed by dunes and valleys, would regularly be swamped by the sea on stormy days; the seawater reaching far into the sandy areas, and all around the thick bayberry bushes that thrived in the sand.
Discover the marvels Rimini has to offer on a coach tour with a guide to accompany you through the scenery and the flavours of our land!
The city of Rimini lies between two valleys: the Marecchia Valley and the Conca Valley. In between, the Marano torrent flows, forming a natural river mouth, along whose banks and cane thickets, hundreds of swallows hide.
Inland from the sea, rolling hills shelter small ancient hill towns, hamlets and castles, fertile countryside and natural landscapes.
The Marecchia Valley, which is crossed by the road that leads to Arezzo in Tuscany, is characterized by fortresses and castles that bring the scenery to life.
Alberghi Tipici Riminesi organize cultural and food and wine tours around our area. RIMINI: ART, HISTORY, AND CULTURERimini's soul is ancient. Its squares and streets are full of historical sights that span the era from the 5th century B.C., when the first population known as the “Villanoviani” settled in this area, to the Romans, who founded the colony known as "Ariminum" in 268 B.C.
The words JULIUS CAESAR pronounced in 49 B.C. “the die is cast” as he crossed the Rubicon, still seem to echo round the streets.
Rimini was first adorned with monuments like the ARCH OF AUGUSTUS in 27 B.C. The arch was built at the end of the Roman FLAMINIA road, to exalt the PAX AUGUSTEA period.
It is made of Istrian stone, and with its high base, split columns, Corinthian capitals, and tympanum, it resembles a temple.
Statues of the Gods, enclosed in the clypei, exalt the grandeur of Rome and the power of Augustus.
The TIBERIUS BRIDGE, which was built in A.D. 21 in ISTRIAN stone, consists of five arches that rest on pillars with breakwater spurs which are set at an oblique angle to the bridge's axis, to reduce the force of impact of the current.
Besides the paved streets in the old town, the forum, the theatre, and the amphitheatre, a mention must also go to the most recent archaeological finding the DOMUS DEL CHIRURGO (the surgeon's house) built in the II Century A.D. It stands in Piazza Ferrari and is a fine example dating back to Imperial Rome with its wonderful mosaics and “tools of the trade”, which are housed in the City Museum.
Between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period, Rimini was governed by the MALATESTA family. This family also ruled over other Italian cities in the Romagna and Marche regions in particular, enriching their lands with castles, fortresses, town walls, and the wonderful MALATESTA TEMPLE, which was erected by SIGISMONDO PANDOLFO MALATESTA in 1447 to glorify himself, his family, and the city of Rimini, thus gaining everlasting fame.
The TEMPLE is also an acclamation of its architect LEON BATTISTA ALBERTI, whom drew inspiration from the shapes of the Roman triumphal arch, as may be seen in the majestic church façade, and who “wished to turn the sacred dwelling into a place of philosophical meditation” (tempus loquendi, tempus tacendi).
The interior of the church was embellished by MATTEO DE’ PASTI and the amazing sculptor AGOSTINO di DUCCIO. Though incomplete as it lacks a cupola, the building is a veritable architectural masterpiece with which Sigismondo wished to portray himself as a Renaissance man, lord of his land (Rimini and Romagna), ambassador to the Pope, captain of the Holy Church, feudal lord of the Holy Roman Emperor, and a worthy and victorious general.
The Malatesta domination enriched the region of Romagna with castles and pleasant towns, turning it into a land of rolling hills, from which the sea and mountains can always be seen, as many Italian poets have declared.
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