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Forli - San Mercuriale
From the sea to the hills, from the mountains to the thermal treatment centres to art: in the green heart of Romagna visitors will discover exceptional treasures and unusual corners.
Located in the east side of the Emilia Romagna region, the province of Forlì-Cesena extends eastwards to the Adriatic coast.
This area presents a very changing landscape, ranging from broad hills to mountains with the Forlì and Cesena Apennine and to the sea of the Adriatic coast.
The very central position of the city on the Via Emilia, and the fact that it is surrounded by such varied landscapes, has over the years made this Province a centre of trade and a place to conquer, open in its communication.
The province offers a continuous discovery of villages and fortresses, springs and waterfalls, places in which it is possible to live surrounded by nature or have an entertaining and active holiday.
In other words, it is a varied land where even the most attentive visitor will not be disappointed.
The urban architecture of Forlì speaks of its history which left clear signs in the city.
The centre of the city's life is Aurelio Saffi Square with a monument dedicated to him. Here one notices the mark of modernity left by the heavy intervention of the Fascist period. The City Hall has instead medieval origins, while the Palace of the Potestà dates back to the 15th century.
The monument which most distinguishes the city is the Basilica of San Mercuriale, an old abbey with an impressive bell tower in Romanesque style, and various works of art inside. Not so far from here is the Cathedral which was subjected to several repairs around 1970.
One should not miss to take a stroll along Corso Diaz, Corso Garibaldi, Corso della Repubblica and Corso Mazzini, which all cross the city, each one with its peculiarities but all finely united by a formal balance.
Forlì is also a foremost place of culture with many museums, such as the A. Santarelli Archaeological Civic Museum, the Civic Picture Gallery, the Pergoli Romagna Ethnographic Museum, Villa Saffi, the Aurelio Saffi Museum of the Risorgimento and the Romagna Theatre Museum.
Moving toward the countryside one should visit the ancient Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie, also called of Fornò, rebuilt during the 1500s. Its church is considered one of the most particular circular churches of Italy.
In Cesena it is important to see Piazza del Popolo, the city civil centre in which one can admire Francesco Masini's sixteenth-century fountain, and the City Hall dating back to the 14th century.
In the vicinity is the Malatestian Fortress, surrounded by a superb park. It houses the Museum of Agriculture, one of the most important of the region. The Cathedral is said to be built on a Roman temple and is the central point of the city, whilst the Malatestian Library is a precious trove of humanistic culture.
Moving on from Cesena, one may choose to visit Longiano, a medieval village surrounded by two boundary walls with three gateways. There is also a fortress and Venetian basin at its entrance in memory of the Serenissima's short domination.
Halfway between Forlì and Cesena is the town of Forlimpopoli. Its imposing fortress is also the site of the Civic Archaeological Museum. The name of the town is tied to Pellegrino Artusi, author of the first book which codified Italian cuisine. His “Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well” was first published more than one hundred years ago.
In Montepoggiolo, near the Terra del Sole, there is one of the richest prehistoric sites in northern Italy with thousand of stone finds of the first men. It was discovered in 1983, in the Cà Belvedere locality.
Strictly connected to the sea, in a mixture of gaiety and hospitality, is Cesenatico. See the fishing boats and houses of Porto Canale, whose structure was designed by Leonardo da Vinci in 1502 on behalf of Cesare Borgia. Not to be missed are also Savignano sul Rubicone, Gatteo and San Mauro Pascoli.
The possibility of practising sport activities such as trekking, horse-back tourism, mountain biking and cycle tourism complete the beauty of the land of Forlì and Cesena.
Bird-watching in Four Towns Coastal Oasis is a fast growing tourist attraction.
Downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing and hiking are practised on the Monte Fumaiolo, one of the highest of the Tosco-Romagnolo Apennine. An occasion to spend unforgettable days in the hospitality of the mountain people.
The most important thermal centres, pearls of the Province of Forlì and Cesena, are without any doubt Castrocaro Terme,Terra del Sole, Bagno di Romagna and Bertinoro. Their modern and well-equipped spas and the green of the surrounding lands give a delightful boost to personal care and wellness.
For sea lovers, between Rimini and Ravenna is to be found the important seaside resort of Cesenatico.
The Wine and Dine Route through the Forlì and Cesena Hills is an itinerary around different towns. The flavours and colours of the typical wine and food are accompanied by displays of local craftsmanship, festivals, folk traditions and sport activities in a land dedicated to tourist reception.
There are several carnivals and folk festivals.
The 'Suoni del Tempo' is an internationally renowned festival of concerts which takes place during the summer time in Cesena.
In Cesenatico, the International Sail Regatta during the Easter time welcomes in the spring while the Garibaldi Carnival recalls the passage of the Hero of the Two Worlds in these lands.
Forlì is where the Festival of the Madonna sul Fuoco takes place. It features music and gastronomical stands and the typical aniseed Piadina.
Forlimpopoli with the Festival of the Segavecchia introduces the arrival of spring through a show of many colours.
In Castrocaro Terme takes place an event called 'From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance', based on historical recollections. Terra del Sole hosts instead the Palio of S. Reparata, where two districts of the town compete in a tug-of-war and with crossbows.
In the province of Forlì and Cesena it is possible to taste all the typical specialities of Romagna, such as stuffed cappelletti, passatelli, pasticcio alla romagnola and tagliatelle.
Furthermore, sardoncini, anchovies, paganelli, mackerels, mazzola or canocchie represent a wide variety of fish dishes the Cesenatico area offers in large quantity and high quality.
Pizzas come in thousands of varieties, also excellent with the seafood. The famous Piadina is served with squacquerone cheese, progenitor of the stracchino, and salami, another duo nobody has to miss.
Among the typical wines are: Albana, Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Pagadebit and the Cagnina.
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