SANTARCANGELO
Ancient Romanesque Church of Saint Michael Archangel
The suggestive early Christian church, recalling the Byzantine style, probably dating back to the VI/VII century A.C., is surrounded by pines in a maritime environment. The Pagus Acervolano rose from the ruins of an ancient civil centre (the Latin word acervi means heaps of broken brick wastes). Here there were in fact in the Roman period several brick kilns.

Sferisterio
An open space at the foot of the boundary wall of the town of 1447. The game of the Tamburello is still played here.

Marchi's Traditional Fabric Printing Workshop
It dates back to 1633: here the ancient rust-printed fabrics Romagna are still produced, and the Mangano, a large wooden wheel, provides the necessary energy to iron them.

Collegiata Church
This church was built between 1744 and 1758, on designs by the architect Giovan Francesco Buonamici from Rimini; inside three precious paintings: on the left side by the entrance the picture of 1635 by Guido Cagnacci, who was born in Santarcangelo; in the transept on the right a crucifix of the XIVth century Rimini School and on the left an altar painting by Jacobello di Bonomo, of 1385.

Museum of the Armlet Ball Game and of the Tamburello
There is a collection of gaming tools and photos of different ages, that testify the evolution of the ancient sport in the modern game of the tamburello, which is still played today in the underlying Sferisterio.

The Malatesta Castle
Property of the Colonna family. The part built by Galeotto Malatesta in 1247 doesn't exist anymore, the square tower is the most ancient part and it dates back to 1386, while the present structure is due to Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta in 1447, according to the inscribed stone beside the main entrance. The inner part, which has benn altered many times over the centuries, consists of a paved courtyard, a stone water cistern and three rooms with furniture from the XVIth century.

Monache Square
The following buildings face the square: the Monastery of Saints Catherine and Barbara, reconstructed in 1738, Palace Cenci of 1609, the Bell Tower of 1893. It is also possible to visit a private cave.

Fabbri Street
Here you will find the door to another cave, example of other 150 private caves carved from the sandstone with which the hill is honeycombed, which create a real underground town. The entry of the cave is in Ruggeri street.

Ganganelli Square
The triumphal Arch, erected in 1777 in honour of Pope Clement XIV, presents at the top the Papal steles and the imposing heraldic arms. In front of the Arch, on the right side the Town Hall, built in the XIXth century on designs by Giovanni Benedettini, who drew inspiration from the plan presented by the famous architect Luigi Poletti.

Museum of the Usages and Customs of the People of Romagna
"The Hut of the Memory", as the poet-dramatist Tonino Guerra defined the museum, hosts tools and objects of our popular culture and country-folk tradition. Divided into 15 sections, the museum proposes a symbolic-ritual itinerary of the various working cycles.


SAN LEO

The rocky pinnacle of San Leo soars high and lofty above the foothills of the central Italian Apennines, not far inland from the city of Rimini.

The town itself is a cluster of ancient cottages nestled between a magnificent medieval fortress and a prominent watchtower which casts its inquisitive gaze on the whole surrounding territory, and is the protagonist of an estraordinary number of legends.

The peak of San Leo was already of religious importance in far off prehistoric times, and when Saint Leone, after whom the town is named, arrived here in the IIIrd century A.D., he decided that it would be the ideal place from which to start the conversion of the local population towards Christianity. The new religion spread rapidly, and the town became the centre of the diocese of Montefeltro, which was the ancient name of San Leo.

In the subsequent period of wars and disputes between Goths and Byzantines, and Lombards and Franks, San Leo consolidated its reputation as an impregnablestronghold, and even became trough somewhat reluctantly, the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, in 963, when King Berengard II, who had sought refuge in the minuscle fortress town, defended it during the siege of Otto I, Emperor of Germany.

At the beginning of the XIIIth century, San Leo passed into the hands of the Montefeltro family.

This same family later became the rulers of the city of Urbino, and played an important role in the development of Renaissance civilization. In this period the castle and fortification were enlarged and enriched, mainly under the supervision of Francesco di Giorgio MArtini, military architect of the Dukes of Urbino. The Italian Renaissance historian Bembo described the fortres as an "admirable implement of war".

The political and military importance of San Leo declined when, in 1631, with the extinction of the Montefeltro family, the town and the surrounding territory became property of the Papal State. The castle was trasformed into a prison, and one of its most famous "guests" was Giuseppe Balsamo, better known as Count Cagliostro, famous figure of XVIIIth century intrigues of court, imprisoned here until death.

The XVIIIth century additions to the structure have now been removed, and the fortress has been restored to its original Renaissance splendour, and is without doubt a most interesting and singular example of military architecture. It is the seat of the Civic Museum and Art Gallery, and the already rich collection of exhibits on display is in continual expansion.

The cell of the castle's period as a prison are also well worth visiting. San Leo offers a breathtaking panorama which rangers from the summit of Mount Fumaiolo to the distant coast, and takes in woods, rocky cliffs, ravines, scattered countryside towns and isolated hamlets and homesteads.

Within the boundaries of the well-preserved XVIth century centre of San Leo there is a unique complex of religious monuments which fully jutify the town's claim to be an important centre of the architectural arts. The Parish Church (the "Pieve"), the Cathedral (the "Duomo"), the Watchtower (the "Torre campanaria") and the Convent of Sant' Igne illustrate the whole cycle of Romanesque architecture, from the late Basilicate style of the "Pieve" to the first signs of the Gothic style to be found in the "Duomo" and the Convent.

The XIVth and XVth century mansions which line the main Piazza are adorned with marble inscriptions and noble coats of arms. The Piazza was, and still is, the principal meeting place of the town, and between the sparkling murmur of the fountain and the fluttering of pigeon wings one can detect all the sounds and smells of the town, especially the rich and delicious odours of the excellent local cousine which are waftes from a myriad open doors and windows.

San Leo offers the tourist who has "time to stand and stare" an ornately suggestive atmosphere of beauty, peace and serenity.

A day spent discovering San Leo is not a day wasted.

www.comune.san-leo.ps.it


RAVENNA
Ravenna, a city unique in the world. During the 5th century it was the last capital of the Western Empire and heir to the greatness of Rome, and down through the ages it has played a leading role in European history. It became the chief city of the Roman-Barbarian kingdom under Theodoric the Goth and subsequently the seat of the Exarchate after being re-conquered by the Eastern Empire. Its splendid monuments bear witness to its role as political, commercial and artistic centre of a succession of different civilizations.

The imperial Roman period and the mid 6th century period when it was the hub of the Eastern Empire have especially left their mark on Ravenna: an extraordinary complex of basilicas, baptistries and mausoleums in which the harmony of classical construction blends with the magnificent splendour of precious marbles and rich Byzantine mosaic decoration. Side by side with these, further attractions include the architectural heritage of the period of Venetian dominion (Piazza del Popolo and the Rocca Brancaleone), the splendid Renaissance cloisters and the 16th century Classense Library.

In June and July this forms the backdrop to the extraordinary evocativeness of Ravenna Festival.

The city that inspired Dante, Boccaccio, Byron and Klimt is surrounded by the grandiose beauty of its natural environment: the magnificent pinewood inland and a sandy lido that stretches kilometres along the Adriatic. There are no fewer than nine seaside resorts, equipped with every comfort and characterized by a tradition of hospitality and touristic organization that is well known throughout Europe.

www.turismo.ravenna.it


GRADARA

Between Marche and Romagna
The Frtress of Gradara and its fortified Hamlet are one of the best preserved medieval structures in Italy and the walls that protect the castle (the most external is almost 800 meters long) make the Fortress one of the most impressive buildings.

The Castle stands on a hill 142 meters above sea level and the keep - the main tower- 30 meters high, dominates the whole valley; its offers a beautiful sight on the sea (northwards) and on the Mount Carpegna (westwards). Nevertheless much more suggestive is the sight of the Hamlet during the night, when a very enchanting light wraps up Gradara in a magical atmosphere full of charm, mistery and romanticism.

Thanks to its fortunate position Gradara has benn an important crossroads of trade and people since ancient times. During the Middle Ages the Fortress was theatre of wars between the Pope's troops and the unruly family clans of the territory; nowadays, being so close to the seaside, it's one of the most important touristic inland destinations in the beautiful Riviera of Marche and Romagna.

The nearby sea and the pleasant hilly landscape contribute, as a suggestive background, to make the stay in Gradara extremely agreeable and full of attractions in every season; it's the ideal destination for families (very good restaurants and inns offer their local cuisine, reductions for children, a great choice of handicraft and many other articles), for a cultural tourism and for young people.

Gradara and the Art
Gradara offers to art lovers works of great interest. The City Picture-Gallery situated in the Castle counts various Late Renaissance works of important painters such as Giovanni Santi (Raphael's father) and Andrea dell Robbia, the author of the wonderful glass-terracotta altar-piece in the Noble Chapel. In some rooms are still visible frescos of the time between the 15th and the 17th century, as those in Lucrezia Borgia's room, that represent allegories of wedding scenes, and the Puttos Room.

Of considerable interest are also the hamlet churches like the church of Giovanni Battista in medieval style, totally rebuilt in the 18th century, that still conserves a precious wooden crucifix of the 15th century.

Events and Cultural Activities
The evocative and captivating atmosphere of the middle age village of Gradara and its Fortress offers the scenery for several events and cultural activities. The rich schedule of the summer shows presents many interesting options: from the picturesque "Opening of the Doors" of the village to the Evening Visits of the Fortress. The highlight will be, however,  "The siege of the Castle" operated in the third week of July.

This unique event recalls the terrible siege of Gradara of 1446, when Francesco Sforza helped by the great Federico da Montefeltro, tried - unsuccesfully - to conquer the Fortress defended by his ruler: Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, Lord of Rimini.

The battle will be reproduced using impressing fire works' show and musical background, all followed by a night long party which will fill the village with artists of all kinds and...tourists, all together to celebrate the great victory of Gradara.

www.gradara.org


SAN MARINO

The Republic of San Marino is located in Central Italy, 10 km far from Adriatic Sea; road connections with Italy only.

Changing of the Guard
The Guardia di Rocca is on dutyat the Palazzo Pubblico in Piazza della Libertà. The changing of the guard ceremony takes place between 08h 30 and 18h 30, every hour on the half hour, during the summer month, and more exactly, from the half of May to the end of September. The Guardia di Rocca   was estabilished in 1754 and currently consists of two units: the Uniformed Unit and the Artillery Company. The Uniformed Unit is entrusted with law and order in the country and along State Borders, as well as in the various institutional bodies. The Artillery Company performs ceremonial duties and on National Holidays. The uniform used by the Guardia di Rocca for sentry and guard changing duties is very attractive, with dark-green double-breasted jacket with white and red braiding, red trousers with green band, kepì cap with red pon-pon and white gaiters. The Ceremonial Uniform features gold epaulets and leather helmet with white and red ostrich feathers.

State Museum
The State Museum, which is located al Palazzo Pergami, collects archaeological and artistic witnesses regarding both history and legend of the Republic of San Marino. It includes an archaeological section with finds dating back to a period ranging from the Neolithic Period to the Middle Ages, as well as the art gallery with paintings of the 14th - 19th centuries, among which works by Guercino, M. Loves, E. Sirani, P. Batoni stand out.

Guaita Fortress (First Tower)
First Fortress built in the 11th century and restored in different time. Some cells were used as a prison. To te left of the entrance stands the Chapel, dedicated to St. Barbara.

Cesta Fortress (Second Tower)
The Second Fortress, dating back to the 13th century. The fortress stands on the highest peak of Mount Titano and houses the Museum of Historical Weapons from the 13th to the 19th century.

Montale Fortress (Third Tower)
Third Fortress. It played an important role during struggles with the Malatesta family. Access is restricted to the outside of the fortress which offers a spectacular view.

www.visitsanmarino.com