FOOD, WINE AND CULTURAL HOLIDAY Your holiday in Riccione can be enriched with exciting excursions to our wonderful inland area to discover the treasures and flavors of Romagna and its surroundings by visiting ancient boroughs, castles, art cities and tasting typical wines and products. We recommend few examples from which you can draw inspiration.
ROMAGNA AND ITS SURROUNDINGS Village of Santarcangelo di Romagna Excursion details Distance from Riccione: Departure: Itinerary:
Return: Minimum number:
26 kilometers 9.30 a.m. from the Hotel located in Riccione Visit to the heart of the historic town of Santarcangelo and to the Tufa Caves Visit to the Ancient Printing House Marchi Lunch in a typical restaurant in Santarcangelo during the afternoon to the Hotel located in Riccione 10 people
VISIT TO THE VILLAGE OF SANTARCANGELO DI ROMAGNA The heart of the historic town is set on a gentle hill named Colle Giove, the Hill of Jupiter; here you can still see the distinctive layout of a mediaeval fortified village. The Middle Ages left an indelible mark on the upper part of the town, dominated by the usual fortress, a strategic defence bastion rising from the surrounding plain. In the twelfth century the village was already fortified; the Malatesta lords who governed here from the thirteenth century onwards enlarged and enriched the castle. Santarcangelo’s role as a town of the first importance, acquired in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, was consolidated still further in later times; during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the original town developed and grew, while still keeping its enviable urban harmony. Campanone Tower 19th century: although not the original tower that overlooked the oldest entrance to the first fortification (Old Campanone Gate 11th-12th century) it remains one of the town’s symbols and an unmistakable part of its skyline. Piazza delle Monache: delightful mediaeval square surrounded by fine buildings, with a rare mediaeval well and entrance to one of the most beautiful caves. Cervese Gate 14th century known as the “Salt Gate” because it leads onto the road that linked Santarcangelo and Cervia, famous for its salt marshes, it is the only remaining entrance to the second circle of city walls. Built by the Malatesta, it originally had a drawbridge, the guidelines for which can still be seen. Sferisterio This is an area below the walls where the ancient ball game “palla al bracciale” (literally “bracelet ball”) was traditionally played - it was even sung about by De Amicis. Today, exciting matches of another ball game, tamburello, have taken its place. VISIT TO THE TUFA CAVES The old town is built on a network of underground caves inside which there are circular rooms, narrow tunnels, wells and communication trenches of exceptional architectural importance. The entire hillside is criss-crossed by over 200 caves, all of which have been recorded. Despite the studies carried out, neither their origins nor their function is yet clear and many theories regarding these aspects remain. Without doubt, they form a fascinating underground city.