This scenic Roman bridge connects the end of Corso Augusto with Borgo San Giuliano, which is a medieval village that has numerous frescos with interesting murals of the life and works of Federico Fellini. The bridge was built over the River Marecchia. It is an impressive work of architecture and one of the best preserved bridges from the Roman period. It was built entirely with stone from Istri. The bridge has five arches that exemplify the technical expertise of the Romans, who built the bridge without separating the foundations of the individual pillars thus creating a unique structure that is still being used to this day.
Located beside Piazza Ferrari, the City Museum displays in more than 700 works of Rimini's 2000 years of history in 40 different galleries. The exhibition building has ancient origins itself: having been built in the 18th Century as Jesuit monastery, it was used as a hospital, first military and then civilian. In the inner courtyard there is an epigraph collection of about one hundred Roman inscription which, together with a splendid exhibit of mosaics, constitutes an important part of the archeological nucleus. On the first floor there are frescoes, ceramics and paintings on wood from the 15th and 16th Centuries that tell the story of Renaissance art, amongst them Giovanni Bellini's famous Pietà. On the second floor art and sculpture produced in Rimini between the 17th and 19th Centuries are on display and the works of local artist Guido Cagnacci can also be found.
This is considered one of the most honorable most works of the Renaissance. In reality the works for the construction of this amazing monument were based on the preceding structure of the 14th Century Romanesque-Gothic church of San Francesco. Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta began the work in 1449: the architectural part was entrusted to Matteo de' Pasti, the sculpture was the domain of Agostino di Duccio and the external architecture was the work of Leon Battistia Alberti. The architect planned a new concept in marble recladding, getting rid of all Gothic design and each decorative accent, and drawing on inspiration from the Roman Arco d'Augusto instead. The majestic façade inspired by classic Renaissance forms, even if it remains unfinished in the upper part, it is distinguished from the internal, creating an architectural contrast. One of its six inside chapels, la Cappella degli Antenati housed the Arca degli Antenati dei Discendenti work of Agostino di Duccio in which Sigismondo wanted to have united the of his ancestors and the ancient of the Casata. Giotto's crucifix of 1312 is in the temple and in the Capella delle Reliquie you can see the fresco of Piero della Francesca (1451) of Sigismondo kneeling in front of Saint Sigismondo.
The Arch of Augustus is a city-gate built in 27 BCE and is one of the oldest surviving Roman arches. The structure is unusually large compared to other Roman arches, which has lead some historians to believe the gate was not meant to be easily closed so it wasn't used for defense. This arch is featured on Rimini's coat of arms, making it an important city icon.
If you walk down the "Decumano Massimo" (nowadays Corso d'Augusto), you will come to what used to be the main Roman forum. It is the crossroads between the "Decumano" and the "Cardo Massimi". The old Piazza Giulio Cesare and Piazza delle Erbe have been renamed Piazza Tre Martiri. The new name commerates three young partisans who were executed here (Mario Cappelli, Luigi Nicolò, Adelio Pagliarani). A copy of the statue of Julius Caesar was put in the piazza when it was given to the town in 1933. The piazza also contains a Renaissance memorial stone which is called the Ara Romana. This commemorates Caesar's address to his soldiers prior to the conquest of Rome. The Sant'Antono church dates back to 1578. It has an unmistakeable octagonal shape and is surrounded by columns and faced with marble. The church was built in honor of the "miracle of the mule" which the saint is said to have perfomed here. The piazza has recently been resurfaced. This confirmed suspicions that there was a city buried underground. The piazza also has a new and attractive appearance and is lit by early 20th Century style lighting.
Dedicated to the life story and career of the Italian road racing cyclist, Marco Pantani, the Spazio Pantani is a popular museum with fans of the cyclist or even of the sport. The museum on the Romagna Champion not only takes you back in time to the start of his career, but one can also browse through the collection of a number of photographs, memorabilia and other historical artifacts. If you are keen to know more about the career of Marco Pantani, a visit to this museum is a must.
The most significant evidence of Riccione and its territory from the Prehistory to the Roman Age are preserved in this Museum. The exhibition is suitable for educational purposes and excellently arranged. The first section, complete with important fossil remains, presents the origins and evolution of life on the Earth. Then the geological structure of the territory is illustrated in all its paleontologic and petrographic aspects together with a wide range of fossil, rock and mineral remains. The reconstruction of an ancient Paleolithic environment of the Conca low valley is also worth looking at, while the first ceramics and flint artifacts document the appearance of the first sedentary settlements characterized by an agricultural and pastoral economy. The exhibition continues with the Metal age, from the copper of the Aeneolithic period to the Iron age through the various phases of the Bronze age, represented by findings brought to light in local villages. The last section is completely dedicated to the Roman conquest and civilization with findings from various farms of the territory and along the consular road Flaminia.
The village of Torriana stands on an almost bare spur of rock. It covers 25 square kilometers and has only a thousand or so inhabitants. The view of the coast from the rock has earned it the name of the "balcony of Romagna". The fort that stands on the rock is known as the "Scorticata". You can reach the village by car (about 10 kilometers) or on foot from the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Saiano. If you continue on foot, by road or on the hill paths, you can reach Montebello, a charming and still intact medieval village.
The Briolini park is in the quiet San Giuliano Mare district, between Via Brandolino and Via Ortigara in front of the Baraonda (The stretch of beach is called the Baraonda by fishermen and boat builders because it is the proposed site for Rimini's new dockyard, which will fully equipped and provide many vital services). The Park stretches over some 26,000 square meters. It is a quiet green place where all the people from Sangiuliano and tourists from hyperactive Rimini come to escape. The edge of the park is now surrounded by Rimini's palazzos, houses, hotels etc. There is a children's play area inside the park.
Located a mere 15 kilometers (nine miles) away from the city of Rimini, is the beautiful Montescudo. Essentially a quant place, this place emerges in its full glory during the Sagra della Patata, or the potato festival held there. The second week of August finds this place and its muncipaity, aglore with balzing lights and souds of happiness as tents and stalls are put up celebrating perhaps the most humble of all the veggies, THE POTATO. If you are touring Rimini during August, experiencing this celebration is sure to create a new respect for this veggie as you realise the huge variety in which it can be used.
Galleria d'arte Scarpellini is a shining example of a gallery that makes art accessible to the general public and not just to the artist community. This gallery has nourished homegrown as well as nationally renowned painters and sculptors who've come a long way ever since. Check the website for more details. Admission free for everyone.
The Piazza Rinascimento has been witnessing the past, present and progress of Urbino since the latter half of the 18th Century. Located besides the Palazzo Ducale, this square is home to an Egyptian obelisk which dates back to 580 BC.